Thin film acoustically-coupled transformer

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to an acoustically-coupled transformer. Bulk acoustic wave resonators and filters and, more particularly, bulk acoustic wave baluns used in filters and duplexers are described in <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US200301288081A1"><text>US2003/01288081 A1</text></patcit>. In one embodiment shown in Fig. 7 of this document, the balun has two identical stacks of layers, each layer stack including first, second, third, and fourth electrodes which are separated by piezoelectric layers. The first and third electrodes of the first layer stack and the second and third electrode of the second layer stack are connected to ground. The second electrode of the first layer stack is connected to the first electrode of the second layer stack and is used as the signal input end. The fourth electrode of the second layer stack is used as the first signal output end, while the fourth electrode of the first layer stack is used as the second signal output end. This double-structure provides a balun having symmetric impedance for the first and second signal output ends.

Transformers are used in many types of electronic device to perform such functions as transforming impedances, linking single-ended circuitry with balanced circuitry or vice versa and providing electrical isolation. However, not all transformers have all of these properties. For example, an auto-transformer does not provide electrical isolation.

Transformers operating at audio and radio frequencies up to VHF are commonly built as coupled primary and secondary windings around a high permeability core. The core contains the magnetic flux and increases the coupling between the windings. A transformer operable in this frequency range can also be realized using an optical-coupler. An opto-coupler used in this mode is referred to in the art as an opto-isolator.

In transformers based on coupled windings or opto-couplers, the input electrical signal is converted to a different form (i.e., a magnetic flux or photons) that interacts with an appropriate transforming structure (i.e., another winding or a light detector), and is re-constituted as an electrical signal at the output. For example, an opto-coupler converts an input electrical signal to photons using a light-emitting diode. The photons pass through an optical fiber or free space that provides isolation. A photodiode illuminated by the photons generates an output electrical signal from the photon stream. The output electrical signal is a replica of the input electrical signal

At UHF and microwave frequencies, coil-based transformers become impractical due to such factors as losses in the core, losses in the windings, capacitance between the windings, and a difficulty to make them small enough to prevent wavelength-related problems. Transformers for such frequencies are based on quarter-wavelength transmission lines, e.g., Marchand type, series input/parallel output connected lines, etc. Transformers also exist that are based on micro-machined coupled coils sets and are small enough that wavelength effects are unimportant. However such transformers have issues with high insertion loss.

All the transformers just described for use at UHF and microwave frequencies have dimensions that make them less desirable for use in modem miniature, high-density applications such as cellular telephones. Such transformers also tend to be high in cost because they are not capable of being manufactured by a batch process and because they are essentially an off-chip solution. Moreover, although such transformers typically have a bandwidth that is acceptable for use in cellular telephones, they typically have an insertion loss greater than 1 dB, which is too high.

Opto-couplers are not used at LTHF and microwave frequencies due to the junction capacitance of the input LED, non-linearities inherent in the photodetector and insufficient isolation to give good common mode rejection.

What is needed, therefore, is a transformer capable of providing one or more of the following attributes at electrical frequencies in the range from UHF to microwave: impedance transformation, coupling between balanced and unbalanced circuits and electrical isolation. What is also needed is such a transformer that has a low insertion loss, a bandwidth sufficient to accommodate the frequency range of cellular telephone RR signals, for example, a size smaller than transformers currently used in cellular telephones and a low manufacturing cost.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an acoustically-coupled transformer according to claim 1.

In a first aspect, the invention provides an acoustically-coupled transformer that comprises a stacked bulk acoustic resonator (SBAR) that has a stacked pair of film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) and an acoustic decoupler between the FBARs. Each of the FBARs has opposed planar electrodes and a layer of piezoelectric material between the electrodes. The acoustically-coupled transformer additionally comprises first terminals electrically connected to the electrodes of one of the FBARs and second terminals electrically connected to the electrodes of the other of the FBARs. The acoustically-coupled transformer has a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio, is capable of linking single-ended circuitry with balanced circuitry or vice versa and provides electrical isolation between primary and secondary.

In one embodiment, the acoustic decoupler includes a layer of acoustic decoupling material having an acoustic impedance less than that of the other materials of the FBARs. In another embodiment, the acoustic decoupler includes a Bragg structure.

In a second aspect, the invention provides an acoustically-coupled transformer that has a first stacked bulk acoustic resonator (SBAR) and a second SBAR. Each SBAR has a stacked pair of film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) and an acoustic decoupler between the FBARs. Each of the FBARs has opposed planar electrodes and a layer of piezoelectric material between the electrodes. The acoustically-coupled transformer additionally has a first electrical circuit connecting one of the FBARs of the first SBAR to one of the FBARs of the second SBAR and a second electrical circuit connecting the other of the FBARs of the first SBAR to the other of the FBARs of the second SBAR. All embodiments of the acoustically-coupled transformer are capable of linking single-ended circuitry with balanced circuitry or vice versa, and provides electrical isolation between primary and secondary.

Some embodiments of the acoustically-coupled transformer in accordance with the invention are inherently electrically balanced and have a higher common-mode rejection ratio than the above-described embodiment having the single SBAR. In such embodiments, the first electrical circuit electrically connects one of the FBARs of the first SBAR either in anti-parallel or in series with one of the FBARs of the second SBAR, and the second electrical circuit electrically connects the other of the FBARs of the first SBAR either in anti-parallel or in series with the other of the FBARs of the second SBAR. An embodiment of the acoustically-coupled transformer in which the first electrical circuit connects the respective FBARs in anti-parallel and the second electrical circuit connects the respective FBARs in anti-parallel has a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio between the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit and vice versa. An embodiment in which the first electrical circuit connects the respective FBARs in series and the second electrical circuit connects the respective FBARs in series also has a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio between the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit and vice versa. However, the impedances are higher than the embodiment in which the FBARs are connected in anti-parallel. An embodiment of the acoustically-coupled transformer in which the first electrical circuit connects the respective FBARs in anti-parallel and the second electrical circuit connects the respective FBARs in series has a 1:4 impedance transformation ratio between the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit and a 4:1 impedance transformation ratio between the second electrical circuit and the first electrical circuit. An embodiment of the acoustically-coupled transformer in which the first electrical circuit connects the respective FBARs in series and the second electrical circuit connects the respective FBARs in anti-parallel has a 4:1 impedance transformation ratio between the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit and a 1:4 impedance transformation ratio between the second electrical circuit and the first electrical circuit.

Other embodiments of the acoustically-coupled transformer in accordance with the invention are electrically unbalanced and can be used in applications in which a high common-mode rejection ratio is less important. In such embodiments, the first electrical circuit electrically connects one of the FBARs of the first SBAR either in parallel or in anti-series with one of the FBARs of the second SBAR, and the second electrical circuit electrically connects the other of the FBARs of the first SBAR either in parallel or in anti-series with the other of the FBARs of the second SBAR.

Brief Description of the Drawings

<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1A</figref> is a plan view of an example of a first embodiment of a thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer in accordance with the invention</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figures 1B and 1C</figref> are cross-sectional views of the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer along section lines 1B-1B and 1C-1C, respectively, in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1A</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 1D</figref> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the acoustically-coupled transformer shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1A</figref> along the section line 1B-1B showing a first embodiment of the acoustic decoupler.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 1E</figref> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the acoustically-coupled transformer shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1A</figref> along the section line 1B-1B showing a second embodiment of the acoustic decoupler.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> a graph showing how the calculated frequency response of embodiments of the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A-1C</figref> depends on the acoustic impedance of the acoustic decoupling material.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 3A</figref> is a plan view of an example of a second embodiment of a thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer in accordance with the invention</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figures 3B and 3C</figref> are cross-sectional views of the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer along section lines 3B-3B and 3C-3C, respectively, in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1A</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figures 4A through 4D</figref> are schematic drawings showing the electrical circuits of electrically balanced embodiments of the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figures 3A-3C</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figures 4E through 4H</figref> are schematic drawings showing the electrical circuits of electrically unbalanced embodiments of the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figures 3A-3C</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figures 5A-5J</figref> are plan views illustrating a process for making a thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer in accordance with the invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figures 5K-5S</figref> are cross-sectional views along the section lines 5K-5K, 5L-5L, 5M-5M, 5N-5N, 50-50, 5P-5P, 5Q-5Q, 5R-5R, 5S-5S and 5T-5T in <figref idref="f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figures 5A-5J</figref>, respectively.</li></ul>

Detailed Description

<figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A</figref>, <figref idref="f0001 f0002">1</figref> Band 1 C show a plan view and two cross-sectional views, respectively, of a first embodiment 100 of a thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer in accordance with the invention. Transformer 100 has a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio, is capable of linking single-ended circuitry with balanced circuitry or vice versa and provides electrical isolation between primary and secondary.

Transformer 100 is composed of a stacked bulk acoustic resonator (SBAR) 106, first terminals 132 and 134 and second terminals 136 and 138. SBAR 106 is composed of a stacked pair of film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) 110 and 120 and an acoustic decoupler 130 between them. In the example shown, FBAR 120 is stacked atop FBAR 110. FBAR 110 is composed of opposed planar electrodes 112 and 114 and a layer of piezoelectric material 116 between the electrodes. FBAR 120 is composed of opposed planar electrodes 122 and 124 and a layer of piezoelectric material 126 between the electrodes. Acoustic decoupler 130 is located between electrode 114 of FBAR 110 and electrode 122 of FBAR 120. The acoustic decoupler controls the coupling of acoustic energy between FBARs 110 and 120.

In the example shown, first terminals 132 and 134 are structured as bonding pads electrically connected by electrical traces 133 and 135, respectively, to electrodes 112 and 114, respectively, of FBAR 110. Also in the example shown, second terminals 136 and 138 are structured as bonding pads electrically connected by electrical traces 137 and 139, respectively, to electrodes 122 and 124, respectively, of FBAR 120. In an embodiment, first terminals 132 and 134 constitute the primary terminals and the second terminals 136 and 138 constitute the secondary terminals of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100. In an alternative embodiment, first terminals 132 and 134 constitute the secondary terminals and second terminals 136 and 138 constitute the primary terminals of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100.

In the example shown, SBAR 106 is suspended over a cavity 104 defined in a substrate 102. Suspending the SBAR over a cavity allows the FBARs of the SBAR to resonate mechanically. Other suspension schemes that allow the FBARs to resonate mechanically are possible. For example, the SBAR can be located over a mismatched acoustic Bragg reflector (not shown) formed in or on substrate 102, as disclosed by Lakin in <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US6107721A"><text>United States patent no. 6,107,721</text></patcit>, the disclosure of which is incorporated into this disclosure by reference.

FBARs are disclosed by Ruby et al. in <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US5587620A"><text>United States patent no. 5,587,620</text></patcit> entitled <i>Tunable Thin Film Acoustic Resonators and Method of Making Same,</i> now assigned to the assignee of this disclosure and incorporated in this disclosure by reference. Ruby's disclosure also discloses a stacked film bulk acoustic resonator (SBAR) composed of two layers of piezoelectric material interleaved with three planar electrodes. Ruby's SBAR can be regarded as being composed of a stacked pair of FBARs in which one electrode is common to both FBARs, and will be referred to as a common-electrode SBAR. The common electrode renders the common-electrode SBAR incapable of linking balanced to unbalanced circuits and vice versa and of providing electrical isolation between primary and secondary. Moreover, the common electrode SBAR exhibits an extremely narrow pass bandwidth that makes it unsuitable for use in most applications. The narrow pass bandwidth is the result of the common electrode, which over couples acoustic energy between the FBARs.

As noted above, in transformer 100 in accordance with the invention, acoustic decoupler 130 controls the coupling of acoustic energy between stacked FBARs 110 and 120 and additionally electrically isolates FBAR 110 from FBAR 120. The electrical isolation provided by acoustic decoupler 130 enables transformer 100 to link balanced to unbalanced circuits and vice versa and provides electrical isolation between primary and secondary. The acoustic coupling provided by acoustic decoupler 130 is substantially less than the acoustic coupling between the FBARs in the common electrode SBAR referred to above. As a result, FBARs 110 and 120 are not over coupled, and transformer 100 has a relatively flat response in the pass band, as will be described below with reference to <figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref>.

The embodiment of the acoustic decoupler 130 shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A-1C</figref> is a first embodiment composed of layer 131 of acoustic decoupling material located between the electrodes 114 and 122 of FBARs 110 and 120, respectively. <figref idref="f0002">Figure 1D</figref> is an enlarged view showing this first embodiment of the acoustic decoupler in more detail. Important properties of the acoustic decoupling material of layer 131 that constitutes acoustic decoupler 130 are an acoustic impedance less than that of the materials of FBARs 110, 120, a high electrical resistivity, a low dielectric permittivity and a nominal thickness that is an odd integral multiple of one quarter of the wavelength in the acoustic decoupling material of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of acoustically-coupled transformer 100.

The acoustic decoupling material of acoustic decoupler 130 has an acoustic impedance less that of the materials of FBARs 110 and 120 and substantially greater than that of air. The acoustic impedance of a material is the ratio of stress to particle velocity in the material and is measured in Rayleighs, abbreviated as <i>rayl</i>. The materials of the FBARs are typically aluminum nitride (AlN) as the material of piezoelectric layers 116, 126 and molybdenum (Mo) as the material of electrodes 112, 114, 122 and 124. The acoustic impedances of the materials of the FBARs are typically greater than 30 Mrayl (35 Mrayl for AIN and 63 Mrayl for Mo) and the acoustic impedance of air is about 1 krayl. In embodiments of transformer 100 in which the materials of FBARs 110, 120 are as stated above, materials with an acoustic impedance in the range from about 2 Mrayl to about 16 Mrayl work well as the acoustic coupling material of acoustic decoupler 130.

<figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> is a graph showing how the calculated frequency response of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 depends on the acoustic impedance of the acoustic decoupling material of layer 131 that constitutes the first embodiment of acoustic decoupler 130. The embodiment illustrated has a center frequency of about 1,900 MHz. Calculated frequency responses for embodiments in which the acoustic decoupling material of the acoustic decoupler has acoustic impedances of about 4 Mrayl (polyimide―curve 140), 8 Mrayl (curve 142) and 16 Mrayl (curve 144) are shown. It can be seen that the bandwidth of transformer 100 increases with increasing acoustic impedance of the acoustic decoupling material. In the embodiment in which the acoustic impedance is 16 Mrayl, the resonances of the FBARs are over coupled, which causes the characteristic double peak in the pass band response.

The embodiment of acoustic decoupler 130 shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1B, 1C</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">1D</figref> is composed of layer 131 of acoustic decoupling material with a nominal thickness equal to one quarter of the wavelength in the acoustic decoupling material of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the transformer's pass band, i.e., <i>t</i> ≈ λ<i>_n</i>/4, where <i>t</i> is the thickness of the layer 131 of acoustic decoupling material that constitutes acoustic decoupler 130 and λ<i>_n</i> is the wavelength in the acoustic decoupling material of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of transformer 100. A thickness of layer 131 within approximately ± 10% of the nominal thickness can alternatively be used. A thickness outside this range can alternatively be used with some degradation in performance. However, the thickness of layer 131 should differ significantly from 0λ<i>_n</i> at one extreme and λ<i>_n</i>/2 at the other extreme.

More generally, the first embodiment of acoustic decoupler 130 shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figure 1D</figref> is composed of layer 131 of acoustic decoupling material with a nominal thickness equal to an odd integral multiple of one quarter of the wavelength in the acoustic decoupling material of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of transformer 100, i.e., <i>t</i> ≈ (2<i>m</i> + 1)λ<i>_n</i>/4, where <i>t</i> and λ<i>_n</i> are as defined above and <i>m</i> is an integer equal to or greater than zero. In this case, a thickness of layer 131 that differs from the nominal thickness by approximately ± 10% of λ<i>_n</i>/4 can alternatively be used. A thickness tolerance outside this range can be used with some degradation in performance, but the thickness of layer 131 should differ significantly from an integral multiple of λ<i>_n</i>/2.

Many plastic materials have acoustic impedances in the range stated above and can be applied in layers of uniform thickness in the thickness ranges stated above. Such plastic materials are therefore potentially suitable for use as the acoustic decoupling material of layer 131 of acoustic decoupler 130. However, the acoustic decoupling material must also be capable of withstanding the temperatures of the fabrication operations performed after layer 131 of acoustic decoupling material has been deposited on electrode 114 to form acoustic decoupler 130. As will be described in more detail below, in practical embodiments of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100, electrodes 122 and 124 and piezoelectric layer 126 are deposited by sputtering after layer 131 has been deposited. Temperatures as high as 300 °C are reached during these deposition processes. Thus, a plastic that remains stable at such temperatures is used as the acoustic decoupling material.

Plastic materials typically have a very high acoustical attenuation per unit length compared with the other materials of FBARs 110 and 120. However, since the above-described embodiment of acoustic decoupler 130 is composed of layer 131 of plastic acoustic decoupling material typically less than 1 µm thick, the acoustic attenuation introduced by layer 131 is typically negligible.

In one embodiment, a polyimide is used as the acoustic decoupling material of layer 131. Polyimide is sold under the trademark Kapton® by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. In such embodiment, acoustic decoupler 130 is composed of layer 131 of polyimide applied to electrode 114 by spin coating. Polyimide has an acoustic impedance of about 4 Mrayl. In another embodiment, a poly(para-xylylene) is used as the acoustic decoupling material of layer 131. In such embodiment, acoustic decoupler 130 is composed of layer 131 of poly(para-xylylene) applied to electrode 114 by vacuum deposition. Poly(para-xylylene) is also known in the art as parylene. The dimer precursor di-para-xylylene from which parylene is made and equipment for performing vacuum deposition of layers of parylene are available from many suppliers. Parylene has an acoustic impedance of about 2.8 Mrayl.

In an alternative embodiment, the acoustic decoupling material of layer 131 constituting acoustic decoupler 130 has an acoustic impedance substantially greater than the materials of FBARs 110 and 120. No materials having this property are known at this time, but such materials may become available in future, or lower acoustic impedance FBAR materials may become available in future. The thickness of layer 131 of such high acoustic impedance acoustic decoupling material is as described above.

<figref idref="f0002">Figure 1E</figref> is an enlarged view of part of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 showing a second embodiment of acoustic decoupler 130 that incorporates a Bragg structure 161. Bragg structure 161 is composed of a low acoustic impedance Bragg element 163 sandwiched between high acoustic impedance Bragg elements 165 and 167. Low acoustic impedance Bragg element 163 is a layer of a low acoustic impedance material whereas high acoustic impedance Bragg elements 165 and 167 are each a layer of high acoustic impedance material. The acoustic impedances of the Bragg elements are characterized as "low" and "high" with respect to one another and additionally with respect to the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric material of layers 116 and 126. At least one of the Bragg elements additionally has a high electrical resistivity and a low dielectric permittivity to provide electrical isolation between input and output of transformer 100.

Each of the layers constituting Bragg elements 161, 163 and 165 has a nominal thickness equal to an odd integral multiple of one quarter of the wavelength in the material the layer of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of transformer 100. Layers that differ from the nominal thickness by approximately ± 10% of one quarter of the wavelength can alternatively be used. A thickness tolerance outside this range can be used with some degradation in performance, but the thickness of the layers should differ significantly from an integral multiple of one-half of the wavelength.

In an embodiment, low acoustic impedance Bragg element 163 is a layer of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), which has an acoustic impedance of about 13 Mrayl, and each of the high acoustic impedance Bragg elements 165 and 167 is a layer of the same material as electrodes 114 and 122, respectively, i.e., molybdenum, which has an acoustic impedance of about 63 Mrayl. Using the same material for high acoustic impedance Bragg elements 165 and 167 and electrodes 114 and 122, respectively, of FBARs 110 and 120, respectively, allows high acoustic impedance Bragg elements 165 and 167 additionally to serve as electrodes 114 and 122, respectively.

In an example, high acoustic impedance Bragg elements 165 and 167 have a nominal thickness equal to one quarter of the wavelength in molybdenum of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of transformer 100, and low acoustic impedance Bragg element 163 had a nominal thickness equal to three quarters of the wavelength in SiO₂ of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of the transformer. Using a three-quarter wavelength-thick layer of SiO₂ instead of a one-quarter wavelength thick layer of SiO₂ as low acoustic impedance Bragg element 163 reduces the capacitance between FBARs 110 and 120.

In embodiments in which the acoustic impedance difference between high acoustic impedance Bragg elements 165 and 167 and low acoustic impedance Bragg element 163 is relatively low, Bragg structure 161 may be composed of more than one (e.g., <i>n</i>) low acoustic impedance Bragg element interleaved with a corresponding number (i.e., <i>n</i> + 1) of high acoustic impedance Bragg elements. Only one of the Bragg elements need be insulating. For example, the Bragg structure may be composed of two low acoustic impedance Bragg element interleaved with three high acoustic impedance Bragg elements.

Wafer-scale fabrication is used to fabricate thin-film acoustically-coupled transformers similar to thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 thousands at a time. Wafer-scale fabrication makes each thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer inexpensive to fabricate. Thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 can be made using a fabrication method similar to that to be described below with reference to <figref idref="f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figures 5A-5T</figref>. Accordingly, a method of fabricating thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 will not be separately described.

Referring again to <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A-1C</figref>, to use thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100, electrical connections are made to first terminals 132 and 134 electrically connected to electrodes 112 and 114, respectively, as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A and 1B</figref> and electrical connections are additionally made to second terminals 136 and 138 electrically connected to electrodes 122 and 124, respectively, as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A and 1C</figref>. The electrical connections to first terminals 132 and 134 provide electrical connections to the primary of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 and the electrical connections to second terminals 136 and 138 provide electrical connections to the secondary of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical connections to second terminals 136 and 138 provide electrical connections to the primary of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 and the electrical connections to first terminals 132 and 134 provide electrical connections to the secondary of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100.

In operation of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100, an input electrical signal applied to first terminals 132 and 134, which constitute the primary terminals of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100, establishes a voltage difference between electrodes 112 and 114 of FBAR 110. The voltage difference between electrodes 112 and 114 mechanically deforms FBAR 110 at the frequency of the input electrical signal. Depending on the frequency of the input electrical signal, acoustic decoupler 130 couples all or part of the acoustic energy resulting from the mechanical deformation of FBAR 110 to FBAR 120. The acoustic energy received from FBAR 110 mechanically deforms FBAR 120 at the frequency of the input electrical signal. The mechanical deformation of FBAR 120 generates a voltage difference between electrodes 122 and 124 at the frequency of the input electrical signal. The voltage difference is output at second terminals 136 and 138, which constitute the secondary terminals of transformer 100, as an output electrical signal. Piezoelectricity is a linear effect, so the amplitude and phase of the input electrical signal applied to the first terminals is preserved in the output electrical signal output at the second terminals.

An embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 in which second terminals 136 and 138 constitute the primary terminals and first terminals 132 and 134 constitute the secondary terminals operates similarly, except acoustic energy propagates through acoustic decoupler 130 from FBAR 120 to FBAR 110.

As noted above, thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 provides a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio, is capable of linking single-ended circuitry with balanced circuitry or vice versa and provides electrical isolation between primary and secondary. However, the capacitance between electrode 112 and substrate 102 differs from that between electrode 114 and the substrate. As a result, thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 is not perfectly balanced electrically and can have an insufficient common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) for certain applications.

<figref idref="f0003">Figures 3A-3C</figref> show a plan view and two cross-sectional views, respectively, of a second embodiment 200 of a thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer in accordance with the invention. Acoustically-coupled transformer 200 is capable of linking single-ended circuitry with balanced circuitry or vice versa, provides electrical isolation between primary and secondary. Some embodiments of transformer 200 are electrically balanced, and therefore have a high common-mode rejection ratio: other embodiments are electrically unbalanced and have a lower common-mode rejection ratio. Acoustically-coupled transformer 200 has an impedance transformation ratio of 1:1, 1:4 or 4:1 depending on the configurations of the electrical circuits that form part of the transformer.

Acoustically-coupled transformer 200 is composed of two stacked bulk acoustic resonators (SBARs) 206 and 208. Each SBAR is composed of a stacked pair of film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) and an acoustic decoupler between the FBARs. Transformer 200 is additionally composed of an electrical circuit that connects one of the FBARs of SBAR 206 to one of the FBARs of SBAR 208, and an electrical circuit that connects the other of the FBARs of SBAR 206 to the other of the FBARs of SBAR 208.

SBAR 206 is composed of a stacked pair of FBARs 210 and 220 and an acoustic decoupler 230 between them. SBAR 208 is composed of a stacked pair of FBARs 250 and 260 and an acoustic decoupler 270 between them. In the example shown, FBAR 220 is stacked atop FBAR 210 and FBAR 260 is stacked atop FBAR 250. FBAR 210 is composed of opposed planar electrodes 212 and 214 and a layer of piezoelectric material 216 between the electrodes. FBAR 220 is composed of opposed planar electrodes 222 and 224 and a layer of piezoelectric material 226 between the electrodes. FBAR 250 is composed of opposed planar electrodes 252 and 254 and a layer of piezoelectric material 256 between the electrodes. FBAR 260 is composed of opposed planar electrodes 262 and 264 and a layer of piezoelectric material 266 between the electrodes.

As noted above, an electrical circuit connects one of the FBARs of SBAR 206 to one of the FBARs of SBAR 208, and an electrical circuit connects the other of the FBARs of SBAR 206 to the other of the FBARs of SBAR 206. Each electrical circuit electrically connects the respective FBARs in any one of a parallel, a series, an anti-parallel and an anti-series configuration. Of the sixteen possible combinations of the parallel, series, anti-parallel and anti-series electrical circuit configurations, only eight produce a working transformer. The combination of electrical circuit configurations connecting the FBARs determines whether the transformer is electrically balanced (high common-mode rejection ratio) or electrically unbalanced, and determines the impedance transformation ratio of the transformer, i.e., 1:1, 1:4 or 4:1. The possible combinations of electrical circuit configurations are summarized in Table 1 below: <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><title>Table 1</title><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="21mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="16mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="14mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="17mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="21mm" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry /><entry>Parallel</entry><entry>Series</entry><entry>Anti-par.</entry><entry>Anti-series</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Parallel</entry><entry>U 1:1</entry><entry>X</entry><entry>X</entry><entry>U 1:4</entry></row><row><entry>Series</entry><entry>X</entry><entry>B 1:1</entry><entry>B 4:1</entry><entry>X</entry></row><row><entry>Anti-par.</entry><entry>X</entry><entry>B 1:4</entry><entry>B 1:1</entry><entry>X</entry></row><row><entry>Anti-series</entry><entry>U 4:1</entry><entry>X</entry><entry>X</entry><entry>U 1:1</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

In Table 1, the row captions indicate the configuration of one of the electrical circuits, e.g., electrical circuit 245 described below with reference to <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref>, the column captions indicate the configuration of the other of the electrical circuits, e.g., electrical circuit 246 described with reference to <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref>, <i>B</i> denotes that the transformer is electrically balanced, <i>U</i> denotes that the transformer is unbalanced, <i>and X</i> denotes a non-functioning transformer. The impedance transformation ratio shown is the impedance transformation from electrical terminals connected to the electrical circuit indicated by the row caption to electrical terminals connected to the electrical circuit indicated by the column caption.

The electrical circuits shown in Table 1 are subject to the constraint that an electrical circuit may only connect the electrodes of FBARs at the same level as one another in SBARs 206 and 208, i.e., one of the electrical circuits may only connect the electrodes of FBARs 210 and 250 and the other of the electrical circuits may only connect the electrodes of FBARs 220 and 260. Table 1 additionally assumes that the c-axes of piezoelectric layers 216, 226, 256 and 266 are all oriented in the same direction. More electrical circuits are possible in embodiments not subject to the constraint, e.g., in embodiments in which an electrical circuit is allowed to connect the electrodes of FBARs 210 and 260 and the electrodes of FBARs 220 and 250, and/or the assumption.

Before the electrical circuits interconnecting the FBARs are described in detail, the terms <i>anti-parallel, parallel, anti-series and series</i> as applied to the electrical circuits connecting the electrodes of FBARs of different SBARs will be defined. An FBAR is a polarity-dependent device. A voltage of a given polarity applied between the electrodes of the FBAR will cause the FBAR to contract mechanically while the same voltage of the opposite polarity will cause the FBAR to expand mechanically by the same amount. Similarly, a mechanical stress applied to the FBAR that causes the FBAR to contract mechanically will generate a voltage of the given polarity between the electrodes of the FBAR whereas a mechanical stress that causes the FBAR to expand mechanically will generate a voltage of the opposite polarity between the electrodes of the FBAR.

Referring to <figref idref="f0004">Figures 4A-4D</figref>, in acoustically-coupled transformer 200, the electrodes of the FBARs that an electrical circuit connects in parallel are at the same level in the respective SBARs. A signal applied to the FBARs connected in parallel produces signals of the same phase across the FBARs. The FBARs therefore expand and contract in phase, and generate acoustic energy in phase. On the other hand, electrodes of the FBARs that an electrical circuit connects in anti-parallel are at different levels in the respective SBARs. A signal applied to FBARs connected in anti-parallel produces signals of the opposite phases across the FBARs. The FBARs therefore expand and contract in antiphase, and generate acoustic energy in antiphase.

The electrodes of the FBARs that an electrical circuit connects in series are at the same level in the respective SBARs. A signal applied to the FBARs connected in series produces signals of opposite phases across the FBARs. The FBARs expand and contract in antiphase, and generate acoustic energy in antiphase. On the other hand, the electrodes of the FBARs that an electrical circuit connects in anti-series are at different levels in the respective SBARs. A signal applied to the FBARs connected in anti-series produces signals of the same phase across the FBARs. The FBARs expand and contract in phase and generate acoustic energy in phase.

FBARs receiving acoustic energy that causes them to expand and contract in phase generate signals in phase. Connecting FBARs that generate signals in phase in parallel produces a signal level equal to that across the individual FBARs and an impedance of one-half the characteristic impedance of the individual FBARs. Connecting such FBARs in anti-series produces a signal level of twice that across the individual FBARs and an impedance of twice the characteristic impedance of the individual FBARs. However, connecting FBARs that generate signals in phase in anti-parallel or in series causes the signals to cancel. FBARs receiving acoustic energy that causes them to expand and contract in antiphase generate signals in antiphase. Connecting FBARs that generate signals in antiphase in antiparallel produces a signal equal in level to that across the individual FBARs and an impedance of one-half the characteristic impedance of the individual FBARs. Connecting such FBARs in series produces a signal of twice the level of that across the individual FBARs and an impedance of twice the characteristic impedance of the individual FBARs. However, connecting FBARs that generate signals in antiphase in parallel or in antiseries causes the signals to cancel. The transformers indicated in Table 1 as being non-functional are transformers in which the FBARs that receive acoustic energy generate signals that cancel.

<figref idref="f0004">Figures 4A and 4B</figref> schematically illustrate two configurations of electrical circuits that connect the FBARs 210 and 220 of SBAR 206 and the FBARs 250 and 260 of SBAR 208 in anti-parallel or in series, respectively, to form respective electrically-balanced embodiments of an acoustically-coupled transformer having a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio.

<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4A</figref> shows an electrical circuit 241 electrically connecting one of the FBARs of SBAR 206 in anti-parallel with one of the FBARs of SBAR 208 and to first terminals F and an electrical circuit 242 electrically connecting the other of the FBARs of SBAR 206 in anti-parallel with the other of the FBARs of SBAR 208 and to second terminals S. In the example shown, the electrical circuit 241 electrically connects FBAR 220 of SBAR 206 in anti-parallel with FBAR 260 of SBAR 208 and to first terminals F, and electrical circuit 242 electrically connects FBAR 210 of SBAR 206 in anti-parallel with FBAR 250 of SBAR 208 and to second terminals S.

Specifically, electrical circuit 241 electrically connects electrode 222 of FBAR 220 to electrode 264 of FBAR 260 and to one of the first terminals F and additionally electrically connects electrode 224 of FBAR 220 to electrode 262 of FBAR 260 and to the other of the first terminals F. Electrical circuit 242 electrically connects electrode 214 of FBAR 210 to electrode 252 of FBAR 250 and to one of the second terminals S and additionally electrically connects electrode 212 of FBAR 210 to electrode 254 of FBAR 250 and to the other of the second terminals S.

Electrical circuit 241 electrically connects FBARs 220 and 260 in anti-parallel so that an input electrical signal applied to the first terminals F is applied equally but in antiphase to FBARs 220 and 260. Electrical circuit 241 electrically connects FBARs 220 and 260 in anti-parallel in the sense that an electrical signal applied to first terminals F that causes FBAR 220 to contract mechanically additionally causes FBAR 260 to expand mechanically by the same amount, and vice versa. The acoustic energy generated by FBAR 260 is therefore in antiphase with the acoustic energy generated by FBAR 220. Consequently, the acoustic energy received by FBAR 250 from FBAR 260 is in antiphase with the acoustic energy received by FBAR 210 from FBAR 220, and the signal between electrodes 214 and 212 is in antiphase with the signal between electrodes 254 and 252. Electrical circuit 242 connects FBARs 210 and 250 in anti-parallel, so that the signal output to the second terminals S is in phase with the signal between electrodes 214 and 212 and also with the signal between electrodes 254 and 252. As a result, the signal between second terminals S is the same as the signal across either of FBARs 210 and 250.

Substantially the same capacitance exists between each of the first terminals F and substrate 202. Each first terminal has connected to it one electrode closer to the substrate and one electrode further from the substrate. In the example shown, one first terminal has electrode 222 closer to the substrate and electrode 264 further from the substrate connected to it and the other first terminal has electrode 262 closer to the substrate and electrode 224 further from the substrate connected to it. Moreover, substantially the same capacitance exists between each of the second terminals S and substrate 202. Each second terminal has connected to it one electrode closer to the substrate and one electrode further from the substrate. In the example shown, one second terminal has electrode 212 closer to the substrate and electrode 254 further from the substrate connected to it and the other second terminal has electrode 252 closer to the substrate and electrode 214 further from the substrate connected to it. Thus, the embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4A</figref> is electrically balanced and, as a result, has a common-mode rejection ratio sufficiently high for many more applications than the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 described above with reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A-1C</figref>.

The embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4A</figref> has a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio. First terminals F may serve as the primary terminals or the secondary terminals of the transformer and second terminals P may serve as the secondary terminals or the primary terminals, respectively, of the transformer. An input electrical signal applied to the primary terminals is output at substantially the same level at the secondary terminals. In a typical embodiment in which all of the FBARs 210, 220, 250 and 260 have a similar characteristic impedance, the impedance seen at the primary terminals and at the secondary terminals is that of two FBARs in parallel, i.e., one half of the typical characteristic impedance of a single FBAR. Thus, the embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4A</figref> is suitable for use in relatively low characteristic impedance applications.

<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4B</figref> schematically shows an electrical circuit 243 electrically connecting one of the FBARs of SBAR 206 and one of the FBARs of SBAR 208 in series between first terminals F and an electrical circuit 244 electrically connecting the other of the FBARs of SBAR 206 and the other of the FBARs of SBAR 208 in series between second terminals S. In the example shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4B</figref>, electrical circuit 243 electrically connects FBAR 220 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 260 of SBAR 208 in series between first terminals F, and electrical circuit 244 electrically connects FBAR 210 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 250 of SBAR 208 in series between second terminals S.

Specifically, electrical circuit 243 electrically connects electrode 222 of FBAR 220 to electrode 262 of FBAR 260 and additionally electrically connects electrode 224 of FBAR 220 to one of the first terminals F and electrically connects electrode 264 of FBAR 260 to the other of the first terminals F. In a variation, electrical circuit 243 electrically connects electrode 224 of FBAR 220 to electrode 264 of FBAR 260 and additionally electrically connects electrode 222 of FBAR 220 and electrode 262 of FBAR 260 to first terminals F. Electrical circuit 244 electrically connects electrode 212 of FBAR 210 to electrode 252 of FBAR 250 and additionally electrically connects electrode 214 of FBAR 210 to one of the second terminals S and additionally electrically connects electrode 254 of FBAR 250 to the other of the second terminals S. In a variation, electrical circuit 244 electrically connects electrode 214 of FBAR 210 to electrode 254 of FBAR 250 and additionally electrically connects electrode 212 of FBAR 210 and electrode 252 of FBAR 250 to second terminals S.

Electrical circuit 243 electrically connecting FBARs 220 and 260 in series divides an input electrical signal applied to the first terminals F approximately equally between FBARs 220 and 260. FBARs 220 and 260 are connected in series in the sense that an electrical signal applied to first terminals F that causes FBAR 220 to contract mechanically causes FBAR 260 to expand mechanically by the same amount, and vice versa. The acoustic energy generated by FBAR 260 is therefore in antiphase with the acoustic energy generated by FBAR 220. The acoustic energy received by FBAR 250 from FBAR 260 is in antiphase with the acoustic energy received by FBAR 210 from FBAR 220 and the signal on electrode 254 is in antiphase with the signal on electrode 214. Electrical circuit 244 electrically connects FBARs 210 and 250 in series so that the signal at second terminals S is twice the signal across either of FBARs 210 and 250.

Substantially the same capacitance exists between each of the first terminals F and substrate 202. Electrodes 224 and 264 connected to the first terminals are at the same distance from the substrate. Moreover, substantially the same capacitance exists between each of the second terminals S and substrate 202. Electrodes 214 and 254 connected to the second terminals are at the same distance from the substrate. Thus, the embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4B</figref> is electrically balanced and, as a result, has a common-mode rejection ratio sufficiently high for many more applications than the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 described above with reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A-1C</figref>.

The embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4B</figref> has a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio. First terminals F may serve as the primary terminals or the secondary terminals of the transformer and second terminals P may serve as the secondary terminals or the primary terminals, respectively, of the transformer. An input electrical signal applied to the primary terminals is output at substantially the same level at the secondary terminals. In a typical embodiment in which all of the FBARs 210, 220, 250 and 260 have a similar characteristic impedance, the impedance seen at the primary terminals and at the secondary terminals is that of two FBARs in series, i.e., twice the typical characteristic impedance of a single FBAR. Thus, the embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4B</figref> is suitable for use in higher characteristic impedance applications than that shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4A</figref>.

<figref idref="f0004">Figures 4C and 4D</figref> schematically illustrate two configurations of electrical circuits that connect the FBARs 210 and 220 of SBAR 206 and the FBARs 250 and 260 of SBAR 208 in anti-parallel and in series to form respective embodiments of an acoustically-coupled transformer having a 1:4 or 4:1 impedance transformation ratio. <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref> shows an electrical circuit 245 electrically connecting one of the FBARs of SBAR 206 in anti-parallel with one of the FBARs of SBAR 208 and to first terminals F and an electrical circuit 246 electrically connecting the other of the FBARs of SBAR 206 and the other of the FBARs of SBAR 208 in series between second terminals S. In the example shown, the electrical circuit 245 electrically connects FBAR 220 of SBAR 206 in anti-parallel with FBAR 260 of SBAR 208 and to first terminals P, and electrical circuit 246 electrically connects FBAR 210 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 250 of SBAR 208 in series between second terminals S.

Specifically, electrical circuit 245 electrically connects electrode 222 of FBAR 220 to electrode 264 of FBAR 260 and to one of the first terminals F, and additionally electrically connects electrode 224 of FBAR 220 to electrode 262 of FBAR 260 and to the other of the first terminals F. Electrical circuit 246 electrically connects electrode 214 of FBAR 210 to electrode 254 of FBAR 250 and additionally electrically connects electrode 212 of FBAR 210 to one of the second terminals S and electrode 252 of FBAR 250 to the other of the second terminals S. In a variation, electrical circuit 246 electrically connects electrode 212 of FBAR 210 to electrode 252 of FBAR 250 and additionally electrically connects electrode 214 of FBAR 210 and electrode 254 of FBAR 250 to second terminals S.

Electrical circuit 245 electrically connects FBARs 220 and 260 in anti-parallel so that an input electrical signal applied to the first terminals F is applied equally but in antiphase to FBARs 220 and 260. Electrical circuit 245 electrically connects FBARs 220 and 260 in anti-parallel in the sense that an electrical signal applied to first terminals F that causes FBAR 220 to contract mechanically additionally causes FBAR 260 to expand mechanically by the same amount, and vice versa. The acoustic energy generated by FBAR 260 is therefore in antiphase with the acoustic energy generated by FBAR 220. Consequently, the acoustic energy received by FBAR 250 from FBAR 260 is in antiphase with the acoustic energy received by FBAR 210 from FBAR 220, and the signal on electrode 252 is in antiphase with the signal on electrode 212. Electrical circuit 246 connects FBARs 210 and 250 in series so that the voltage difference between second terminals S is twice the voltage across either of FBARs 210 and 250.

Substantially the same capacitance exists between each of the first terminals F and substrate 202. Each first terminal has connected to it one electrode closer to the substrate and one electrode further from the substrate. In the example shown, one first terminal has electrode 222 closer to the substrate and electrode 264 further from the substrate connected to it and the other first terminal has electrode 262 closer to the substrate and electrode 224 further from the substrate connected to it. Moreover, substantially the same capacitance exists between each of the second terminals S and substrate 202. Electrodes 212 and 252 connected to the second terminals are at the same distance from the substrate. Thus, the embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref> is electrically balanced and, as a result, has a common-mode rejection ratio sufficiently high for many more applications than the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 described above with reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A-1C</figref>.

The embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref> is a step-up transformer when first terminals F serve as primary terminals and second terminals S serve as secondary terminals. A signal applied to the primary terminals is output at twice the level at the secondary terminals. Also, in a typical embodiment in which all of the FBARs 210, 220, 250 and 260 have a similar characteristic impedance, the impedance seen at the primary terminals is that of two FBARs in parallel, i.e., one half of the typical characteristic impedance of a single FBAR, whereas the impedance seen at the secondary terminals is that of two FBARs in series, i.e., twice the typical characteristic impedance of a single FBAR. Thus, the embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 illustrated in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref> has a 1:4 primary-to-secondary impedance ratio.

The embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref> is a step-down transformer when first terminals F serve as secondary terminals and second terminals S serve as primary terminals. In this case, the signal output at the secondary terminals is one-half the level of the input electrical signal applied to the primary terminals, and the primary-to-secondary impedance ratio is 4:1.

<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4D</figref> schematically shows an electrical circuit 247 electrically connecting FBAR 220 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 260 of SBAR 208 in series between first terminals F, and an electrical circuit 248 electrically connecting FBAR 210 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 250 of SBAR 208 in anti-parallel and to second terminals S.

Specifically, electrical circuit 247 electrically connects electrode 222 of FBAR 220 to electrode 262 of FBAR 260 and additionally electrically connects electrode 224 of FBAR 220 and electrode 264 of FBAR 260 to first terminals F. Electrical circuit 248 electrically connects electrode 212 of FBAR 210 to electrode 254 of FBAR 250 and to one of the second terminals S, and additionally electrically connects electrode 214 of FBAR 210 to electrode 252 of FBAR 250 and to the other of the second terminals S. In a variation, electrical circuit 247 electrically connects electrode 224 of FBAR 220 to electrode 264 of FBAR 260 and additionally electrically connects electrode 222 of FBAR 220 and electrode 262 of FBAR 260 to first terminals F.

Electrical circuit 247 electrically connecting FBARs 220 and 260 in series divides an input electrical signal applied to the first terminals F approximately equally between FBARs 220 and 260. FBARs 220 and 260 are connected in series in the sense that an electrical signal applied to first terminals F that causes FBAR 220 to contract mechanically causes FBAR 260 to expand mechanically by the same amount, and vice versa. The acoustic energy generated by FBAR 260 is therefore in antiphase with the acoustic energy generated by FBAR 220. The acoustic energy received by FBAR 250 from FBAR 260 is in antiphase with the acoustic energy received by FBAR 210 from FBAR 220 and the voltage between electrodes 252 and 254 is in antiphase with the voltage between electrodes 212 and 214. Electrical circuit 248 electrically connects FBARs 210 and 250 in anti-parallel, so that the signal output at the second terminals S is in phase with the signal across electrodes 214 and 212 and also with the signal across electrodes 254 and 252. As a result, the signal at second terminals S is equal in level to the signal across either of FBARs 210 and 250, and is equal to one-half the level of the input electrical signal applied to first terminals F.

Substantially the same capacitance exists between each of the first terminals F and substrate 202. Electrodes 224 and 264 connected to the first terminals are the at same distance from the substrate. Moreover, substantially the same capacitance exists between each of the second terminals S and substrate 202. Each second terminal has connected to it one electrode closer to the substrate and one electrode further from the substrate. In the example shown, one second terminal has electrode 212 closer to the substrate and electrode 254 further from the substrate connected to it and the other second terminal has electrode 252 closer to the substrate and electrode 214 further from the substrate connected to it. Thus, the embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4D</figref> is electrically balanced and, as a result, has a common-mode rejection ratio sufficiently high for many more applications than the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 described above with reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A-1C</figref>.

The embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4D</figref> is a step-down transformer when first terminals F serve as primary terminals and second terminals S serve as secondary terminals. The signal level output at the secondary terminals is one-half that of the input electrical signal applied to the primary terminals. Also, in a typical embodiment in which all of the FBARs 210, 220, 250 and 260 have a similar characteristic impedance, the impedance seen at the primary terminals is that of two FBARs in series, i.e., twice the typical characteristic impedance of a single FBAR, whereas the impedance seen at the secondary terminals is that of two FBARs in parallel, i.e., one-half of the typical characteristic impedance of a single FBAR. Thus, the embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 illustrated in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4D</figref> has a 4:1 primary-to-secondary impedance ratio.

The embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4D</figref> is a step-up transformer when first terminals F serve as secondary terminals and second terminals S serve as primary terminals. In this case, the signal level output at the secondary terminals is twice that of the input electrical signal applied to the primary terminals, and the primary-to-secondary impedance ratio is 1:4.

In applications in which a low common mode rejection ratio is unimportant, electrical circuits interconnecting the FBARs can be different from those just described. <figref idref="f0005">Figure 4E</figref> shows an embodiment of an acoustically-coupled transformer with a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio in which an electrical circuit 341 connects FBAR 220 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 260 of SBAR 208 in parallel and to first terminals F, and an electrical circuit 342 electrically connects FBAR 210 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 250 of SBAR 208 in parallel and to second terminals S.

<figref idref="f0005">Figure 4F</figref> shows an embodiment of an acoustically-coupled transformer with a 1:1 impedance transformation ratio in which an electrical circuit 343 connects FBAR 220 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 260 of SBAR 208 in anti-series between first terminals F, and an electrical circuit 344 connects FBAR 210 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 250 of SBAR 208 in anti-series between second terminals S.

<figref idref="f0005">Figure 4G</figref> shows an embodiment of an acoustically-coupled transformer in which an electrical circuit 345 electrically connects FBAR 220 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 260 of SBAR 208 in parallel and to first terminals F, and an electrical circuit 346 electrically connects FBAR 210 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 250 of SBAR 208 in anti-series between second terminals S. This embodiment has a 1:4 impedance transformation ratio when first terminals F serve as primary terminals and second terminals S serve as secondary terminals, or a 4:1 impedance transformation ratio when second terminals S serve as the primary terminals and first terminals F serve as the secondary terminals.

<figref idref="f0005">Figure 4H</figref> shows an embodiment of an acoustically-coupled transformer in which electrical circuit 347 electrically connects FBAR 220 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 260 of SBAR 208 in anti-series between first terminals F, and an electrical circuit 348 electrically connects FBAR 210 of SBAR 206 and FBAR 250 of SBAR 208 in parallel and to second terminals S. This embodiment has a 4:1 impedance transformation ratio when first terminals F serve as primary terminals and second terminals S serve as secondary terminals, or a 1:4 impedance transformation ratio when second terminals S serve as the primary terminals and first terminals F serve as the secondary terminals.

The electrical configuration of the embodiment of the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figures 3A-3C</figref> is similar to that shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref>. A bonding pad 282 and a bonding pad 284 constitute the first terminals of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200. An interconnection pad 236, an electrical trace 237 extending from electrode 222 to interconnection pad 236 (<figref idref="f0009">Figure 5G</figref>), an interconnection pad 278 in electrical contact with interconnection pad 236 and an electrical trace 279 extending from electrode 264 to interconnection pad 278 constitute the part of electrical circuit 245 (<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref>) that electrically connects electrode 222 of FBAR 220 to electrode 264 of FBAR 260. An interconnection pad 238, an electrical trace 239 extending from electrode 224 to interconnection pad 238, an interconnection pad 276 in electrical contact with interconnection pad 238 and an electrical trace 277 extending from electrode 262 to interconnection pad 276 (<figref idref="f0009">Figure 5G</figref>) constitute the part of electrical circuit 245 (<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref>) that electrically connects electrode 224 of FBAR 220 to electrode 262 of FBAR 260. An electrical trace 283 that extends between electrode 222 and bonding pad 282 and an electrical trace 285 that extends between electrode 264 and bonding pad 284 (<figref idref="f0009">Figure 5G</figref>) constitute the part of electrical circuit 245 that connects FBARs 220 and 260 connected in anti-parallel to the first terminals provided by bonding pads 282 and 284.

In an alternative embodiment, bonding pads 282 and 284 and traces 283 and 285 are omitted and interconnection pads 238 and 278 are configured as bonding pads and provide the first terminals of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200.

Bonding pad 232 and bonding pad 272 constitute the second terminals of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200. An electrical trace 235 that extends between electrode 214 and electrode 254 (<figref idref="f0008">Figure 5E</figref>) constitutes the part of electrical circuit 246 (<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref>) that connects FBAR 210 and FBAR 250 in series. An electrical trace 233 that extends between electrode 212 and bonding pad 232 and an electrical trace 273 that extends between electrode 252 and bonding pad 272 (<figref idref="f0007">Figure 5C</figref>) constitutes the part of electrical circuit 246 that connects FBAR 210 and FBAR 250 to the second terminals provided by bonding pads 232 and 272.

In thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200, acoustic decoupler 230 is located between FBARs 210 and 220, specifically, between electrodes 214 and 222. Acoustic decoupler 230 controls the coupling of acoustic energy between FBARs 210 and 220. Additionally, acoustic decoupler 270 is located between FBARs 250 and 260, specifically, between electrodes 254 and 262. Acoustic decoupler 270 controls the coupling of acoustic energy between FBARs 250 and 260. Acoustic decoupler 230 couples less acoustic energy between the FBARs 210 and 220 than would be coupled if the FBARs were in direct contact with one another. Acoustic decoupler 270 couples less acoustic energy between the FBARs 250 and 260 than would be coupled if the FBARs were in direct contact with one another. The coupling of acoustic energy defined by acoustic decouplers 230 and 270 determines the pass bandwidth of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200.

In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figures 3A-3C</figref>, acoustic decouplers 230 and 270 are respective parts of a layer 231 of acoustic decoupling material. Important properties of the acoustic decoupling material of layer 231 are an acoustic impedance less than that of FBARs 210, 220, 250 and 260, a nominal thickness that is an odd integral multiple of one quarter of the wavelength in the acoustic decoupling material of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of the transformer 200, and a high electrical resistivity and low dielectric permittivity to provide electrical isolation between the primary and secondary of the transformer. The materials and other properties of layer 231 are similar to those described above with reference to <figref idref="f0001 f0002">Figures 1A-1D</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref>. Therefore, layer 231 that provides acoustic decouplers 230 and 270 will not be further described here. In another embodiment (not shown), acoustic decouplers 230 and 270 each include a Bragg structure similar to Bragg structure 161 described above with reference to <figref idref="f0002">Figure 1E</figref>. Acoustic decouplers 230 and 270 may alternatively share a common Bragg structure in a manner similar to the way in which the embodiments of acoustic couplers 230 and 270 shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figures 3A-3C</figref> share a common layer 231.

SBAR 206 and SBARs 208 are located adjacent one another suspended over a cavity 204 defined in a substrate 202. Suspending the SBARs over a cavity allows the stacked FBARs in each SBAR to resonate mechanically. Other suspension schemes that allow the stacked FBARs to resonate mechanically are possible. For example, the SBARs can be located over a mismatched acoustic Bragg reflector (not shown) formed in or on substrate 202, as disclosed by the above-mentioned <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US6107721A"><text>United States patent no. 6,107,721</text></patcit> of Lakin.

Thousands of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformers similar to thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 are fabricated at a time by wafer-scale fabrication. Such wafer-scale fabrication makes the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformers inexpensive to fabricate. An exemplary fabrication method will be described next with reference to the plan views of <figref idref="f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figures 5A-5J</figref> and the cross-sectional views of <figref idref="f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figures 5K-5T</figref>. As noted above, the fabrication method can also be used to make the thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 100 described above with reference to <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1A-1C</figref>.

A wafer of single-crystal silicon is provided. A portion of the wafer constitutes, for each transformer being fabricated, a substrate corresponding to the substrate 202 of transformer 200. <figref idref="f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figures 5A-5J and Figures 5K-5T</figref> illustrate and the following description describes the fabrication of transformer 200 in and on a portion of the wafer. As transformer 200 is fabricated, the remaining transformers on the wafer are similarly fabricated.

The portion of the wafer that constitutes substrate 202 of transformer 200 is selectively wet etched to form cavity 204, as shown in <figref idref="f0006">Figures 5A and 5K</figref>.

A layer of fill material (not shown) is deposited on the surface of the wafer with a thickness sufficient to fill the cavities. The surface of the wafer is then planarized to leave the cavity filled with the fill material. <figref idref="f0006">Figures 5B and 5L</figref> show cavity 204 in substrate 202 filled with fill material 205.

In an embodiment, the fill material was phosphosilicate glass (PSG) and was deposited using conventional low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). The fill material may alternatively be deposited by sputtering, or by spin coating.

A layer of metal is deposited on the surface of the wafer and the fill material. The metal is patterned to define electrode 212, bonding pad 232, an electrical trace 233 extending between electrode 212 and bonding pad 232, electrode 252, bonding pad 272 and an electrical trace 273 extending between electrode 212 and bonding pad 272, as shown in <figref idref="f0007">Figures 5C and 5M</figref>. Electrode 212 and electrode 252 typically have an irregular shape in a plane parallel to the major surface of the wafer. An irregular shape minimizes lateral modes in FBAR 210 and FBAR 250 (<figref idref="f0003">Figure 3A</figref>) of which the electrodes form part, as described in <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US6215375B"><text>United States patent no. 6,215,375</text></patcit> of Larson III et al.. Electrode 212 and electrode 252 are located to expose part of the surface of fill material 205 so that the fill material can later be removed by etching, as will be described below.

The metal layers in which electrodes 212, 214, 222, 224, 252, 254, 262 and 264 are defined are patterned such that, in respective planes parallel to the major surface of the wafer, electrodes 212 and 214 of FBAR 210 have the same shape, size, orientation and position, electrodes 222 and 224 of FBAR 220 have the same shape, size, orientation and position, electrodes 252 and 254 of FBAR 250 have the same shape, size, orientation and position and electrodes 262 and 264 of FBAR 260 have the same shape, size, orientation and position. Typically, electrodes 214 and 222 additionally have the same shape, size, orientation and position and electrodes 254 and 262 additionally have the same shape, size, orientation and position.

In an embodiment, the metal deposited to form electrode 212, bonding pad 232, trace 233, electrode 252, bonding pad 272 and trace 273 was molybdenum. The molybdenum was deposited with a thickness of about 440 nm by sputtering, and was patterned by dry etching to define pentagonal electrodes each with an area of about 26,000 square µm. Other refractory metals such as tungsten, niobium and titanium may alternatively be used as the material of electrodes 212 and 252, bonding pads 232 and 272 and traces 233 and 273. The electrodes, bonding pads and traces may alternatively comprise layers of more than one material.

A layer of piezoelectric material is deposited and is patterned to define a piezoelectric layer 217 that provides piezoelectric layer 216 of FBAR 210 and piezoelectric layer 256 of FBAR 250, as shown in <figref idref="f0007">Figures 5D and 5N</figref>. Piezoelectric layer 217 is patterned to expose part of the surface of fill material 205 and bonding pads 232 and 272. Piezoelectric layer 217 is additionally patterned to define windows 219 that provide access to additional parts of the surface of the fill material.

In an embodiment, the piezoelectric material deposited to form piezoelectric layer 217 was aluminum nitride and was deposited with a thickness of about 780 nm by sputtering. The piezoelectric material was patterned by wet etching in potassium hydroxide or by chlorine-based dry etching. Alternative materials for piezoelectric layer 217 include zinc oxide and lead zirconium titanate.

A layer of metal is deposited and is patterned to define electrode 214, electrode 254 and electrical trace 235 extending between electrode 214 and electrode 254, as shown in <figref idref="f0008">Figures 5E and 5O</figref>.

In an embodiment, the metal deposited to form electrode 214, electrode 254 and trace 235 was molybdenum. The molybdenum was deposited with a thickness of about 440 nm by sputtering, and was patterned by dry etching. Other refractory metals may alternatively be used as the material of electrodes 214 and 254 and trace 235. The electrodes and trace may alternatively comprise layers of more than one material.

A layer of acoustic decoupling material is then deposited and is patterned to define an acoustic decoupling layer 231 that provides acoustic decoupler 230 and acoustic decoupler 270, as shown in <figref idref="f0008">Figures 5F and 5P</figref>. Acoustic decoupling layer 231 is shaped to cover at least electrode 214 and electrode 254, and is additionally shaped to expose part of the surface of fill material 205 and bonding pads 232 and 272. Acoustic decoupling layer 231 is additionally patterned to define windows 219 that provide access to additional parts of the surface of the fill material.

In an embodiment, the acoustic decoupling material was polyimide with a thickness of about 750 nm, i.e., three quarters of the center frequency wavelength in the polyimide. The polyimide was deposited to form acoustic decoupling layer 231 by spin coating, and was patterned by photolithography. Polyimide is photosensitive so that no photoresist is needed. As noted above, other plastic materials can be used as the acoustic decoupling material. The acoustic decoupling material can be deposited by methods other than spin coating.

In an embodiment in which the material of the acoustic decoupling layer 231 was polyimide, after deposition and patterning of the polyimide, the wafer was baked at about 300 °C before further processing was performed. The bake evaporates volatile constituents of the polyimide and prevents the evaporation of such volatile constituents during subsequent processing from causing separation of subsequently-deposited layers.

A layer of metal is deposited and is patterned to define electrode 222, interconnection pad 236, electrical trace 237 extending from electrode 222 to interconnection pad 236, bonding pad 282 and electrical trace 283 extending from electrode 222 to bonding pad 282, as shown in <figref idref="f0009">Figures 5G and 5Q</figref>. The patterning also defines in the layer of metal electrode 262, interconnection pad 276 and electrical trace 277 extending from electrode 262 to interconnection pad 276, also as shown in <figref idref="f0009">Figures 5G and 5Q</figref>.

In an embodiment, the metal deposited to form electrodes 222 and 262, bonding pad 282, interconnection pads 236 and 276 and electrical traces 237, 277 and 283 was molybdenum. The molybdenum was deposited with a thickness of about 440 nm by sputtering, and was patterned by dry etching. Other refractory metals may alternatively be used as the material of electrodes 222 and 262, pads 236, 276 and 282 and electrical traces 237, 277 and 283. The electrodes, bonding pads and traces may alternatively comprise layers of more than one material.

A layer of piezoelectric material is deposited and is patterned to define piezoelectric layer 227 that provides piezoelectric layer 226 of FBAR 220 and piezoelectric layer 266 of FBAR 260. Piezoelectric layer 227 is shaped to expose pads 232, 236, 272, 276 and 282 and to expose part of the surface of fill material 205 as shown in <figref idref="f0009">Figures 5H and 5R</figref>. Piezoelectric layer 227 is additionally patterned to define the windows 219 that provide access to additional parts of the surface of the fill material.

In an embodiment, the piezoelectric material deposited to form piezoelectric layer 227 was aluminum nitride and was deposited with a thickness of about 780 nm by sputtering. The piezoelectric material was patterned by wet etching in potassium hydroxide or by chlorine-based dry etching. Alternative materials for piezoelectric layer 227 include zinc oxide and lead zirconium titanate.

A layer of metal is deposited and is patterned to define electrode 224, interconnection pad 238 and electrical trace 239 extending from electrode 224 to interconnection pad 238, as shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figures 5I and 5S</figref>. Interconnection pad 238 is located in electrical contact with interconnection pad 276 to provide the part of electrical circuit 245 (<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref>) that connects electrodes 224 and 262. The patterning also defines in the layer of metal electrode 264, interconnection pad 278, electrical trace 279 extending from electrode 264 to interconnection pad 278, bonding pad 284 and electrical trace 285 extending from electrode 264 to bonding pad 284, also as shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figures 5I and 5S</figref>. Interconnection pad 278 is located in electrical contact with interconnection pad 236 to provide the part of electrical circuit 245 (<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4C</figref>) that connects electrodes 222 and 264. As noted above, bonding pads 282 and 284 and electrical traces 283 and 285 may be omitted if reliable electrical connections can be made to stacked interconnection pads 236 and 278 and to stacked interconnection pads 276 and 238.

In an embodiment, the metal deposited to form electrodes 224 and 264, pads 238, 278 and 284 and electrical traces 237, 279 and 285 was molybdenum. The molybdenum was deposited with a thickness of about 440 nm by sputtering, and was patterned by dry etching. Other refractory metals such may alternatively be used as the material of electrodes 224 and 264, pads 238, 278 and 284 and electrical traces 237, 279 and 285. The electrodes, pads and traces may alternatively comprise layers of more than one material.

The wafer is then isotropically wet etched to remove fill material 205 from cavity 204. As noted above, portions of the surface of fill material 205 remain exposed through, for example, windows 219. The etch process leaves thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 suspended over cavity 204, as shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figures 5J and 5T</figref>.

In an embodiment, the etchant used to remove fill material 205 was dilute hydrofluoric acid.

A gold protective layer is deposited on the exposed surfaces of pads 232, 238, 272, 278, 282 and 284.

The wafer is then divided into individual transformers, including transformer 200. Each transformer is then mounted in a package and electrical connections are made between bonding pads 232, 272, 282 and 284 of the transformer and pads that are part of the package.

A process similar to that described may be used to fabricate embodiments of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 in which the FBARs are electrically connected as shown in <figref idref="f0004 f0005">Figures 4B-4H</figref>.

In use, bonding pad 282 electrically connected to electrodes 222 and 264 and bonding pad 284 electrically connected to electrodes 224 and 262 provide the first terminals of the transformer 200, and bonding pad 232 electrically connected to electrode 212 and bonding pad 272 electrically connected to electrode 252 provide the second terminals of transformer 200. In one embodiment, the first terminals provide the primary terminals and the second terminals provide the secondary terminals of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200. In another embodiment, the first terminals provide the secondary terminals and the second terminals provide the primary terminals of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200.

An embodiment of thin-film acoustically-coupled transformer 200 in which acoustic decoupler 130 incorporates a Bragg structure similar to that described above with reference to <figref idref="f0002">Figure 1E</figref> is made by a process similar to that described above. The process differs as follows:

After a layer 217 of piezoelectric material is deposited and patterned (<figref idref="f0007">Figures 5D and 5N</figref>), a layer of metal is deposited and is patterned to define a high acoustic impedance Bragg element incorporating electrodes 214 and 254 and additionally to define electrical trace 235 extending between the electrodes, in a manner similar to that shown in <figref idref="f0008">Figures 5E and 5O</figref>. The high acoustic impedance Bragg element is similar to high acoustic impedance Bragg element 165 shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figure 1E</figref>. The layer of metal is deposited with a nominal thickness equal to an odd, integral multiple of one quarter of the wavelength in the metal of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of transformer 200.

In an embodiment, the metal deposited to form the high acoustic impedance Bragg element incorporating electrodes 214 and 254 is molybdenum. The molybdenum is deposited with a thickness of about 820 nm (one-quarter wavelength in Mo) by sputtering, and is patterned by dry etching. Other refractory metals may alternatively be used as the material of the high acoustic impedance Bragg element incorporating electrodes 214 and 254. The high acoustic impedance Bragg element may alternatively comprise layers of more than one metal.

A layer of low acoustic impedance material is then deposited and is patterned to define a low acoustic impedance Bragg element in a manner similar to that shown in <figref idref="f0008">Figures 5F and 5P</figref>. The layer of low acoustic impedance material is deposited with a nominal thickness equal to an odd, integral multiple of one quarter of the wavelength in the low acoustic impedance material of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of transformer 200. The low acoustic impedance Bragg element is shaped to cover at least the high acoustic impedance Bragg element, and is additionally shaped to expose part of the surface of fill material 205 and bonding pads 232 and 272. The layer of low acoustic impedance material is additionally patterned to define windows that provide access to additional parts of the surface of the fill material.

In an embodiment, the low acoustic impedance material is SiO₂ with a thickness of about 790 nm. The SiO₂ is deposited by sputtering, and is patterned by etching. Other low acoustic impedance material that can be used as the material of low acoustic impedance Bragg element include phosphosilicate glass (PSG), titanium dioxide and magnesium fluoride. The low acoustic impedance material can alternatively be deposited by methods other than sputtering.

A layer of metal is deposited and is patterned to define a high acoustic impedance Bragg element incorporating electrodes 222 and 262. The layer of metal is additionally patterned to define an interconnection pad 236, an electrical trace 237 extending from electrode 222 to interconnection pad 236, a bonding pad 282, an electrical trace 283 extending from electrode 222 to bonding pad 282, an interconnection pad 276 and an electrical trace 277 extending from electrode 262 to interconnection pad 276 in a manner similar to that shown in Figures 7G and 7Q. The layer of metal is deposited with a nominal thickness equal to an odd, integral multiple of one quarter of the wavelength in the metal of an acoustic wave having a frequency equal to the center frequency of the pass band of transformer 200.

In an embodiment, the metal deposited to form a high acoustic impedance Bragg element incorporating electrodes 222 and 262 is molybdenum. The molybdenum is deposited with a thickness of about 820 nm (one-quarter wavelength in Mo) by sputtering, and is patterned by dry etching. Other refractory metals may alternatively be used as the material of the high acoustic impedance Bragg element incorporating electrodes 222 and 262 and its associated pads and electrical traces. The high acoustic impedance Bragg element, pads and electrical traces may alternatively comprise layers of more than one material.

A layer of piezoelectric material is then deposited and is patterned to define piezoelectric layer 227, as described above, and the process continues as described above to complete fabrication of transformer 200.

This disclosure describes the invention in detail using illustrative embodiments. However, the invention defined by the appended claims is not limited to the precise embodiments described.