Circulator and method of manufacture

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a circulator comprising the steps of providing a central substrate layer with at least one cut-out section and circuit lines. Next, providing a magnet placed within said cut-out section and a ferrite placed on each side of said substrate layer. A steel plate is placed on each side of the substrate layer. Spacer layers are provided on each side of the substrate layer. An outer shim layer is placed on each side of the central substrate layer. Laminate sheets are placed between the substrate layer, the spacer layers, and the outer shim layers. Holes are drilled through each of the substrate, the spacer layers, the outer shims, and the laminate sheets. Heat and pressure are provided to cause the laminate sheets to flow in order to join the substrate, magnets, ferrites, steel plates, spacer layers and outer shim layers into a unitary structure. Finally the structure is plated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to circulators that can be implemented in surface mount packages and particularly to a circulator that can be fabricated in a package whose shape can be selected to conform to the requirements of a microwave circuit whose arrangement is affected by other constraints. In the production of microwave circuits the use of components that are mounted on tape reels greatly increases the speed and efficiency of production, for example in a so-called pick and place automated production line.

[0003] A circulator is a device having several ports for electrical communication with other devices in which energy entering the device through one of the ports is transmitted to a port that is adjacent to the first port. Circulators have been used for many years in coupling microwave energy transmitted in waveguides. There are several circulators known in the prior art that utilize stripline microwave transmission lines. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,522 to Coerver describes a circulator in a stripline microwave transmission line circuit. Additionally, there are known various methods of forming stripline circuit components. Most notably, U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,007 describes a method of manufacturing a strip line circuit component that has particular advantages in packaging components to be soldered directly to conventional circuit boards. The assignee of the present application is also the assignee of U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,007 which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] To date, there has not been a suitable and cost-effective circulator for use in automated manufacturing, particularly for use in reflow operations. Indeed, there is a need for a circulator that can be packaged in component form and soldered directly to conventional circuit boards. Preferably, the component form is one that allows for supplying the components to the end-user in a tape and reel thereby allowing for quick and efficient production of the circuit boards. It is also desirable to provide a circulator package that can be soldered to circuit board in such fashion to allow for visual inspection of the solder joints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a circulator that is suitable for use in automated production of microwave circuits, specifically reflow operations.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a circulator that is suitable for automated production of microwave circuits.

[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a surface mount circulator that includes a flat mounting surface.

[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a surface mount circulator that can be soldered in place on a circuit board whereby the circulator solder joints can be visually inspected.

[0009] These and other objects are obtained by a method of manufacturing a circulator comprising the steps of providing a central substrate layer with at least one cut-out section and circuit lines. Next, providing a magnet placed within said cut-out section and a ferrite placed on each side of said substrate layer. A steel plate is placed on each side of the substrate layer. Spacer layers are provided on each side of the substrate layer. An outer shim layer is placed on each side of the central substrate layer. Laminate sheets are placed between the substrate layer, the spacer layers, and the outer shim layers. Holes are drilled through each of the substrate, the spacer layers, the outer shims, and the laminate sheets. Heat and pressure are provided to cause the laminate sheets to flow in order to join the substrate, magnets, ferrites, steel plates, spacer layers and outer shim layers into a unitary structure. Finally, the structure is plated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1(a) is an elevated plan view of a surface mountable circulator.

[0011] FIG. 1(b) is an elevated three-dimensional ghost view of a surface mountable circulator.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a surface mountable circulator.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a surface mountable circulator.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a surface mount circulator embodying the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1A, there is shown an elevated view of the surface mount circulator 100 embodying the present invention. The overall shape of the circulator 100 is rectangular, which applicants believe is the currently preferred shape for the production of mobile cellular communications equipment. Of course, end-users of surface mount components may prefer alternative shapes, such as triangular, round or hexagonal, and one skilled in the art would recognize that the present invention could take any shape that is compatible with end-user requirements.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 4, there are depicted the processing steps in the manufacture of the surface mount circulator that embodies the present invention. The process herein described illustrates that a plurality of circulators can be manufactured on one panel. The manufacture of a plurality of components is preferable to a single component manufacturing process because the panel production method is obviously more efficient. In the preferred method, the multiple circulators are populated on the panel and are end laminated together.

[0017] Prior to the first illustrated step of FIG. 4, the central substrate 11 has had a circuit pattern 12 laid out in ways known to those skilled in the art. For example, circuit paths 12 are depicted on circuit artwork and are used in a photolithographic process to etch patterns into the substrate 11. In addition, routers can be used to form various shapes and pathways on the substrate 11 that are selected in ways that will become more apparent in the following discussion. The substrate material is preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), but other materials are known to those skilled in the art, such as ceramic or other plastics.

[0018] In the first step of the process of FIG. 4, the substrate has magnets 10 inserted in the previously routed cutouts. The preferred embodiment uses three magnets laid out along the circumference of the cutout as shown. Any material that has the ability to store magnetic energy can be used. As such, the magnets 10 can be in a pre-formed configuration or can be in the form of a paste or powder that can be spread or formed into the desired shape. The magnets 10 or magnetic material must be arranged so that a DC magnetic field is applied.

[0019] Next, as depicted in FIG. 4, the substrate 11 is covered with a pre-routed laminate sheet 42 with a desired dielectric characteristic in order to stack-up the structure of the circulator. Again, one skilled in the art would recognize that the laminate 42 can be constructed of various materials, such as glass reinforced hydrocarbon/ceramics. Next, ferrite 24 is placed on top of the laminate and in between the magnets 10. Any material with gyro-magnetic characteristics can be utilized. The ferrites 24 can be pre-formed, in powder or paste form which can be spread or placed into the desired position and shape.

[0020] The next step, still referring to FIG. 4, is the addition of spacer layers 35 and additional laminate 42. The spacer layers 35 and laminate 42 are provided in order to match the height of the ferrite 24, magnets 10 and the steel plates 28 that are subsequently placed on top of the previously arranged pieces. The plates 28 are comprised of any material that is able to conduct magnetic energy, preferably steel. Of course, powders or pastes that can be spread or placed in the correct position can be used. Depending on the desired performance characteristics there can be a varying number of plates utilized.

[0021] An additional laminate sheet 42 is placed over the existing structure. This laminate sheet 42 has been pre-drilled to provide vias in order to allow electrical contact from the steel plates to an electrical ground located outside of the circulator device. An outer shim layer 40 is provided over the laminate sheet 42. The shim material is preferably PTFE. The outer shim 40 also includes vias 20 that align with the vias in the laminate sheet in order to allow for contact to an electrical ground located outside the circulator device. The outer shim material encloses the magnets 10, ferrite 24, and steel plates 28.

[0022] The process described to this point provides for the stack-up of constituents on one side of the central substrate. At this point, the part is flipped over and the steps are repeated. Specifically, a first laminate sheet is placed over the central substrate followed by the addition of the ferrite material, the spacer layers, the steel plates, the second laminate sheet and the outer shim.

[0023] After both sides of the circulator have been stacked up, the panel is placed into a lamination press for temperature and pressure treatment in order to finally form the circulator, as is well known in the art. The temperature applied to the device must be high enough to cause the laminates to flow and the pressure must be sufficient to form the circulator while taking into account the need to avoid cracking any of the constituents.

[0024] After the lamination process is complete, several holes are drilled through the panel in order to form vias 20 or through-holes. After the lamination process, the device is plated with a copper plating solution and then with a tin-alloy. Finally, the panel is singulated to provide individual components in the desired shape, preferably rectangular. The singulation is known to those skilled in the art in order to arrive at a particular size and shape product. In addition, the singulation process bisects some of the holes thereby forming semicircular indentations along the periphery of each device. Three of the indentations form input/output ports and the remaining indentations are used as soldering sites for the end-user products. This surface mounting technique is of particular advantage because the end user can perform quality assurance checks of the port connections and solder sites using a direct line of sight inspection technique due to the unique configuration of the circulator.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a horizontal cross-sectional view of the surface mount circulator 100 embodying the present invention. The cross section is taken through the mid-line of the circulator device 100. The circulator 100 is comprised of a substrate 11 that is manufactured from PTFE, or other similar materials as described above. The substrate 11 has a cutout 14 that is formed through the use of routers as is known in the art. Magnets 10 are placed around the periphery of the circular cutout 14. As mentioned in the discussion above, the magnetic field that is required to be created in order for the circulator to operate correctly can be created by conventional magnets or by other materials such as pastes or powders, so long as the materials have the necessary magnetic properties. In addition, although the preferred embodiment includes a magnet, a specialized application does exist for ‘below resonance’ circulators wherein the circulator can be formed without a magnet.

[0026] The magnets 10 create a magnetic field biasing the ferrite material around the conductor lines 12 that have been previously etched or photolithographed onto the substrate 11 as described above. Of course, the conductor lines 12 may assume various shapes and geometric configurations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The conductor lines 12 are in electrical communication with input/output ports 16 that are formed along the periphery of the circulator 100 by the drilled holes 20 and the singulation process described above wherein the holes 20 are bisected. There are also drilled holes 20 that are placed at various locations about the circulator 100 that provide for an electrical connection from the steel plates 28 to ground (not shown).

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the substrate 11 that has been pre-cut as described above accommodates the magnets 10. The layers 35 of PTFE that are used to stack-up the circulator 100 as described above are also cut out to accommodate the magnets 10, the ferrite 24 and the steel plates 28. The outer shim 40 contains holes or vias 20 to the steel plates 28 to provide an electrical contact to ground (not shown). There are laminar sheets 42 located between each of the layers 35 and the substrate 11 as described above. In some instances, temperature compensation plates (not shown) can be added to the circulator 100. The compensation plates are preferably a nickel-steel alloy. As noted above, after the stack-up and the lamination processes have been completed the circulator 100 is plated, preferably with a tin alloy solution.

[0028] It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereof. For instance, one skilled in the art would recognize that the circulator could easily be modified to act as an isolator by merely supplying a termination at an output port.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a surface mount circulator, the steps comprising: forming a laminar assembly having a transmission line conductor interposed between at least two insulating layers, the outer surface of each said insulating layer being metallized and said line conductor having at least two co-planar axes of symmetry, said line conductor further having at least three ports; said ports formed by providing a plurality of holes through said laminar assembly, each of said plurality of holes being positioned within said insulating regions and passing through said transmission line conductor; forming an electrical circulator by placing ferrite in proximity to said transmission line conductor; plating through said plurality of holes with a conductive material, said conductive material in said plurality of holes being in electrical contact with said transmission line conductor and insulated from said metallization on said outer services of said insulating layers; and, cutting said laminar assembly along said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor to form duplicate strip line circuit component packages, each package having electrical contact pads formed by bisecting said plurality of holes, said plurality of bisected holes forming electrical contact pads with said transmission line conductor, said electrical contact pads forming low loss transition couplings at each of said locations where said transmission line conductor intersects said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: placing magnetic means such that a magnetic field is applied through said ferrite.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said magnetic means comprises a permanent magnet.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said magnet is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side of at least one of said insulating layers.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein said magnet is placed external to said laminate assembly.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

11. The method of claim 3 wherein said magnetic means comprises a soft magnetic material.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said soft magnetic material is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side at least one of said insulating layers.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

15. A method of manufacturing a surface mount circulator, the steps comprising: forming a laminar assembly having a transmission line conductor interposed between at least two insulating layers, the outer surface of each said insulating layer being metallized and said line conductor having at least two co-planar axes of symmetry, said line conductor further having at least three ports; said ports formed by providing a plurality of holes through said laminar assembly, each of said plurality of holes being positioned within said insulating regions and passing through said transmission line conductor; forming an electrical circulator by placing ferrite in proximity to said transmission line conductor; placing a steel plate between said ferrite and at least one of said insulating layers; plating through said plurality of holes with a conductive material, said conductive material in said plurality of holes being in electrical contact with said transmission line conductor and insulated from said metallization on said outer services of said insulating layers; and, cutting said laminar assembly along said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor to form duplicate strip line circuit component packages, each package having electrical contact pads formed by bisecting said plurality of holes, said plurality of bisected holes forming electrical contact pads with said transmission line conductor, said electrical contact pads forming low loss transition couplings at each of said locations where said transmission line conductor intersects said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising: placing magnetic means such that a magnetic field is applied through said ferrite.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said magnetic means comprises a permanent magnet.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein said magnet is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side of at least one of said insulating layers.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein said magnet is placed external to said laminate assembly.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

25. The method of claim 17 wherein said magnetic means comprises a soft magnetic material.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said soft magnetic material is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side at least one of said insulating layers.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

29. A surface mount circulator comprising: a laminar assembly having a transmission line conductor interposed between at least two insulating layers, the outer surface of each said insulating layer being metallized and said line conductor having at least two co-planar axes of symmetry, said line conductor further having at least three ports; said ports formed by a plurality of holes through said laminar assembly, each of said plurality of holes being positioned within said insulating regions and passing through said transmission line conductor; a ferrite positioned in proximity to said transmission line conductor; said plurality of holes being plated through with a conductive material, said conductive material in said plurality of holes being in electrical contact with said transmission line conductor and insulated from said metallization on said outer services of said insulating layers; and, electrical contact pads formed by bisecting said plurality of holes, said plurality of bisected holes forming electrical contact pads with said transmission line conductor, said electrical contact pads forming low loss transition couplings at each of said locations where said transmission line conductor intersects said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor.

30. The circulator of claim 29 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

31. The circulator of claim 29 further comprising: a magnetic means positioned such that a magnetic field is applied through said ferrite.

32. The circulator of claim 31 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

33. The circulator of claim 31 wherein said magnetic means comprises a permanent magnet.

34. The circulator of claim 33 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

35. The circulator of claim 33 wherein said magnet is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side of at least one of said insulating layers.

36. The circulator of claim 35 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

37. The circulator of claim 33 wherein said magnet is placed external to said laminate assembly.

38. The circulator of claim 37 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

39. The circulator of claim 31 wherein said magnetic means comprises a soft magnetic material.

40. The circulator of claim 39 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

41. The circulator of claim 39 wherein said soft magnetic material is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side at least one of said insulating layers.

42. The circulator of claim 41 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

43. A surface mount circulator comprising: a laminar assembly having a transmission line conductor interposed between at least two insulating layers, the outer surface of each said insulating layer being metallized and said line conductor having at least two co-planar axes of symmetry, said line conductor further having at least three ports; said ports formed by a plurality of holes through said laminar assembly, each of said plurality of holes being positioned within said insulating regions and passing through said transmission line conductor; a ferrite placed in proximity to said transmission line conductor; a steel plate positioned between said ferrite and at least one of said insulating layers; said plurality of holes being plated through with a conductive material, said conductive material in said plurality of holes being in electrical contact with said transmission line conductor and insulated from said metallization on said outer services of said insulating layers; and, electrical contact pads formed by bisecting said plurality of holes, said plurality of bisected holes forming electrical contact pads with said transmission line conductor, said electrical contact pads forming low loss transition couplings at each of said locations where said transmission line conductor intersects said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor.

44. The circulator of claim 43 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

45. The circulator of claim 43 further comprising: placing magnetic means such that a magnetic field is applied through said ferrite.

46. The circulator of claim 45 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

47. The circulator of claim 45 wherein said magnetic means comprises a permanent magnet.

48. The circulator of claim 47 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

49. The circulator of claim 43 wherein said magnet is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side of at least one of said insulating layers.

50. The circulator of claim 49 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

51. The circulator of claim 47 wherein said magnet is placed external to said laminate assembly.

52. The circulator of claim 51 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

53. The circulator of claim 45 wherein said magnetic means comprises a soft magnetic material.

54. The circulator of claim 53 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

55. The circulator of claim 53 wherein said soft magnetic material is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side at least one of said insulating layers.

56. The circulator of claim 55 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

57. A surface mount circulator comprising: a laminar assembly having a transmission line conductor interposed between at least two insulating layers, the outer surface of each said insulating layer being metallized and said line conductor having at least two co-planar axes of symmetry, said line conductor further having at least three ports; said ports formed by a first plurality of holes through said laminar assembly, each of said first plurality of holes being positioned within said insulating regions and passing through said transmission line conductor; a second plurality of holes through at least one of said insulating layers positioned on said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor; a ferrite placed in proximity to said transmission line conductor; a steel plate positioned between said ferrite and at least one of said insulating layers; said first and second plurality of holes being plated through with a conductive material, said conductive material in said first plurality of holes being in electrical contact with said transmission line conductor and insulated from said metallization on said outer services of said insulating layers and said second plurality of holes being in contact with said metallization on said outer surfaces of said insulating layers to provide an electrical contact path between said metallizations; and, electrical contact pads formed by bisecting said plurality of holes, said plurality of bisected holes forming electrical contact pads with said transmission line conductor, said electrical contact pads forming low loss transition couplings at each of said locations where said transmission line conductor intersects said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor.

58. The circulator of claim 57 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

59. The circulator of claim 57 further comprising: placing magnetic means such that a magnetic field is applied through said ferrite.

60. The circulator of claim 59 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

61. The circulator of claim 59 wherein said magnetic means comprises a permanent magnet.

62. The circulator of claim 61 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

63. The circulator of claim 57 wherein said magnet is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side of at least one of said insulating layers.

64. The circulator of claim 63 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

65. The circulator of claim 61 wherein said magnet is placed external to said laminate assembly.

66. The circulator of claim 65 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

67. The circulator of claim 59 wherein said magnetic means comprises a soft magnetic material.

68. The circulator of claim 67 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

69. The circulator of claim 67 wherein said soft magnetic material is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side at least one of said insulating layers.

70. The circulator of claim 69 wherein said ferrite is positioned in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

71. A method of manufacturing a surface mount circulator, the steps comprising: forming a laminar assembly having a transmission line conductor interposed between at least two insulating layers, the outer surface of each said insulating layer being metallized and said line conductor having at least two co-planar axes of symmetry, said line conductor further having at least three ports; said ports formed by providing a first plurality of holes through said laminar assembly, each of said first plurality of holes being positioned within said insulating regions and passing through said transmission line conductor; forming a second plurality of holes through at least one of said insulating layers positioned on said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor; forming an electrical circulator by placing ferrite in proximity to said transmission line conductor; placing a steel plate between said ferrite and at least one of said insulating layers; plating through said first and second plurality of holes with a conductive material, said conductive material in said first plurality of holes being in electrical contact with said transmission line conductor and insulated from said metallization on said outer services of said insulating layers and said second plurality of holes being in contact with said metallization on said outer surfaces of said insulating layers to provide an electrical contact path between said metallizations and, cutting said laminar assembly along said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor to form duplicate strip line circuit component packages, each package having electrical contact pads formed by bisecting said first plurality of holes, said first plurality of bisected holes forming electrical contact pads with said transmission line conductor, said electrical contact pads forming low loss transition couplings at each of said locations where said transmission line conductor intersects said axes of symmetry of said transmission line conductor.

72. The method of claim 71 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

73. The method of claim 71 further comprising: placing magnetic means such that a magnetic field is applied through said ferrite.

74. The method of claim 73 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

75. The method of claim 73 wherein said magnetic means comprises a permanent magnet.

76. The method of claim 75 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

77. The method of claim 71 wherein said magnet is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side of at least one of said insulating layers.

78. The method of claim 77 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

79. The method of claim 75 wherein said magnet is placed external to said laminate assembly.

80. The method of claim 79 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

81. The method of claim 73 wherein said magnetic means comprises a soft magnetic material.

82. The method of claim 81 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.

83. The method of claim 81 wherein said soft magnetic material is placed in an inlay formed on an interior side at least one of said insulating layers.

84. The method of claim 83 further comprising: placing said ferrite in an inlay, said inlay formed on an interior side of one of said insulating layers.