Apparatus and Methods for Constructing Semiconductor Chip Packages with Silicon Space Transformer Carriers

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for high density packaging of semiconductor chips using silicon space transformer chip level package structures, which allow high density chip interconnection and / or integration of multiple chips or chip stacks high I / O interconnection and heterogeneous chip or function integration.

Description

GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS[0001]This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. H98230-04-C-0920, NBCH3039004 awarded by the DARPA (Defense Advanced Projects Agency) The Government has certain rights in this invention.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to microelectronic packaging of semiconductor chips and, more specifically, apparatus and methods for high density packaging of semiconductor chips using silicon space transformer chip level package structures.BACKGROUND[0003]Advances in semiconductor chip fabrication and packaging technologies have enabled the development of highly integrated semiconductor chips and compact chip package structures or electronic modules. For example, silicon integrated circuit chips can be fabricated with high integration density and functionality to form what is referred to as SoC (System on Chip). With SoC designs, the functionality of a complete system (e.g., computer) is integrated on a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Exemplary embodiments of the invention generally include apparatus and methods for high density packaging of semiconductor chips using silicon space transformer chip level package structures, which allow high density chip interconnection and / or integration of multiple chips or chip stacks nigh I / O interconnection and heterogeneous chip or function integration, and which allow packaging of thinned IC chips using thinned Si package(s) in ways that realize low cost handling and assembly, and reduce the non-planarity of the Si package(s), thinned IC or IC stack and / or module assembly.

Problems solved by technology

SoC solutions may not be practical or achievable for chip-level integration when given systems design requires the use of heterogeneous semiconductor technologies to fabricate the necessary system integrated circuits.

In addition, when fabricating thinned IC devices, packages, IC stacks or package stacks, the thinned components may be fragile to handle and lead to yield losses if broken or damaged and may become non planar due to stresses such as circuits, wiring or vias causing the thinned component to bend or bow.

In some cases, the bow or bending can foe excessive and make handling or assembly difficult or impossible without added costs of mechanical handlers, temporary adhesives or figures and release processes.

However, there are disadvantages associated with organic and ceramic carrier technologies including, for example, high fabrication costs and inherent limitations the practical integration density, I / O density, power density, etc, that may be achieved using organic or ceramic carriers, as is known in the art.

It is believed that inherent limitations and high fabrication costs associated with ceramic and organic carrier technologies may limit the ability or desire to use such carrier technologies to meet the increasing demands for higher density and higher performance and low cost packaging solutions.

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