Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to electronic packages, and more particularly to packaging architectures that include memory stacks embedded in a mold layer and a die that spans across a package substrate opening.
Memory on package (MoP) architectures have been used in order achieve the best DDR performance and smallest SoC XY footprint. However, there are a few intrinsic issues that arise with existing MoP architectures. On issue is an increased Z-height. The addition of a tall memory package (e.g., a stack of memory dies on a memory package substrate) increases the Z-height of the device. For example, Z-heights may be increased by between 300 μm and 350 μm in some architectures. In some instances, the increase in the Z-height is mitigated by using a coreless package architecture. However, the use of a coreless architecture is an extremely expensive solution.
Additionally, the MoP architecture results in an overall SoC package XY form factor that is substantially large. This is due to the need to include a stiffener in order to control warpage of the package substrate. In some instances, a combination stiffener and integrated heat spreader (IHS) is used in order to control warpage and improve thermal performance. However, such architectures are expensive solutions.
Described herein are packaging architectures that include memory stacks embedded in a mold layer and a die that spans across a package substrate opening, in accordance with various embodiments. In the following description, various aspects of the illustrative implementations will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative implementations. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative implementations.
Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
The die module 130 may include any number of dies 131 in any architecture. For example, a single die 131 is shown in
The memory die stacks 120 may include a memory package substrate 121. A stack of memory dies 122 may be provided over the memory package substrate 121. The memory dies 122 may be electrically coupled to the memory package substrate 121 through wire bonds 123. Due to the presence of the memory package substrate 121, the length of the routing from the memory dies 122 to the die module 130 is long. This leads to larger delays and signal integrity issues. Additionally, the memory package substrate 121 results in an increase in the Z-height of the electronic package 100. A stiffener 111 may also be needed in order to mitigate warpage issues. The presence of the stiffener 111 increase the X-Y dimensions of the electronic package 100.
Accordingly, memory on package (MoP) architectures, such as the one shown in
Particularly, a package substrate is provided and memory die stacks are provided directly on the package substrate. The memory dies 122 may be coupled to the package substrate 105 directly through wire bonds 123. As such, there is no need for a memory package substrate 121 between the memory dies 122 and the main package substrate 105. This results in a decrease in the Z-height of the device. Additionally, the XY form factor is reduced by the use of mold layer 125 around the memory die stacks 120. The mold layer 125 allows for the elimination of the stiffener 111 in some embodiments. That is, the mold layer 125 improves the stiffness of the package substrate 105, and there may not be a need for a stiffener. Additionally, Z-height is further reduced by spanning a die across an opening through the package substrate 105. A mold layer 125 with conductive pillars may electrically couple die pads to solder balls below the package substrate 105.
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the package substrate 205 may include a cutout 201. The cutout 201 may be located at a center of the package substrate 205. The cutout 201 is a cavity that passes entirely through a thickness of the package substrate 205. For example, the cutout 201 may sometimes be referred to as a through hole, a hole, or the like. The sidewalls of the cutout 201 may be substantially vertical. The cutout 201 may be formed with a mechanical drilling process, a laser drilling process, or the like. In
In an embodiment, one or more memory die stacks 220 may be provided over the package substrate 205. The memory die stacks 220 may comprise a stack of one or more memory dies 222. For example, a set of four memory dies 222 are shown in the memory die stacks 220. The memory dies 222 may be arranged in an offset pattern. As such, top surfaces of each memory die 222 are exposed. This allows for wire bonds 223 to be provided from each memory die 222 to the package substrate 205. Pads (not shown) may be on the package substrate 205 side of the wire bonds 223. As shown, the wire bonds 223 may be electrically coupled to the routing 215 within the package substrate 205.
In an embodiment, the memory die stacks 220 may also include a mold layer 225. The mold layer 225 may embed the memory dies 222 and the wire bonds 223. The mold layer 225 may also be a ring shaped layer that is provided around a perimeter of the package substrate 205. The mold layer 225 may increase the stiffness of the package substrate 205. As such, there may not be a need for a stiffener or the like. As such, space in the XY plane can be saved, and the form factor of the electronic package is reduced.
In an embodiment, the electronic package 200 may further comprise a die module 230. In an embodiment, the die module 230 may include one or more dies 231. The dies 231 may be compute dies, an SoC, or any other type of die. While a single die 231 is shown in
In an embodiment, the die 231 spans across the cutout 201. As shown, the die 231 is supported from below by pads 232 that are adjacent to the cutout 201. The die 231 may be coupled to the pads 232 by solder balls 233 or other interconnect architectures. In an embodiment, the pads 232 may be electrically coupled to the routing 215 in the package substrate 205. As such, the memory die stacks 220 are electrically coupled to the die 231 through the routing 215, the pads 232, and the solder balls 233. In an embodiment, the solder balls 233 may be surrounded by an underfill 237, such as a capillary underfill (CUF) material.
In an embodiment, the die module 230 may also include a mold layer 234. The mold layer 234 may be provided below the die 231. The mold layer 234 may pass through a thickness of the cutout 201. That is, the mold layer 234 may be thicker than the package substrate 205 in some embodiments. In an embodiment, conductive pillars 235 may pass through the mold layer 234. The conductive pillars 235 may be copper or the like. In an embodiment, the pillars 235 may terminate at pads 236. The pads 236 may be part of a redistribution layer (not shown) in some embodiments. The pads 236 may have interconnects 206 on the bottom surface, such as solder balls or the like. The interconnects 206 may also be provided over the backside of the package substrate 205.
Referring now to
In an embodiment, a plurality of memory die stacks 320 are provided on the package substrate 305. For example, a set of four memory die stacks 320 are shown in
In an embodiment, a plurality of pads 332 may be provided adjacent to the cutout 301. Two columns of pads 332 are provided on each side of the cutout 301 in
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the inner surface of the mold layer 325 may be sized to expose the pads 332. For example, a die module (not shown) may set onto the package substrate 305 within the mold layer 325. In other words, the mold layer 325 may surround an outer perimeter of the die module. When the mold layer 325 is in a ring shape, the electronic package 300 may omit a stiffener. This is because the mold layer 325 has a high stiffness and is mechanically coupled to the package substrate 305. As such, the mold layer 325 functions as the stiffener. This allows for space in the XY dimension to be saved and reduces the form factor of the electronic package 300.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the mold layer 325 extends to an edge of the package substrate 305. In other embodiments, the outer edge of the mold layer 325 may be inset from the outer edge of the package substrate 305, similar to the embodiments shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
In an embodiment, a cutout 401 is provided through a thickness of the package substrate 405. In an embodiment, the cutout 401 is surrounded on all sides by the package substrate 405. That is, the left portion of the package substrate 405 and the right portion of the package substrate 405 are coupled together by portions of the package substrate 405 outside of the plane of
Referring now to
The memory dies 422 may be arranged in an offset pattern. The offset pattern allows for a top surface of each of the memory dies 422 to be accessible in order to attach wire bonds 423. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire bonds 423 are directly contacting the routing 415. In other embodiments, pads (not shown) may be provided between the wire bonds 423 and the routing 415.
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In an embodiment, the die module 430 may be positioned so that the mold layer 434 and the pillars 435 pass through a thickness of the cutout 401. As shown, the bottom of the mold layer 434 may be substantially coplanar with the bottom surface of the package substrate 405. Though in other embodiments, the bottom of the mold layer 434 may be above or below the bottom surface of the package substrate 405. In an embodiment, interconnects 406 (e.g., solder balls or the like) may be provided on the bottom surface of the package substrate 405 and the pads 436 of the pillars 435.
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the electronic package 500 may include a package substrate 505 with a cutout 501. The package substrate 500 may also include a memory die stack 520 and a die module 530. The memory die stack 520 may be electrically coupled to the die module 530 by routing 515 in the package substrate 505. The routing 515 may terminate at pads 532. Pads 532 of the package substrate 505 may be coupled to the die by interconnects 533. The die module 530 may include a die 531 with pillars 535 surrounded by a mold layer 534. The pillars 535 and the mold layer 534 may pass through a thickness of the cutout 501.
These other components include, but are not limited to, volatile memory (e.g., DRAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM), flash memory, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, a crypto processor, a chipset, an antenna, a display, a touchscreen display, a touchscreen controller, a battery, an audio codec, a video codec, a power amplifier, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a speaker, a camera, and a mass storage device (such as hard disk drive, compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), and so forth).
The communication chip 606 enables wireless communications for the transfer of data to and from the computing device 600. The term “wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. The communication chip 606 may implement any of a number of wireless standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long term evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing device 600 may include a plurality of communication chips 606. For instance, a first communication chip 606 may be dedicated to shorter range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a second communication chip 606 may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and others.
The processor 604 of the computing device 600 includes an integrated circuit die packaged within the processor 604. In some implementations of the invention, the integrated circuit die of the processor may be part of an electronic package with a cutout that includes memory die stacks and a die module that extends across the cutout, in accordance with embodiments described herein. The term “processor” may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that may be stored in registers and/or memory.
The communication chip 606 also includes an integrated circuit die packaged within the communication chip 606. In accordance with another implementation of the invention, the integrated circuit die of the communication chip may be part of an electronic package with a cutout that includes memory die stacks and a die module that extends across the cutout, in accordance with embodiments described herein.
The above description of illustrated implementations of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific implementations of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
These modifications may be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific implementations disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.
Example 1: an electronic package, comprising: a package substrate with a cutout; pads adjacent to the cutout; a memory die stack on the package substrate, wherein the memory die stack is electrically coupled to the pads by routing in the package substrate; and a die over the cutout, wherein the die is supported by the pads.
Example 2: the electronic package of Example 1, wherein the memory die stack is embedded in a mold layer.
Example 3: the electronic package of Example 1 or Example 2, further comprising: pillars that extend from a surface of the die through the cutout.
Example 4: the electronic package of Example 3, further comprising: a mold layer around the pillars.
Example 5: the electronic package of Example 4, wherein a redistribution layer is provided on a surface of the mold layer opposite from the die.
Example 6: the electronic package of Examples 1-5, wherein the die is coupled to the pads by solder balls.
Example 7: the electronic package of Examples 1-6, further comprising: a plurality of memory die stacks coupled to the package substrate, wherein the plurality of memory die stacks are electrically coupled to the pads by routing in the package substrate.
Example 8: the electronic package of Example 7, wherein a mold layer is provided around the plurality of memory die stacks.
Example 9: the electronic package of Example 8, wherein the mold layer is ring shaped.
Example 10: the electronic package of Examples 1-9, wherein the memory die stack is electrically coupled to the package substrate by wire bonds.
Example 11: the electronic package of Examples 1-10, wherein the memory die stack comprises four or more memory dies.
Example 12: the electronic package of Examples 1-11, wherein the routing in the package substrate is approximately 20 mm in length of shorter.
Example 13: a method of forming an electronic package, comprising: providing a package substrate with a cutout, wherein pads on the package substrate are adjacent to the cutout; attaching a memory die stack to the package substrate; forming a mold layer over the memory die stack; and attaching a die to the package substrate, wherein the die spans across the cutout.
Example 14: the method of Example 13, wherein the memory die stack is electrically coupled to the package substrate by wire bonds.
Example 15: the method of Example 13 or Example 14, wherein the die comprises pillars, wherein the pillars pass through the cutout.
Example 16: the method of Example 15, wherein a second mold layer is disposed around the pillars.
Example 17: the method of Example 16, wherein a redistribution layer is provided on the second mold layer.
Example 18: the method of Examples 13-17, wherein the die is electrically coupled to the pads on the package substrate.
Example 19: the method of Example 18, wherein the memory die stack is electrically coupled to the pads on the package substrate by routing in the package substrate.
Example 20: the method of Example 18 or Example 19, further comprising: attaching a plurality of memory die stacks to the package substrate.
Example 21: the method of Example 20, wherein the mold layer is formed over the plurality of memory die stacks.
Example 22: the method of Example 21, wherein the mold layer is ring shaped.
Example 23: an electronic system, comprising: a board; a package substrate coupled to the board, wherein the package substrate comprises a cutout; a memory die stack attached to the package substrate; a mold layer around the memory die stack; and a die that spans across the cutout.
Example 24: the electronic system of Example 23, wherein the die is coupled to the board by pillars that extend through a second mold layer between the die and the board.
Example 25: the electronic system of Example 23 or Example 24, wherein the die is coupled to pads on the package substrate, and wherein the pads are coupled to the memory die stack through routing in the package substrate.