Abstract:
The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into modules that conserve board surface area. In a two-high CSP stack or module (10) devised in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of CSPs (12, 14) is stacked, with one CSP (12) above the other (14). The two CSPs are connected with a pair of flexible circuit structures (30, 32). Each of the pair of flexible circuit structures (30, 32) is partially wrapped about a respective opposite lateral edge (20, 22) of the lower CSP (14) of the module (10). The flex circuit pair (30, 32) connects the upper and lower CSPs (12, 14) and provides a thermal and electrical path connection path between the module (10) and an application environment such as a printed wiring board (PWB). The present invention may be employed to advantage in numerous configurations and combinations of CSPs in modules provided for high-density memories or high capacity computing.
Abstract:
A circuit module comprises a rigid, preferably thermally conductive, substrate 14, a flexible circuit 12 wrapped around an edge of the substrate, a plurality of chip scale packages (CSPs) attached to the flexible circuit and expansion board contacts 20 formed on the flexible circuit adjacent to the edge. The CSPs may be standard memory modules and are connected to the contacts 20 by means of conductive traces in the flexible circuit 16. The contacts 20 are arranged so that the circuit module may be plugged at its edge into a standard circuit board expansion slot in e.g. a computer. The substrate may assist in heat dissipation from the attached CSPs.
Abstract:
The present invention stacks integrated circuit packages into circuit modules. In a preferred embodiment, solder paste and primary adhesive respectively are applied to selected locations on the flex circuitry. Supplemental adhesive is applied to add ional locations on the flex circuitry, CSP, or other component. The flex circuitry and the CSP are brought into proximity with each other. During solder reflow operation, a force is applied and the CSP collapses toward the flex circuitry, displacing the primary adhesive and the supplemental adhesive. The supplemental adhesive establishes a bond providing additional support to the flex circuitry. In another embodiment, CSPs or other integrated circuit packages are bonded to each other or to other components with a combination of adhesives. A rapid bond adhesive maintains alignment of the bonded packages and/or components during assembly, and a structural bond adhesive provides additional strength and/or structural integrity to the bond.
Abstract:
A circuit module comprises a rigid, preferably thermally conductive, substrate 14, a flexible circuit 12 wrapped around an edge of the substrate, a plurality of chip scale packages (CSPs) attached to the flexible circuit and expansion board contacts 20 formed on the flexible circuit adjacent to the edge. The CSPs may be standard memory modules and are connected to the contacts 20 by means of conductive traces in the flexible circuit 16. The contacts 20 are arranged so that the circuit module may be plugged at its edge into a standard circuit board expansion slot in e.g. a computer. The substrate may assist in heat dissipation from the attached CSPs.
Abstract:
The present invention stacks integrated circuits into modules that conserve board surface area. In a two-high stack or module devised in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of integrated circuits is stacked, with one integrated circuit above the other. The two integrated circuits are connected with a pair of flexible circuit structures. Each of the pair of flexible circuit structures is partially wrapped about a respective opposite lateral edge of the lower integrated circuit of the module. The flex circuit pair connects the upper and lower integrated circuits and provides a thermal and electrical path connection path between the module and an application environment such as a printed wiring board (PWB). The present invention may be employed to advantage in numerous configurations and combinations of integrated circuits in modules provided for high-density memories or high capacity computing.
Abstract:
A circuit module comprises a rigid, preferably thermally conductive, substrate 14, a flexible circuit 12 wrapped around an edge of the substrate, a plurality of chip scale packages (CSPs) attached to the flexible circuit and expansion board contacts 20 formed on the flexible circuit adjacent to the edge. The CSPs may be standard memory modules and are connected to the contacts 20 by means of conductive traces in the flexible circuit 16. The contacts 20 are arranged so that the circuit module may be plugged at its edge into a standard circuit board expansion slot in e.g. a computer. The substrate may assist in heat dissipation from the attached CSPs.
Abstract:
A circuit module 10 comprises a rigid substrate 14 having laterally opposed sides S1, S2 and a flexible circuit 12 wrapped around one edge 16A of the substrate. The flexible circuit is attached to at least one of the sides of the substrate and has a plurality of contacts 20 in the vicinity of the edge 16A for connection to a circuit board socket. A plurality of memory CSPs 18 (chipscale packaged devices) are provided on at least one of the sides of the flexible circuit. Also claimed are modules having thermally conductive properties and various shaped substrates.
Abstract:
The present invention stacks integrated circuits into modules that conserve board surface area. In a two-high stack or module devised in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of integrated circuits is stacked, with one integrated circuit above the other. The two integrated circuits are connected with a pair of flexible circuit structures. Each of the pair of flexible circuit structures is partially wrapped about a respective opposite lateral edge of the lower integrated circuit of the module. The flex circuit pair connects the upper and lower integrated circuits and provides a thermal and electrical path connection path between the module and an application environment such as a printed wiring board (PWB). The present invention may be employed to advantage in numerous configurations and combinations of integrated circuits in modules provided for high-density memories or high capacity computing.
Abstract:
Flexible circuitry is populated on one or both sides with integrated circuits (ICs) each of which ICs has an IC profile (height). A substantially flat, windowed fixture with a fixture profile less than the IC profiles of the ICs is applied over an IC-populated side of the flexible circuitry causing at least a part of the ICs to emerge from respective fixture windows. Material is removed simultaneously from that portion of the ICs that emerge from the windows to result in lower-profile ICs which, in a preferred embodiment exhibit profiles substantially coincident with the fixture profile established by the upper surface of the fixture. The method is used to advantage in devising circuit modules by disposing the flexible circuitry about a rigid substrate to form the circuit module with a low profile. Some embodiments use substrates that are windowed or have inset areas into which the lower profile CSPs may be set to reach profile requirements.