US5675298A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low-loss, low-inductance interconnect for microcircuits
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1995-11-21
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2015-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A low-loss, low-inductance metal interconnect for an electrical signal in a microcircuit comprises a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer. The metal interconnect lines are interleaved with and electrically insulated from a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in the plane. The metal interconnect lines together comprise a signal interconnect path, and the metal lines are coupled to a fixed voltage potential, such as ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Raghunand Bhagwan
- 👤 Alan Rogers
- 👤 John MacDonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:08
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/40; H10W20/495
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A metal interconnect for an electrical signal comprising a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer and electrically connected together, said metal interconnect lines interleaved with and electrically insulated from a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in said plane, wherein ones of said metal lines are the outermost lines, said metal interconnect lines together comprising a single signal interconnect path, said metal lines comprising a low impedance signal return path coupled to a fixed voltage potential.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A metal interconnect for an electrical signal comprising a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer and electrically connected together, said metal interconnect lines interleaved with and electrically insulated from a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in said plane, wherein ones of said metal lines are the outermost lines, said metal interconnect lines together comprising a single signal interconnect path, said metal lines comprising a low impedance signal return path coupled to a fixed voltage potential.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
A metal interconnect for an electrical signal comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer and electrically connected together; a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in said plane and interleaved with and electrically insulated from said metal interconnect lines said metal lines coupled to a fixed voltage potential, wherein ones of said metal lines are the outermost lines; wherein said metal interconnect lines together comprise a single signal interconnect path for signals having a bandwidth exceeding about 1 GHz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A metal interconnect for an electrical signal comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer and electrically connected together; a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in said plane and interleaved with and electrically insulated from said metal interconnect lines said metal lines coupled to a fixed voltage potential, wherein ones of said metal lines are the outermost lines; wherein said metal interconnect lines together comprise a single signal interconnect path for signals having a bandwidth exceeding about 1 GHz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
A metal interconnect for an electrical signal comprising a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer and electrically connected together, said metal interconnect lines interleaved with and electrically insulated from a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in said plane, wherein ones of said metal lines are the outermost lines, said metal interconnect lines together comprising a single signal interconnect path and having a cumulative width w, wherein w>>δ, wherein δ is the skin depth, said metal lines coupled to a fixed voltage potential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A metal interconnect for an electrical signal comprising a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer and electrically connected together, said metal interconnect lines interleaved with and electrically insulated from a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in said plane, wherein ones of said metal lines are the outermost lines, said metal interconnect lines together comprising a single signal interconnect path and having a cumulative width w, wherein w>>δ, wherein δ is the skin depth, said metal lines coupled to a fixed voltage potential.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for providing a metal interconnect for an electrical signal comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer; providing a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in said plane interleaved with and electrically insulated from said metal interconnect lines, wherein ones of said metal lines are the outermost lines; connecting said metal interconnect lines together to a single signal source; and connecting said metal lines to a fixed voltage potential.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for providing a metal interconnect for an electrical signal comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer; providing a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in said plane interleaved with and electrically insulated from said metal interconnect lines, wherein ones of said metal lines are the outermost lines; connecting said metal interconnect lines together to a single signal source; and connecting said metal lines to a fixed voltage potential.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |