TECHNICAL FIELDDisclosed embodiments relate to package-on-package interposers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn order to understand the manner in which embodiments are obtained, a more particular description of various embodiments briefly described above will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings. These drawings depict embodiments that are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not to be considered to be limiting in scope. Some embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1ais a cross-section elevation of an offset interposer according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 1bis a cross-section elevation of an offset interposer that is disposed on a first-level interconnect according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a top plan of the offset interposer depicted inFIG. 1aaccording to an example embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section elevation of an offset interposer according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section elevation of a chip package with an offset interposer according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a top plan cutaway of the offset interposer depicted inFIG. 4 according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 6ais a cross-section elevation of a chip package with an offset interposer according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 6bis a cross-section elevation of a chip package with an offset interposer according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a cross-section elevation of a chip package with an offset interposer according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a cross-section elevation of a chip package with an offset interposer according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a process and method flow diagram according to an example embodiment; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic of a computer system according to example embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONProcesses are disclosed where offset interposers are assembled and coupled with microelectronic devices as chip packages. Offset interposer embodiments allow for chip-package designers to decouple interfacing challenges such as between logic devices and memory devices during the packaging process.
Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like structures may be provided with like suffix reference designations. In order to show the structures of various embodiments more clearly, the drawings included herein are diagrammatic representations of integrated circuit chips assembled to offset interposer embodiments. Thus, the actual appearance of the fabricated chip substrates, alone or in chip packages, for example in a photomicrograph, may appear different while still incorporating the claimed structures of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, the drawings may only show the structures useful to understand the illustrated embodiments. Additional structures known in the art may not have been included to maintain the clarity of the drawings.
FIG. 1ais a cross-section elevation of anoffset interposer100 according to an example embodiment. Theoffset interposer100 includes a center through hole108 (also referred to as an inner edge108) which is provided to allow clearance for a first-level device such as a processor. Similarly, an interposer lateral edge106 (also referred to as an outer edge106) defines the outer lateral surface and perimeter of theoffset interposer100.
Theoffset interposer100 also includes aland side112 that is configured to interface with a first-level interconnect such as a package for a processor. Opposite theland side112 is a package-on-package (POP)side110 onto which a POP structure such as a memory module is to be assembled.
Two adjacent, spaced-apart land-side pads114 and116 (indicated with two occurrences for each side in cross section) are disposed on theland side112. The land-side pads114 and116 are part of a land-side ball-grid array (BGA) that is configured to interface with a first-level interconnect. Similarly, two adjacent spaced-apart POP-side pads118 and120 (indicated with two occurrences for each side in cross section) are disposed on thePOP side110. It can be seen that for the two land-side pads114 and116, they have a different X-Y orientation than the two POP-side pads118 and120 (where the Y-direction is orthogonal to the plane of the FIG). This means the POP-side pads118 and120, although they are coupled through the interposer to the respective land-side pads114 and116, they are offset or “translated” in at least one of the X- or Y-direction; in these illustrated embodiments, in the X-direction.
A given POP-side pad118 is coupled to a given land-side pad114 through afirst trace124 anduseful vias125. Similarly, a given adjacent and spaced-apart POP-side pad120 is coupled to a corresponding given land-side pad116 through asecond trace126 anduseful vias127.
As indicated on theoffset interposer100 at the right side thereof, a land-side pad spacing128 and a POP-side pad spacing130 define the pad center-to-center spacings of the respective sides. In an embodiment, the land-side-pad spacing128 is configured to match conventional pad spacings that interface conventional first-level ball-grid array (BGA) interconnects. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing130 is equal to the land-side pad spacing128. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing130 is 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the land-side pad spacing128 is 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing130 is 0.5 mm and the land-side pad spacing128 is less than 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing130 is unity and the land-side pad spacing128 is less than unity such as 80% of unity. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing130 is 0.5 mm and the land-side pad spacing128 is 0.4 mm.
The POP-side pads118 and120 are offset or translated in the X-direction with respect to the land-side pads114 and116, respectively. As illustrated, the land-side pads114 and116 have a land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134 and the POP-side pads118 and120 have a POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension132. It is seen in this embodiment, that the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134 is larger than the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134. When observed in plan view (seeFIG. 2), the POP-side pads are arrayed with a perimeter that is less than but concentric with the perimeter of the land-side pads.
In an embodiment, offset of the POP-side pads118 and120 is such that the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension132 is less than that of the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134 such that the X-length of thetraces124 and126 is less than that depicted inFIG. 1a. In an embodiment, offset of the POP-side pads118 and120 is such that the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension132 is less than that of the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134 such that thetraces124 and126 depicted inFIG. 1aare not needed. For example, where thetrace124 is not needed, the footprint of the POP-side pad118 overlaps the footprint of the land-side pad114. Thevia125 interconnects the tworespective pads118 and114 by direct contact through the interposer100 (seeFIG. 3). In other words, the POP-side pad118 has a different footprint that its corresponding land-side pad114. Similarly for example, where thetrace126 is not needed, the footprint of the POP-side pad120 overlaps the footprint of the land-side pad116 and the via127 interconnects the tworespective pads120 and116 by direct contact through theinterposer100.
FIG. 2 is a top plan of theoffset interposer100 depicted inFIG. 1aaccording to an example embodiment. Two occurrences each of the spaced-apart but adjacent land-side pads114 and116 are indicated with phantom lines as they are below thePOP side110 in a POP-side land-grid array (LGA). Similarly, two occurrences each of two spaced-apart but adjacent POP-side pads118 and120 are indicated disposed on thePOP side110 in a land-side BGA.
As seen at thecross-section line1a, the POP-side pads118 and120 are offset in the X-direction with respect to the land-side pads114 and116, respectively. As illustrated, the land-side pads114 and116 have the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134 and the POP-side pads118 and120 have the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension132. It is seen in this embodiment, that the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134 is larger than the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134. It is also seen that no footprint overlap of the POP-side pads118 and120 occurs with the land-side pads114 and116. In an embodiment however, some footprint overlap of the POP-side pads118 and120 occurs with the land-side pads114 and116. (SeeFIG. 3).
Because there may be a one-to-one correspondence between POP-side pads that are coupled to land-side pads, several dummy land-side pads may be present that may be used, however, for increased thermal and physical shock bolstering as well as for extra power and/or ground current flow. As an illustrated embodiment, 56 POP-side pads are depicted on thePOP side110, but where center-to-center pitch and pad size are matched between thePOP side110 and theland side112, as many as 88 land-side pads are located on theland side112.
FIG. 1bis a cross-section elevation of achip package101 with an offsetinterposer100 according to an example embodiment. The offsetinterposer100 illustrated inFIG. 1ais depicted mounted upon a first-level interconnect136 such as a mounting substrate for anelectronic device138. The first-level interconnect136 may be referred to as a large-bottom package since the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension132 is smaller than the land-sidecharacteristic dimension134.
In an embodiment, theelectronic device138 is a processor such as one manufactured by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. In an embodiment, the processor is an Atom® processor. In an embodiment, the processor is the type from Intel Corporation that is code-named Penwell™. Theelectronic device138 is mounted flip-chip fashion upon the first-level interconnect136 and it has anactive surface140 and abackside surface142. Other configurations of a chip upon the first-level interconnect136 may include a wire-bond chip with the active surface facing away from the first-level interconnect136. The first-level interconnect136 is also configured to communicate to afoundation substrate144 such as a smartphone motherboard, though an electrical array such as a ball-grid array that is illustrated with severalelectrical bumps146. Other ways to connect the first-level interconnect include a land-grid array in the place of electrical bumps.
The offsetinterposer100 is coupled to the first-level interconnect136 by a series ofelectrical bumps115 and117 that correspond to the land-side pads114 and116 depicted inFIGS. 1aand2. Theelectrical bumps115 and117 are disposed on the land-side112. Similarly, a series ofelectrical bumps119 and121 are disposed on the POP-side110. The series ofelectrical bumps119 and121 correspond to the POP-side pads118 and120, respectively, depicted inFIGS. 1aand2. The series ofelectrical bumps119 and121 are POP-side interconnects. Theelectrical bumps119 and121 are depicted for illustrative purposes as they would likely be part of a POP package such that the POP-side pads118 and120 are part of a POP LGA.
Because of the translated effect of the offsetinterposer100, a useful keep-out zone (KOZ)150 forunderfill material152 may be maintained, and a larger logic die138, has a useful underfill amount while the series ofbumps115 and117 remains protected from contamination by theunderfill material152.
In an embodiment, thechip package101 is assembled to a computing system that has a smartphone form factor. In an embodiment, thechip package101 is assembled to a computing system that has a tablet form factor.
FIG. 3 is a cross-section elevation of an offsetinterposer300 according to an example embodiment. The offsetinterposer300 includes a center throughhole308 which is provided to allow clearance for a first-level device such as a processor. Similarly, an interposerlateral edge306 defines the outer lateral surface of the offsetinterposer300. The offsetinterposer300 also includes aland side312 that is configured to interface with a first-level interconnect such as a package for a processor. Opposite theland side312 is aPOP side310.
Two adjacent, spaced-apart land-side pads314 and316 are disposed on theland side312. Similarly, two adjacent spaced-apart POP-side pads318 and320 are disposed on thePOP side310. A given POP-side pad318 is coupled to a given land-side pad314 through auseful vias325. Similarly, a given adjacent and spaced-apart POP-side pad320 is coupled to a corresponding given land-side pad316 throughuseful vias327.
As indicated on the offsetinterposer300 at the right side thereof, a land-side pad spacing328 and a POP-side pad spacing330 define the center-to-center pad spacings of the respective sides. In an embodiment, the land-side-pad spacing328 is configured to match conventional pad spacings that interface conventional first-level interconnects. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing330 is equal to the land-side pad spacing328. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing330 is 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the land-side pad spacing328 is 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing330 is 0.5 mm and the land-side pad spacing328 is less than 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing330 is unity and the land-side pad spacing328 is less than unity such as 80% of unity. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing330 is 0.5 mm and the land-side pad spacing328 is 0.4 mm.
The POP-side pads318 and320 are offset or translated in the X-direction with respect to the land-side pads314 and316, respectively. As illustrated, the land-side pads314 and316 have a land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension334 and the POP-side pads318 and320 have a POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension332. It is seen in this embodiment, that the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension334 is larger than the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension334. When observed in plan view, the POP-side pads are arrayed with a perimeter that is less than but concentric with the perimeter of the land-side pads.
As illustrated according to an embodiment, offset of the POP-side pads318 and320 is such that the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension332 is less than that of the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension334 such that thetraces124 and126 depicted inFIG. 1aare not needed. For example, the footprint of the POP-side pad318 overlaps (in the X-direction when projected in the Z-direction) the footprint of the land-side pad314 and the via325 interconnects the tworespective pads318 and314 by direct contact. Similarly for example, the footprint of the POP-side pad320 overlaps the footprint of the land-side pad316 and the via327 interconnects the tworespective pads320 and318 by direct contact. In an embodiment, overlap of the POP-side pad by the land-side pad is 100 percent. In an embodiment, overlap of the POP-side pad by the land-side pad is in a range from 1 percent to less than 100 percent. In an embodiment, overlap of the POP-side pad by the land-side pad is less than 50 percent. This embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 3. In an embodiment, overlap of the POP-side pad by the land-side pad is greater than 50 percent. It may now be appreciated that one embodiment includes the X-Y footprint of the POP-side pads114 and116 is exclusive of the X-Y footprint projection of the two corresponding land-side pads118 and120. This means there is no overlap of the X-Y footprint of any POP-side pad with its land-side pad projection. This embodiment may be seen illustrated inFIG. 1a. andFIG. 2.
It may now be appreciated that the perimeter that is defined by the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension132 is closer to theinner edge108 than the perimeter that is defined by the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134. As illustrated, the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134 is closer to theouter edge106 than the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension132. In an embodiment, the twocharacteristic dimensions132 and134 are the same. In all other embodiments, the land-side perimetercharacteristic dimension134 is closer to theouter edge106 and the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension132 is closer to theinner edge108.
FIG. 4 is a cross-section elevation of achip package401 with an offsetinterposer400 according to an example embodiment. In an embodiment, thechip package401 is assembled to a computing system that has a tablet form factor. In an embodiment, thechip package401 is assembled to a computing system that has a smartphone form factor.
The offsetinterposer400 illustrated inFIG. 4 is depicted mounted upon a first-level interconnect436 such as a mounting substrate for anelectronic device438. Theelectronic device438 is mounted flip-chip fashion upon the first-level interconnect436 and it has anactive surface440 and abackside surface442. Other configurations of a chip upon the first-level interconnect436 may include a wire-bond chip with the active surface facing away from the first-level interconnect436. The first-level interconnect436 is also configured to communicate to a foundation substrate such as thefoundation substrate144 depicted inFIG. 1a. The foundation substrate may be a tablet motherboard that is communicated to by an electrical array such as a ball-grid array that is illustrated with severalelectrical bumps446.
The offsetinterposer400 is coupled to the first-level interconnect436 by a series ofelectrical bumps415 and417 that correspond to land-side pads on the land-side surface410. Theelectrical bumps415 and417 are disposed on the land-side412. Similarly, a series ofelectrical bumps419,421, and453 are disposed on the POP-side410. Theelectrical bumps419,421, and453 are depicted for illustrative purposes as they would likely be part of a POP package such that the POP-side pads (such as the POP-side pads118 and120, depicted inFIG. 1a) are part of a POP LGA.
At the left side of the cross section, threeelectrical bumps419,421, and453 are seen, but on the right side thereof, only twoelectrical bumps419 and421 are seen in this cross section according to an embodiment. Further to the illustrated embodiment, POP-side pad spacing430 is greater than land-side pad spacing428. The bump count may be the same on both the land-side412 and the POP-side410, however, by virtue of the smaller land-side spacing428, which allows a denser bump array on the land-side412 than that on the POP-side410. In an example embodiment, the bump count is the same on thePOP side410 as on the land-side412. In an example embodiment, the bump count on the land-side412 is 88 and it is the same on thePOP side410 as on the land-side412.
In an embodiment, the POP-side bumps419,421, and453 accommodate a POP package (not pictured, see, e.g.,FIGS. 6, 7, and 8) that has the same X-Y dimensions as the offsetinterposer400. The difference, however, is the electrically connected POP-side bumps419,421, and453 on thePOP side410 are set at a larger pitch than the electrically connected land-side bumps415 and417.
As indicated on the offsetinterposer400 at the left side thereof, a land-side pad spacing428 and a POP-side pad spacing430 define the pad spacings of the respective sides. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing430 is 0.5 mm and the land-side pad spacing428 is 0.4 mm. Other comparative POP- to land-side pad spacing embodiments set forth in this disclosure may be applied to the illustration.
In an embodiment, the land-side-pad spacing428 is configured to match conventional pad spacings that interface conventional first-level interconnects. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing430 is equal to the land-side pad spacing428. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing430 is 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the land-side pad spacing428 is 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing430 is 0.5 mm and the land-side pad spacing428 is less than 0.5 mm. In an embodiment, the POP-side pad spacing430 is unity and the land-side pad spacing428 is less than unity such as 80% of unity.
It may now be appreciated that the offsetinterposer400 may have land-side pads that accommodate a two-bump row of electrical connections, but the POP-side pads accommodate a three-bump row of electrical connections. In an example embodiment, a memory module that is to be mounted onto the POP bumps419,421, and453 is accommodated and adapted to a larger logic die438 by using a tighter-pitch array of land-side bumps415 and417 that is configured as a two-bump row of electrical connections. In an embodiment, thechip package401 is assembled to a computing system that has a tablet form factor.
FIG. 5 is a top plan cutaway500 of the offsetinterposer400 depicted inFIG. 4 according to an example embodiment. The offsetinterposer400 depicted inFIG. 4 is illustrated at thesection line4. It can be seen when sighting from left-to-right along the X-direction that the series ofelectrical bumps419,421, and453 on the left side is intermingled as a row of three bumps positioned between alternating rows of two bumps. Similarly on the right side, a series ofelectrical bumps419 and421 is intermingled as a row of two bumps positioned between alternating rows of three bumps according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the two-bump row, three-bump row configuration may be mixed and matched. It is seen that in the bottom right, two three-bump rows are spaced apart and adjacent to each other.
As illustrated, the series ofelectrical bumps419,421,453 (and continuing from left-to-right)421 and419 help to define the POP-side perimetercharacteristic dimension432.
FIG. 6ais a cross-section elevation of achip package601 with an offsetinterposer600 according to an example embodiment. The offsetinterposer600 illustrated inFIG. 6 is depicted mounted upon a first-level interconnect636 such as a mounting substrate for anelectronic device638. The first-level interconnect636 is also depicted mounted upon afoundation substrate644 according to any of the embodiments set forth in this disclosure. Theelectronic device638 is mounted flip-chip fashion upon the first-level interconnect636.
APOP substrate654 is mounted on electrical bumps that are on the POP side of the offsetinterposer600. ThePOP substrate654 is depicted with a POP device658 such as amemory die656.
It may now be appreciated that the offsetinterposer600 may have land-side pads that accommodate, e.g., a 12×12 mm landing onto the first-level interconnect636 and the POP-side pads accommodate aPOP substrate654 that is smaller than the 12×12 size example. Thus, where the footprint of the offsetinterposer600 onto the first-level interconnect636 is, e.g., 12×12 mm, and where thePOP device656 is smaller, the offsetinterposer600 accommodates the smaller size of thePOP device656 without disrupting what may be a useful 12×12 mm size of the footprint of theinterposer600 upon the first-level interconnect636.
It may now be appreciated that the offsetinterposer600 may have land-side pads that accommodate, e.g., a 14×14 mm landing that is needed for a givenelectronic device638, while the landing size onto the first-level interconnect636 is needed to be 14×14 mm, the POP-side pads accommodate aPOP substrate654 that is smaller but perhaps a useful, e.g., 12×12 mm footprint. In an example embodiment, alarger processor638 is needed but aPOP substrate654 has a 12×12 mm footprint onto the offsetinterposer600. It may now be appreciated that all comparative pad spacing embodiments may be applied to the illustration.
FIG. 6bis a cross-section elevation of achip package603 with an offsetinterposer400 according to an example embodiment. The offsetinterposer400 illustrated inFIG. 6 is depicted mounted upon a first-level interconnect636 such as a mounting substrate for anelectronic device638. The first-level interconnect636 is also depicted mounted upon afoundation substrate644 according to any of the embodiments set forth in this disclosure. Theelectronic device638 is mounted flip-chip fashion upon the first-level interconnect636.
APOP substrate654 is mounted on electrical bumps that are on the POP side of the offsetinterposer600. ThePOP substrate654 is depicted with a POP device658 such as amemory die656.
It may now be appreciated that the offsetinterposer400 and thePOP substrate654 may have similar X-Y form factors. It may now be appreciated that all comparative pad spacing embodiments may be applied to the illustration.
FIG. 7 is a cross-section elevation of achip package701 with an offsetinterposer700 according to an example embodiment. The offsetinterposer700 illustrated inFIG. 7 is depicted mounted upon a first-level interconnect736 such as a mounting substrate for an electronic device738. The first-level interconnect736 is also depicted mounted upon afoundation substrate744 according to any of the embodiments set forth in this disclosure. The electronic device738 is mounted flip-chip fashion upon the first-level interconnect736. Astacked die758 is mounted on the electronic device738 according to an embodiment. Thestacked die754 is a wire-bonded device that is in electrical communication with other devices through the first-level interconnect736 depicted in thechip package701.
APOP substrate754 is mounted on electrical bumps that are on the POP side of the offsetinterposer700. ThePOP substrate754 is depicted with a POP device such as amemory die756. In an embodiment, thestacked device758 is a radio frequency (RF) die and thePOP device756 is a memory die.
It may now be appreciated that the offsetinterposer700 may have land-side pads that accommodate, e.g., a 12×12 mm landing onto the first-level interconnect736 and the POP-side pads accommodate aPOP substrate754 that is smaller than the 12×12 size example, but sufficient clearance is provided between the first-level interconnect636 and thePOP substrate754 to accommodate both the electronic device738 and thestacked die758. Thus, where the footprint of the offsetinterposer700 onto the first-level interconnect736 is, e.g., 12×12 mm, and where thePOP device756 is smaller, the offsetinterposer700 accommodates the smaller size of thePOP device756 without disrupting what may be a useful size of the footprint of theinterposer700 upon the first-level interconnect736.
It may now be appreciated that the offsetinterposer700 may have land-side pads that accommodate, e.g., a 14×14 mm landing that is needed for a given electronic device738, while the landing size onto the first-level interconnect736 is needed to be 14×14 mm, the POP-side pads accommodate aPOP substrate754 that is smaller but perhaps a useful 12×12 mm footprint. In an example embodiment, a larger processor738 is needed but aPOP substrate754 has a 12×12 mm footprint onto the offsetinterposer700. It may now be appreciated that all comparative pad spacing embodiments may be applied to the illustration.
It may now be appreciated that an offset interposer such as the offsetinterposer400 depicted inFIG. 4 may be used inFIG. 7 in the place of the offsetinterposer700, where a three-ball-count row configuration is translated from the POP side to a two-ball-count row configuration on the land-side.
FIG. 8 is a cross-section elevation of achip package801 with an offsetinterposer800 according to an example embodiment. The offsetinterposer800 illustrated inFIG. 8 is depicted mounted upon a first-level interconnect836 such as a mounting substrate for anelectronic device838. The first-level interconnect836 is also depicted mounted upon a foundation substrate844 according to any of the embodiments set forth in this disclosure. Theelectronic device838 is mounted flip-chip fashion upon the first-level interconnect836. Theelectronic device838 is depicted as a through-silicon (through the die) via (TSV)839device838 and astacked die858 is mounted flip-chip fashion on the TSVelectronic device838 according to an embodiment. Thestacked die854 is a flip-chip device that is in electrical communication with other devices through the first-level interconnect836 by theTSVs839 depicted in thechip package801.
APOP substrate854 is mounted on electrical bumps that are on the POP side of the offsetinterposer800. ThePOP substrate854 is depicted with a POP device such as amemory die756. In an embodiment, thestacked device858 is a memory die and thePOP device856 is wire-bondedRF device856.
It may now be appreciated that the offsetinterposer800 may have land-side pads that accommodate, e.g., a 12×12 mm landing onto the first-level interconnect836 and the POP-side pads accommodate aPOP substrate854 that is smaller than the 12×12 size example, but sufficient clearance is provided between the first-level interconnect836 and thePOP substrate854 to accommodate both the TSVelectronic device838 and thestacked die858. Thus, where the footprint of the offsetinterposer800 onto the rust-level interconnect836 is, e.g., 12×12 mm, and where thePOP device856 is smaller, the offsetinterposer800 accommodates the smaller size of thePOP device856 without disrupting what may be a useful size of the footprint of theinterposer800 upon the first-level interconnect836.
It may now be appreciated that the offsetinterposer800 may have land-side pads that accommodate, e.g., a 14×14 mm landing that is needed for a given TSVelectronic device838, while the landing size onto the first-level interconnect836 is needed to be 14×14 mm, the POP-side pads accommodate aPOP substrate854 that is smaller but perhaps a useful 12×12 mm footprint. In an example embodiment, alarger TSV processor838 is needed but aPOP substrate854 has a 12×12 mm footprint onto the offsetinterposer800. It may now be appreciated that all comparative pad spacing embodiments may be applied to the illustration.
It may now be appreciated that an offset interposer such as the offsetinterposer400 depicted inFIG. 4 may be used inFIG. 8 in the place of the offsetinterposer800, where a three-ball-count row configuration is translated from the POP side to a two-ball-count row configuration on the land-side.
FIG. 9 is a process and method flow diagram according to example embodiments.
At910, a process embodiment includes forming an offset interposer. An offset interposer may be built by known technique to achieve the several disclosed embodiment. For example, formation of an offset interposer includes laminating traces and BGA pads onto a core with a useful configuration of translated pads when comparing POP side pad placement to land-side pad placement.
At912, an embodiment of building the offset interposer includes making the ball-pad pitch on the POP side the same as that on the land side. It may now be understood that ball-pad pitch may be different on one side compared to the other side.
At914, an embodiment of building the offset interposer includes making the POP-side pads overlap the landside pads. In an non-limiting example embodiment, the POP-side pads318 and320 overlap their corresponding land-side pads314 and316, respectively.
At915, an embodiment of building the offset interposer includes coupling the POP-side pad with its corresponding land-side pad by direct contact only with a via.
At920, a method of assembling an offset interposer to a first-level interconnect includes mating the land-side of pads to electrical bumps that are disposed on a first-level interconnect.
At930, a method embodiment includes assembling the offset interposer to a POP substrate.
At940, a method embodiment includes assembling the offset interposer to a computing system.
FIG. 10 is a schematic of a computer system according to an embodiment. The computer system1000 (also referred to as the electronic system1000) as depicted can embody an offset interposer according to any of the several disclosed embodiments and their equivalents as set forth in this disclosure. An apparatus that includes an offset interposer that is assembled to a computer system. Thecomputer system1000 may be a smartphone. Thecomputer system1000 may be a tablet computer. Thecomputer system1000 may be a mobile device such as a netbook computer. Thecomputer system1000 may be a desktop computer. Thecomputer system1000 may be integral to an automobile. Thecomputer system1000 may be integral to a television. Thecomputer system1000 may be integral to a DVD player. Thecomputer system1000 may be integral to a digital camcorder.
In an embodiment, theelectronic system1000 is a computer system that includes asystem bus1020 to electrically couple the various components of theelectronic system1000. Thesystem bus1020 is a single bus or any combination of busses according to various embodiments. Theelectronic system1000 includes avoltage source1030 that provides power to anintegrated circuit1010. In some embodiments, thevoltage source1030 supplies current to theintegrated circuit1010 through thesystem bus1020.
Theintegrated circuit1010 is electrically coupled to thesystem bus1020 and includes any circuit, or combination of circuits according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, theintegrated circuit1010 includes aprocessor1012 that can be of any type of an apparatus that includes an offset interposer embodiment. As used herein, theprocessor1012 may mean any type of circuit such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or another processor. In an embodiment, SRAM embodiments are found in memory caches of theprocessor1012. Other types of circuits that can be included in theintegrated circuit1010 are a custom circuit or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), such as acommunications circuit1014 for use in non-equivalent wireless devices such as cellular telephones, smartphones, pagers, portable computers, two-way radios, and other electronic systems. In an embodiment, theprocessor1010 includes on-die memory1016 such as static random-access memory (SRAM). In an embodiment, theprocessor1010 includes embedded on-die memory1016 such as embedded dynamic random-access memory (eDRAM).
In an embodiment, theintegrated circuit1010 is complemented with a subsequentintegrated circuit1011 such as a graphics processor or a radio-frequency integrated circuit or both as set forth in this disclosure. In an embodiment, the dualintegrated circuit1010 includes embedded on-die memory1017 such as eDRAM. The dualintegrated circuit1011 includes an RFICdual processor1013 and adual communications circuit1015 and dual on-die memory1017 such as SRAM. In an embodiment, thedual communications circuit1015 is particularly configured for RF processing.
In an embodiment, at least onepassive device1080 is coupled to the subsequentintegrated circuit1011 such that theintegrated circuit1011 and the at least one passive device are part of the any apparatus embodiment that includes an offset interposer that includes the integratedcircuit1010 and theintegrated circuit1011. In an embodiment, the at least one passive device is a sensor such as an accelerometer for a tablet or smartphone.
In an embodiment, theelectronic system1000 includes anantenna element1082 such as any coreless pin-grid array substrate embodiment set forth in this disclosure. By use of theantenna element1082, aremote device1084 such as a television, may be operated remotely through a wireless link by an apparatus embodiment. For example, an application on a smart telephone that operates through a wireless link broadcasts instructions to a television up to about 30 meters distant such as by Bluetooth® technology. In an embodiment, the remote device(s) includes a global positioning system of satellites for which the antenna element(s) are configured as receivers.
In an embodiment, theelectronic system1000 also includes anexternal memory1040 that in turn may include one or more memory elements suitable to the particular application, such as amain memory1042 in the form of RAM, one or morehard drives1044, and/or one or more drives that handleremovable media1046, such as diskettes, compact disks (CDs), digital variable disks (DVDs), flash memory drives, and other removable media known in the art. In an embodiment, theexternal memory1040 is part of a POP package that is stacked upon an offset interposer according to any disclosed embodiments. In an embodiment, theexternal memory1040 is embeddedmemory1048 such an apparatus that includes an offset interposer mated to both a first-level interconnect and to a POP memory module substrate according to any disclosed embodiment.
In an embodiment, theelectronic system1000 also includes adisplay device1050, and anaudio output1060. In an embodiment, theelectronic system1000 includes an input device such as acontroller1070 that may be a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, keypad, trackball, game controller, microphone, voice-recognition device, or any other input device that inputs information into theelectronic system1000. In an embodiment, aninput device1070 includes a camera. In an embodiment, aninput device1070 includes a digital sound recorder. In an embodiment, aninput device1070 includes a camera and a digital sound recorder.
Afoundation substrate1090 may be part of thecomputing system1000. In an embodiment, thefoundation substrate1090 is a motherboard that supports an apparatus that includes an offset interposer. In an embodiment, thefoundation substrate1090 is a board which supports an apparatus that includes an offset interposer. In an embodiment, thefoundation substrate1090 incorporates at least one of the functionalities encompassed within the dashedline1090 and is a substrate such as the user shell of a wireless communicator.
As shown herein, theintegrated circuit1010 can be implemented in a number of different embodiments, an apparatus that includes an offset interposer according to any of the several disclosed embodiments and their equivalents, an electronic system, a computer system, one or more methods of fabricating an integrated circuit, and one or more methods of fabricating and assembling an apparatus that includes an offset interposer according to any of the several disclosed embodiments as set forth herein in the various embodiments and their art-recognized equivalents. The elements, materials, geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations can all be varied to suit particular I/O coupling requirements including offset interposer embodiments and their equivalents.
Although a die may refer to a processor chip, an RF chip, an RFIC chip, IPD chip, or a memory chip may be mentioned in the same sentence, but it should not be construed that they are equivalent structures. Reference throughout this disclosure to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this disclosure are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Terms such as “upper” and “lower” “above” and “below” may be understood by reference to the illustrated X-Z coordinates, and terms such as “adjacent” may be understood by reference to X-Y coordinates or to non-Z coordinates.
The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.
It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, material, and arrangements of the parts and method stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the invention as expressed in the subjoined claims.