Performance of High-$Q$ Inductors in LTCC Using FTTF Techniques

Inductors have been produced in low-temperature co-fired ceramic in a manner that increases the cross-sectional area of the conductor. This geometry helps to compensate for high-frequency non-idealities, such as skin effect, current crowding and proximity effect. An array of various inductor geometries and probing structures has been fabricated and characterized.
Q
s of over 80 were confirmed, with
Q
s of over 100 believed to be possible. Accurate measurements of such values require careful consideration of error sources and the use of rigorous measurement techniques that are discussed. Finally, a filter has been fabricated to demonstrate the usefulness of these inductors in real-world applications.