This US non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 USC §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0093869, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 28, 2010, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The inventive concept described herein generally relates to semiconductor packages and, more particularly, to a multi-stack semiconductor package.
In a multi-stack semiconductor package, a plurality of semiconductor chips is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The quantity of a plurality of conductive pads connecting the PCB to the semiconductor chips increases with an increase in the quantity of semiconductor chips mounted on the PCB. As a result, a fine pitch is applied to a space between the pads. Additionally, bonding wires connecting semiconductor chips with pads increase in length. As a result, electrical characteristics of the bonding wires may be degraded.
According to one aspect, the inventive concept is directed to a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes: a first substrate; a first semiconductor chip mounted on the first substrate; a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate; a second semiconductor chip mounted on the second substrate; first pads disposed on the first substrate; second pads disposed on the second substrate to be opposite to the first pads; and connection patterns electrically connecting the opposite first and second pads to each other, respectively. The first pads are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the central axis of the first substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, first pads transmitting and receiving the same signal are collectively disposed in one region of the first substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, one of the first pads transmitting and receiving the same signal deviates from the one region, and the semiconductor package further comprises a redistribution pad electrically connected to the one first pad and disposed in the one region.
In some exemplary embodiments, the semiconductor package further comprises an integrated first pad into which at least two of the first pads transmitting and receiving the same signal are integrated.
In some exemplary embodiments, the integrated first pad is greater in size than each of the first pads.
In some exemplary embodiments, the central axis of the first semiconductor chip deviates from the central axis of the first substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, the central axis of the second semiconductor chip deviates from the central axis of the second substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, the second pads are asymmetrical with respect to the central axis of the second substrate.
According to another aspect, the inventive concept is directed to a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes: a substrate; a semiconductor chip mounted on the substrate; and a plurality of connection patterns disposed on a first surface of the substrate, the connection patterns being disposed asymmetrically with respect to the central axis of the substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, the semiconductor chip deviates from the central axis of the substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, the semiconductor package further comprises a plurality of pads formed on the substrate to electrically connect the semiconductor chip to the connection patterns.
In some exemplary embodiments, pads transmitting and receiving the same signal are collectively disposed in one region of the substrate, and connection patterns connected to the pads are also collectively disposed in the one region of the substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, the semiconductor package further comprises: an integrated pad into which at least two pads transmitting and receiving the same signal are integrated; and an integrated connection pattern electrically connected to the integrated pad.
In some exemplary embodiments, the integrated connection pattern has a greater size than each of the connection patterns.
According to another aspect, the inventive concept is directed to a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes: a first substrate; a first semiconductor chip mounted on the first substrate; a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate; a second semiconductor chip mounted on the second substrate; first pads disposed on the first substrate; second pads disposed on the second substrate to be opposite to the first pads; and connection patterns electrically connecting the opposite first and second pads to each other, respectively. The first pads are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the central axis of the first substrate. First pads transmitting and receiving the same signal are collectively disposed in one region of the first substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, the semiconductor package is the package of a semiconductor memory used with a memory card.
In some exemplary embodiments, the semiconductor package is the package of a semiconductor memory used in an information processing system.
In some exemplary embodiments, the central axis of the first semiconductor chip deviates from the central axis of the first substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, the central axis of the second semiconductor chip deviates from the central axis of the second substrate.
In some exemplary embodiments, the second pads are asymmetrical with respect to the central axis of the second substrate.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventive concept will be apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventive concept contained herein, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts or elements throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the inventive concept. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.
The advantages and features of the inventive concept will be apparent from the following exemplary embodiments that will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the inventive concept is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are provided only to describe examples of the inventive concept and to let those skilled in the art understand the nature of the inventive concept.
In the specification, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when an element such as a layer or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, e.g., layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other element, e.g., layer or substrate, or intervening elements, e.g., layers or substrates, may also be present.
Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described below with reference to cross-sectional views and/or top plan views, which are exemplary drawings of the invention. The exemplary drawings are schematic in nature and actual shapes of features illustrated in the drawings may deviate from the idealized schematic illustrations in the drawings, due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention are not limited to specific configurations shown in the drawings, and include modifications based on the method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. For example, an etched region shown at a right angle may be formed in a rounded shape or formed to have a predetermined curvature. Therefore, regions shown in the drawings have schematic characteristics. In addition, the shapes of the regions shown in the drawings exemplify specific shapes of regions in an element, and do not limit the invention. Though terms such as first, second, and third are used to describe various elements in various embodiments of the inventive concept, the elements are not limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another element. An embodiment described and exemplified herein includes a complementary embodiment thereof.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the inventive concept are shown.
Referring to
As illustrated in
According to one exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the semiconductor package may be a multi-stack package comprising a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first semiconductor chip package module 1 may include a first substrate 100, a first semiconductor chip 102, first pads 110, and a first encapsulant 112.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first substrate 100 may be a semiconductor substrate containing, for example, silicon or germanium. The first substrate 100 may have a first surface and a second surface, that is, one surface and another surface. The first semiconductor chip 102 may be mounted on the one surface of the first substrate 100, and the first pads 110 may be mounted on the other surface thereof.
In general, the first semiconductor chip 102 may be mounted at a location that deviates from the central axis of the first substrate 100, on one surface of the first substrate 100. According to some exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the first semiconductor chip 102 may be wire-bonded to the first substrate 100. More specifically, first chip pads 104 may be disposed on the first semiconductor chip 102 and first substrate pads 106 may be disposed on the first substrate 100. A bonding wire 108 may be connected between each of the first chip pads 104 and each of the first substrate pads 106, such that each of the first chip pads 104 and each of the first substrate pads 106 may electrically connect the first semiconductor chip 102 with the first substrate 100 through a bonding wire 108.
In general, the first pads 110 may be disposed at a location that deviates from the central axis of the first substrate 100, on the other surface of the first substrate 100. According to some exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the first pads 110 may be disposed asymmetrically with respect to the central axis of the first substrate 100.
Referring to
In general, a portion receiving the same signal is disposed at one region of the first semiconductor chip 102. The first pads 110 transmitting and receiving the signal may be collectively disposed adjacent to the one region of the first semiconductor chip 102. As a result, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, a signal distance between the first semiconductor chip 102 and the first pads 110 may be reduced to prevent generation of noise therebetween.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the first pads 110 may be an integrated first pad 110m into which at least two first pads 110 transmitting and receiving the same signal are integrated. In addition, in some exemplary embodiments, the integrated first pad 110m may have a dimension “D” that is substantially greater than a dimension “d” of non-integrated first pads 110b.
The quantity of first pads 110 may decrease with the use of the integrated first pad 110m. Electrical reliability of first pads 110 may be improved with the use of a greater integrated first pad 110m. In some exemplary embodiments, the first pads 110b are not actually physically existing pads, which is indicated by dotted lines for clarity of description.
Returning to
The first encapsulant 112 may protect the first semiconductor chip 102 and the bonding wire 108 from the effects of an external impact and may electrically insulate the first semiconductor chip 102 and the bonding wire 108 from an external element. In some exemplary embodiments, the first encapsulant 112 may be made of, for example, epoxy resin.
In some exemplary embodiments, the second semiconductor chip package module 2 may include a second substrate 120, a second semiconductor chip 122, second pads 126, and second encapsulant 125.
In some particular exemplary embodiments, the second substrate 120 may be a substrate disposed at the lowest portion in a multi-stack package. In some exemplary embodiments, the second substrate 120 may be, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB).
The second substrate 120 may have a first surface and a second surface, that is, one surface and another surface. The second semiconductor chip 122 may be mounted on the one surface of the second substrate 120, and the second pads 126 may be disposed thereon. External terminals 128 may be electrically connected to the other surface of the second substrate 120. In some particular exemplary embodiments, the external terminals 128 may be, for example, solder balls.
The second semiconductor chip 122 may be mounted at a location that deviates from the central axis of the second substrate 120, on the one surface of the second substrate 120. According to some exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the second semiconductor chip 122 may be electrically connected to the second substrate 120 through solder balls 124. More specifically, second chip pads 121 may be disposed on the second semiconductor chip 122 and second substrate pads 123 may be disposed on the second substrate 120. The second semiconductor chip 122 may be spaced apart from the second substrate 120 such that the second chip pads 121 face the second substrate pads 123. Solder balls 124 may be disposed at the space between the second semiconductor chip 122 and the second substrate 120 to electrically connect the second chip pads 121 to the second substrate pads 123.
The second pads 126 may be disposed at a location that deviates from the central axis of the second substrate 120, on the one surface of the second substrate 120. According to some exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the second pads 126 may be disposed at a location corresponding to the first pads 110. The second pads 126 may be disposed asymmetrically with respect to the central axis of the second substrate 120.
In some exemplary embodiments, the second encapsulant 125 may be formed while filling the space between the second substrate 120 and the second semiconductor chip 122. Also, in some exemplary embodiments, the second encapsulant 125 may be formed while covering the solder balls 124 electrically connecting the second substrate 120 to the second semiconductor chip 122.
The second encapsulant 125 may electrically insulate the solder balls 124 from an external element. In some exemplary embodiments, the second encapsulant 125 may be made of, for example, epoxy resin.
In some exemplary embodiments, the connection patterns 130 may electrically connect the first semiconductor chip package module 1 to the second semiconductor chip package module 2. More specifically, in some exemplary embodiments, the first semiconductor chip package module 1 and the second semiconductor chip package module 2 may be spaced apart from each other. The first pads 110 of the first semiconductor chip package module 1 may be disposed to face the second pads 126 of the second semiconductor chip package module 2. The second pads 126 may be disposed at locations corresponding to the first pads 110. The connection patterns 130 may be disposed at the space between the first semiconductor chip package module 1 and the second semiconductor chip package module 2 to electrically connect the first pads 110 to the second pads 126. In some exemplary embodiments, the connection patterns 130 may be, for example, solder balls.
In various exemplary embodiments described in detail below, various arrangement structures for 64 connection patterns 130 will be described. In this case, since the connection patterns 130 are electrically connected to the first pads 110 and the second pads 126, the arrangement of the first pads 110 and the second pads 126 may be substantially identical to that of the connection patterns 130.
Referring to
In the first quadrant 11 of the first substrate 100, three columns may be aligned in the Y-axis direction to dispose fifteen connection patterns 130 among sixty four connection patterns 130. The three columns may be disposed on the edge of the first substrate 100. In the second quadrant 12, one column may be aligned in the Y-axis direction to dispose five connection patterns 130. The one column may be disposed on the edge of the first substrate 100. In the third quadrant 13, four columns may be aligned in the X-axis direction and one connection pattern 130 may be disposed adjacent to the X-axis to dispose twenty one connection patterns 130. In the fourth quadrant 14, four columns may be aligned in the X-axis direction and three connection patterns 130 may be disposed adjacent to the X-axis to dispose twenty three connection patterns 130.
It should be noted that the configuration shown in
According to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the first substrate 100 or the second substrate 200 may be provided with a chip selection pad. Among a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips, any semiconductor chip may be selectively driven through the chip's selection pad.
Referring to
In this exemplary embodiment, an arrangement structure for 64 connection patterns 130 will be described by way of an illustrative example. A first substrate 100 is divided into four regions or quadrants on the basis of X-axis and Y-axis penetrating the center of the first substrate 100. In a counter-clockwise direction from a right upper portion, a first quadrant 21, a second quadrant 22, a third quadrant 23, and a fourth quadrant 24 are defined. The term “column” as used below means a structure in which five connection patterns are spaced apart from each other and arranged in an X-axis or Y-axis direction. In addition, in some particular exemplary embodiments, 5×5, i.e., 25, connection patterns 130 may be arranged in one quadrant.
In the first quadrant 21 of the first substrate 100, three columns may be aligned in the Y-axis direction and two connection patterns 130 may be disposed adjacent to the Y-axis to dispose seventeen connection patterns 130. The three columns may be disposed on the edge of the first substrate 100. The two connection patterns 130 may be disposed on the edge of the first substrate 100 to be parallel with the X-axis. In the second quadrant 22, one column may be aligned in the Y-axis direction and four connection patterns 130 may be disposed adjacent to the Y-axis to dispose nine connection patterns 130. The one column may be disposed on the edge of the first substrate 100. The four connection patterns 130 may be disposed on the edge of the first substrate 100 to be parallel with the X-axis. In the third quadrant 23, three columns may be aligned in the X-axis direction and two connection patterns 130 may be disposed adjacent to the X-axis to dispose seventeen connection patterns 130. In the fourth quadrant 24, three columns may be aligned in the X-axis direction and six connection patterns 130 may be disposed adjacent to the X-axis to dispose twenty one connection patterns 130.
The above embodiment and the detailed description thereof is merely exemplary. In accordance with the inventive concept, connection patterns arranged asymmetrically on the basis of the center axis of the first substrate 100 are possibly provided as the connection patterns 130.
Referring to
The first semiconductor chip package module 1 may include a first substrate 100, a first semiconductor chip 102, first pads 110, and a first encapsulant 112. The first semiconductor chip package module 1 may further include first chip pads 104 disposed on the first semiconductor chip 102 and first substrate pads 106 disposed on the first substrate 100. The first chip pads 104 and the first substrate pads 106 may be electrically connected by a bonding wire 108. According to some exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, first pads (110r in
In some exemplary embodiments, the second semiconductor chip package module 2 may include a second substrate 120, a second semiconductor chip 122, second pads 126, and a second encapsulant 125. The second semiconductor chip package module 2 may further include second chip pads 121 disposed on the second semiconductor chip 122 and second substrate pads 123 disposed on the second substrate 120. In some exemplary embodiments, the second chip pads 121 and the second substrate pads 123 may be electrically connected by solder balls 124.
The connection patterns 130 may electrically connect the first semiconductor chip package module 1 to the second semiconductor chip package module 2.
In the exemplary embodiment described in detail below, an arrangement structure for 64 connection patterns 130 will be described. In some exemplary embodiments, the first substrate 100 is divided into four regions or quadrants on the basis of X-axis and Y-axis penetrating the center of the first substrate 100. In a counter-clockwise direction from a right upper portion, a first quadrant 31, a second quadrant 32, a third quadrant 33, and a fourth quadrant 34 are defined. The term “column” as used below means a structure in which five connection patterns are spaced apart from each other and arranged in an X-axis or Y-axis direction. In addition, in some exemplary embodiments, 5×5, i.e., 25, connection patterns 130 may be arranged in one quadrant.
In the first quadrant 31 of the first substrate 100, four columns may be aligned in the Y-axis direction to dispose twenty connection patterns 130 among sixty four connection patterns 130. The four columns may be disposed on the edge of the first substrate 100. In the second quadrant 32, no connection pattern 130 may be disposed. In the third quadrant 33, four columns may be aligned in the X-axis direction to dispose twenty connection patterns 130. The four columns may be disposed on the edge of the substrate 100. In the fourth quadrant 34, four columns may be aligned in the Y-axis direction and four connection patterns 130 may be disposed adjacent to the X-axis to dispose twenty four connection patterns 130. The four connection patterns 130 may be disposed to be parallel with the Y-axis.
Detailed description of like elements to those of
Referring to
The semiconductor memory 310 applied to the memory card 300 may include a semiconductor package according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept described herein in detail. According to the inventive concept, increasing a size of a connection pattern electrically connecting semiconductor package modules increases to enhance electrical reliability. Moreover, pads transmitting and receiving the same signal are collectively disposed to shorten the connection path.
Referring to
According to the foregoing embodiments of the inventive concept, pads transmitting and receiving the same signal are collectively arranged in one region to shorten a connection path with a semiconductor chip. In addition, there is provided an integrated pad into which at least two of the pads transmitting and receiving the same signal are integrated. The integrated pad allows the quantity of pads to be reduced. Thus, pads can increase in size to enhance electrical contact reliability.
While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2010-0093869 | Sep 2010 | KR | national |