An integrated circuit (IC) package may be used to contain and electrically couple an IC die to external components and circuitry. According to some conventions, electrical contacts of an IC die are coupled to electrical contacts of a substrate of an IC package, which are in turn electrically coupled to external contacts of the IC package. The external contacts of the IC package may include a number of contacts arranged in any of a number of suitable patterns.
The external contacts may be attached, even removably so, to an IC socket that may in turn be coupled to other components such as, for example, a printed circuit board. Conventionally, the IC socket includes a socket frame defining an enclosed area within which a substrate carrying a die is received. The substrate is confined to fit within the interior area defined by the socket frame.
Accordingly, the size of the substrate is limited due to the constraints placed thereon by the size of the IC socket. In order to change the size of the substrate, the dimensions of the IC socket must be changed. A redesign and manufacture of an IC socket is a timely and costly enterprise. Additionally, there is a limited surface area available on the substrate to accommodate components other than the die.
The several embodiments described herein are solely for the purpose of illustration. Embodiments may include any currently or hereafter-known versions of the elements described herein. Therefore, persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description that other embodiments may be practiced with various modifications and alterations.
The orientation feature of through-hole 125 includes a chamfered corner. In some embodiments, the orientation feature included with at least one of the plurality of through-holes in substrate 105 may include a distinguishing size, shape, and combinations thereof. For example, the orientation feature may include a larger or smaller opening, a different shaped opening such as “L”-shaped or not “L”-shaped, circular-shaped, triangular-shaped, rectangular-shaped, and other shapes. The orientation feature may include a combination of shapes and sizing options.
Through-holes 110, 115, 120, 125 may be created using any of a number of processes and techniques, including those techniques and processes compatible with IC manufacturing processes. For example, through-holes 110, 115, 120, 125 may be made using a drilling process, a laser ablation process, and any other suitable process.
In some embodiments, areas 130 on substrate 105 may be available for the mounting of components. Areas 130 on substrate 105 may be made available due to a lack of a conventional socket frame in the vicinity thereof. Beam features 110, 115, 120, 125 herein provide substrate alignment and retention functionality, without an IC socket frame or wall in areas 130. In some embodiments, a similar area(s) of useable substrate surface may be available on an underside of substrate 105.
In some embodiments, beam features 210, 215, 220, 225 correspond to the plurality of through-holes 110, 115, 120, 125. In such instances, the orientation feature of the through-holes has a corresponding counterpart on the beam features. For example, beam feature 225 has a chamfered corner that corresponds and matches the chamfer of through-hole 125.
In some embodiments, beam features 210, 215, 220, 225 have through-holes 230 therein. The through-holes of the beam features may extend an entire length of the respective beam features. In some embodiments, the through-holes of the beam features may extend through the beam feature and further through the socket frame in an area in contact with the respective beam features.
In some embodiments, an array, matrix, or configuration of pin contacts (not shown) may be associated with IC socket frame 200. The matrix of pin contacts may be positioned in a pin contact area 235. The pin contacts my be positioned substantially even with an upper surface of socket body frame 205 or raised therefrom.
In some embodiments, the overall configuration of beam features 210, 215, 220, 225 may include an “L” shape, a circular shape, a triangular shape, rectangular shape, and other shapes to correspond to the shapes and sizes of through-holes 110, 115, 120, 125. In some embodiments, the shape and dimensions of the beam features and the substrate through-holes may be optimized through, for example, mechanical calculations and simulations of the beam's mechanical strength.
One of the beam features 315 has an orientation feature 320 thereon to orientate align substrate 305 onto IC socket frame 310 in the proper orientation. In this manner, substrate 305 may be efficiently and properly aligned with IC socket frame 310.
A top plate 430 and a bottom plate 440 are held together by attachment mechanisms 450 (e.g., screws). Attachment mechanisms 450 may cooperate with through-holes in beam features 415 to apply a compressive force between top plate 430 and bottom plate 440. Attachment mechanisms 450, the screws, may engage with attachment components 455. Attachment components 455 may include a nut. In some embodiments, the force applied to die 425 may be selectively varied by an adjustment of attachment mechanisms 450.
System 500 includes a device 565 between bottom plate 540 and PCB 535. Device(s) 565 may include heat dissipation materials, devices, and systems to manage thermal energy in a vicinity thereof. Hereto, the through-holes in beam features 515 facilitate an installation and alignment of devices 565 by providing, for example, an anchor point for the attachment mechanisms 550 that assist in positioning and retaining devices 565 in a desired location.
In some embodiments, devices 560 and 565 may be mechanical devices deployed to assist in the amount of force applied to die 525 and the other components. In some embodiments, devices 560 and 565 may include a spring, a semi-rigid material, etc.
The several embodiments described herein are solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons in the art will recognize from this description that other embodiments may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20070228531 A1 | Oct 2007 | US |