Abstract:
An assembly includes a substrate with mounting apertures. A frame is disposed through the apertures, optionally in a non-core area of the substrate, where a chassis at least partially encompasses a portion of the substrate. A component is coupled with the frame, and the frame is coupled with the chassis.
Abstract:
A printed circuit board (PCB) includes metallization portions that are enshrouded with a carbon-based cladding. The carbon-based cladding reduces noise coupling between, for example, signal lines within the metallization pattern. In addition, in at least one embodiment, the carbon-based cladding is used to implement one or more electrical resistors (e.g., pull-up and/or pull-down resistors) within the PCB. The carbon-based cladding can also be used to decrease the propagation delay of the signal lines of the PCB.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are presented for reinforcing and stiffening a printed circuit board (PCB) in selected locations by utilizing preferentially oriented fibers. Selected fibers within the polymeric material matrix of the PCB fiber-matrix layer are removed and replaced with a similar quantity of fibers in a preferential orientation. Various combinations of layering of modified fiber-matrix layer material with conventional fiber-matrix layer material are presented to achieve the desired PCB stiffening. Printed circuit boards, under the weight of heavy attached electronic components, may deflect or flex along an axis, defined as the characteristic fold. This flexing is exasperated with manufacturing and handling loading, particularly when mounted in a chassis. Preferentially orientated fibers laid transverse to the characteristic fold reinforces the area to resist flexure within the area surrounding the characteristic fold. Reducing PCB flexure is particularly important in locations of the PCB containing surface mount technology (SMT) components, such as ball grid array electronic components. The lead attachment for BGA components is particularly susceptible to PCB flexure resulting in lead fatigue, fracture and failure. The presented methods and apparatus provide PCB stiffening without the addition of external PCB stiffeners and without effecting the PCB overall thickness, fiber to matrix ratio, uniform properties, or dielectric properties.
Abstract:
An embodiment of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings is a process and a package for facilitating cooling and grounding of a semiconductor die using carbon nanotubes in a thermal interface layer between the die and a thermal management aid. The embodiments that are disclosed have the carbon nanotubes positioned and sized to utilize their high thermal and electrical conductance to facilitate the flow of heat and current to the thermal management aid. One embodiment disclosed has the carbon nanotubes mixed with a paste matrix before being applied. Another disclosed embodiment has the carbon nanotubes grown on the surface of the semiconductor die.
Abstract:
According to one aspect of the invention a method of constructing an electronic assembly is provided. The electronic assembly is constructed from a semiconductor package including a package substrate and a semiconductor chip mounted to the package substrate, a thermally conductive member, and a substance including indium. The method comprises securing the thermally conductive member and the semiconductor package in a selected orientation relative to one another with the thermally conductive member on a side of the semiconductor chip opposing the package substrate and with the substance located between the semiconductor chip and at least a portion of the thermally conductive member. The substance is thermally coupled to the semiconductor chip on one side and thermally coupled to the portion of the thermally conductive member on an opposing side.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are presented for reinforcing and stiffening a printed circuit board (PCB) in selected locations by utilizing preferentially oriented fibers. Selected fibers within the polymeric material matrix of the PCB fiber-matrix layer are removed and replaced with a similar quantity of fibers in a preferential orientation. Various combinations of layering of modified fiber-matrix layer material with conventional fiber-matrix layer material are presented to achieve the desired PCB stiffening. Printed circuit boards, under the weight of heavy attached electronic components, may deflect or flex along an axis, defined as the characteristic fold. This flexing is exasperated with manufacturing and handling loading, particularly when mounted in a chassis. Preferentially orientated fibers laid transverse to the characteristic fold reinforces the area to resist flexure within the area surrounding the characteristic fold. Reducing PCB flexure is particularly important in locations of the PCB containing surface mount technology (SMT) components, such as ball grid array electronic components. The lead attachment for BGA components is particularly susceptible to PCB flexure resulting in lead fatigue, fracture and failure. The presented methods and apparatus provide PCB stiffening without the addition of external PCB stiffeners and without effecting the PCB overall thickness, fiber to matrix ratio, uniform properties, or dielectric properties.