Variable inductance element using an inductor conductor

Claim 2

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, and a separate switch than the at least one switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state.

Claim 3

A variable inductance element according to claim 1 wherein: said inductor conductor has a spiral shape.

Claim 4

A variable inductance element according to claim 2 further comprising: two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch a length of said at least one inductor conductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals.

Claim 5

A variable inductance element according to claim 2 wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate.

Claim 6

A variable inductance element according to claim 4 wherein said at least one switch comprises a field effect transistor having two diffusion regions respectively functioning as a source and a drain formed in portions of said semiconductor substrate and respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 7

A variable inductance element according to claim 5 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 8

A variable inductance element according to claim 5 further comprising: an insulation film formed on the surface of said semiconductor substrate after forming said at least one switch and said at least one inductor conductor, perforations formed by removing portions of the insulation film by one of etching and laser light emission, and terminals formed by closing the perforations with solder to the extent of protruding slightly from the surface.

Claim 9

A variable inductance element according to claim 1 wherein: said inductor conductor has a meander shape.

Claim 10

A variable inductance element according to claim 8 further comprising: two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch a length of said at least one inductor conductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals.

Claim 11

A variable inductance element according to claim 8 wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate.

Claim 12

A variable inductance element according to claim 10 wherein said at least one switch comprises a field effect transistor having two diffusion regions respectively functioning as a source and a drain formed in portions of said semiconductor substrate and respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 13

A variable inductance element according to claim 11 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 14

A variable inductance element according to claim 11 further comprising: an insulation film formed on the surface of said semiconductor substrate after forming said at least one switch and said at least one inductor conductor, perforations formed by removing portions of the insulation film by one of etching and laser light emission, and terminals formed by closing the perforations with solder to the extent of protruding slightly from the surface.

Claim 15

A variable inductance element according to claim 1 further comprising: two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch a length of said at least one inductor conductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals.

Claim 16

A variable inductance element according to claim 14 wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate.

Claim 17

A variable inductance element according to claim 15 wherein said at least one switch comprises a field effect transistor having two diffusion regions respectively functioning as a source and a drain formed in portions of said semiconductor substrate and respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 18

A variable inductance element according to claim 16 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 19

A variable inductance element according to claim 1 wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate.

Claim 20

A variable inductance element according to claim 18 wherein said at least one switch comprises a field effect transistor having two diffusion regions respectively functioning as a source and a drain formed in portions of said semiconductor substrate and respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 21

A variable inductance element according to claim 19 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 22

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch being formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 23

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch being formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 24

A variable inductance element according to claim 21 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 25

A variable inductance element according to claim 21 further comprising: an insulation film formed on the surface of said semiconductor substrate after forming said at least one switch and said at least one inductor conductor, perforations formed by removing portions of the insulation film by one of etching and laser light emission, and terminals formed by closing the perforations with solder to the extent of protruding slightly from the surface.

Claim 26

A variable inductance element according to claim 21 wherein said inductor conductor has a spiral shape.

Claim 27

A variable inductance element according to claim 24 further comprising: two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch, a length of said at least one inductor conductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals.

Claim 28

A variable inductance element according to claim 21 wherein said inductor conductor has a meander shape.

Claim 29

A variable inductance element according to claim 26 further comprising: two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch, a length of said at least one inductor conductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals.

Claim 30

A variable inductance element according to claim 21 further comprising: two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch a length of said at least one inductor conductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals.

Claim 31

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined spiral shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 32

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined spiral shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 33

A variable inductance element according to claim 29 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 34

A variable inductance element according to claim 29 further comprising: an insulation film formed on the surface of said semiconductor substrate after forming said at least one switch and said at least one inductor conductor, perforations formed by removing portions of the insulation film by one of etching and laser light emission, and terminals formed by closing the perforations with solder to the extent of protruding slightly from the surface.

Claim 35

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined meander shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 36

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined meander shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 37

A variable inductance element according to claim 32 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 38

A variable inductance element according to claim 32 further comprising: an insulation film formed on the surface of said semiconductor substrate after forming said at least one switch and said at least one inductor conductor, perforations formed by removing portions of the insulation film by one of etching and laser light emission, and terminals formed by closing the perforations with solder to the extent of protruding slightly from the surface.

Claim 39

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch a length of said at least one inductor inductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 40

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch a length of said at least one inductor inductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 41

A variable inductance element according to claim 35 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 42

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 43

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, wherein said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 44

A variable inductance element according to claim 37 wherein channels and said two diffusion regions of said at least one switch are extended in length along said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 45

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a spiral shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 46

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a spiral shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 47

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a meander shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 48

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a meander shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 49

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape; at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate; and two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch a length of said at least one inductor conductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 50

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape; at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate; and two input/output terminals provided at respective ends of said at least one inductor conductor, wherein by operation of said switch a length of said at least one inductor conductor between said two input/output terminals is changed to vary the inductance between said two input/output terminals, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 51

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.

Claim 52

A variable inductance element comprising: at least one inductor conductor having a predetermined shape, and at least one switch functioning to separate and connect portions of said at least one inductor conductor, said at least one inductor conductor used one of independently and in combination with other inductor conductors, wherein said at least one switch includes a switch for cutting off an unnecessary closed loop produced by said at least one inductor conductor according to a switch operating state, said at least one inductor conductor and said at least one switch are formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said at least one switch comprises a transmission gate having an n channel transistor and a p channel transistor connected in parallel, said n channel and p channel transistors are formed as portions of said semiconductor substrate, and two diffusion regions functioning as a source and a drain of each of said n channel and p channel transistors are respectively connected to different portions of said at least one inductor conductor.