# US 12,763,243 B2 · Transformer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,763,243 B2 - Document ID: US12763243B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/054,217 - Filed: 2022-11-10 - Published: 2023-06-01 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-12-01 - Assignees: NXP B.V. - Applicants: NXP B.V. - Inventors: Olivier Tesson; Konstantinos Giannakidis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12763243B2 ## CPC - H01F 27/006: {with special arrangement or spacing of turns of the winding(s), e.g. to produce desired self-resonance} - H01F 27/2804: {Printed windings} - H01F 29/025: {Constructional details of transformers or reactors with tapping on coil or windings} - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES ## Abstract A transformer (100, 100′) is disclosed, comprising a first conducting element (110) having a first lobed portion (114) arranged to form a first plurality of lobes (116); and a second conducting element (120) having a second lobed portion (124) arranged to form a second plurality of lobes (126); wherein said first lobed portion (114) overlaps said second lobed portion (124) to define a plurality of enclosed areas (130). The transformer is adapted for applications requiring an autotransformer having a weak, negative magnetic coupling coefficient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A transformer comprising: a substrate; a first terminal; a second terminal; a centre tap; a first conducting element coupled to the first terminal and having a first lobed portion with a first end coupled to the first terminal, a second end, and a first plurality of lobes between the first and second ends of the first lobed portion, and wherein the first plurality of lobes corresponds to a first sequence of partial turns, with each successive lobe of the first plurality of lobes winding in an opposite sense to a preceding lobe of the first plurality of lobes; and a second conducting element coupled to the second terminal and having a second lobed portion with a first end coupled to the second terminal, a second end, and a second plurality of lobes between the first and second ends of the second lobed portion, and wherein the second plurality of lobes corresponds to a second sequence of partial turns, with each successive lobe of the second plurality of lobes winding in an opposite sense to a preceding lobe of the second plurality of lobes, wherein said first lobed portion overlaps said second lobed portion to define a plurality of enclosed areas, wherein adjacent enclosed areas are separated by crossing points of said first and second conducting elements, wherein the second end of the first lobed portion is connected to the second end of the second lobed portion to form the centre tap, and wherein the first lobed portion and the second lobed portion are formed using first and second layers of metallization on the substrate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein a number of lobes comprised by said first plurality of lobes is equal to a number of lobes comprised by said second plurality of lobes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein the number of lobes comprised by said first plurality of lobes is an even number. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein said first conducting element further comprises a first outer portion connected at one end to the first end of said first lobed portion, and connected at another end to the first terminal, and said second conducting element further comprises a second outer portion connected at one end to the first end of said second lobed portion and connected at another end to the second terminal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The transformer according to claim 4, wherein said first outer portion and said first lobed portion are arranged to form a first loop; and said second outer portion and said second lobed portion are arranged to form a second loop, said second loop at least partially overlapping said first loop. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The transformer according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said first outer portion and/or said second outer portion is substantially straight. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein said transformer is substantially symmetric. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein said second end of said first lobed portion, said second end of said second lobed portion, and said centre tap are connected to ground. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein said transformer is an autotransformer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The transformer according to claim 4, wherein said first outer portion includes a full turn of the first conducting element, and said second outer portion includes a full turn of the second conducting element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein each lobe of said first and second plurality of lobes comprises only a half turn of the respective conducting element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The transformer according to claim 4, wherein a number of lobes comprised by said first plurality of lobes is equal to a number of lobes comprised by said second plurality of lobes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The transformer according to claim 4, wherein the number of lobes comprised by said first plurality of lobes is an even number. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first lobed portion, the second end of the second lobed portion, and the centre tap are connected to ground through a switch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first lobed portion, the second end of the second lobed portion, and the centre tap are connected to ground through a permanent connection. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein: the first lobed portion and the first plurality of lobes are formed using a first layer of metallization on the substrate; and the second lobed portion and the second plurality of lobes are formed using a second layer of metallization on the substrate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, further comprising: a ground plane surrounding the first and second conducting elements and formed as part of one of the first layer of metallization and the second layer of metallization. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, further comprising: a ground plane formed as part of a third layer of metallization on the substrate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The transformer according to claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of lobes and the second plurality of lobes includes more than two lobes. ### Claim 20 A passive phase shifter comprising: a transformer that includes a substrate; a first terminal; a second terminal; a centre tap; a first conducting element coupled to the first terminal and having a first lobed portion with a first end coupled to the first terminal, a second end, and a first plurality of lobes between the first and second ends of the first lobed portion, and wherein the first plurality of lobes corresponds to a first sequence of partial turns, with each successive lobe of the first plurality of lobes winding in an opposite sense to a preceding lobe of the first plurality of lobes; and a second conducting element coupled to the second terminal and having a second lobed portion with a first end coupled to the second terminal, a second end, and a second plurality of lobes between the first and second ends of the second lobed portion, and wherein the second plurality of lobes corresponds to a second sequence of partial turns, with each successive lobe of the second plurality of lobes winding in an opposite sense to a preceding lobe of the second plurality of lobes, wherein said first lobed portion overlaps said second lobed portion to define a plurality of enclosed areas, wherein adjacent enclosed areas are separated by crossing points of said first and second conducting elements, wherein the second end of the first lobed portion is connected to the second end of the second lobed portion to form the centre tap, and wherein the first lobed portion and the second lobed portion are formed using first and second layers of metallization on the substrate.