Advantages of MCMs over traditional packaging methods for electronic-based applications in computers, aviation, and the military. Introduction to Multichip Modules discusses both custom built MCMs and programmable MCMs and their role in reducing cost and improving turnaround time. An invaluable resource for students and professionals in electrical engineering who design MCMs and MCM-based systems, and for those in computer science who develop CAD tools for MCMs, this.

Far from being the passive containers for semiconductor devices of the past, the packages in today's high performance computers pose numerous challenges in interconnecting, powering, cooling and protecting devices. While semiconductor circuit performance measured in picoseconds continues to improve, computer performance is expected to be in nanoseconds for the rest of this century -a factor of 1000 difference between on-chip and off-chip performance which is attributable to losses associated with the package. Thus the package, which interconnects all the chips to form a particular function such as a central processor, is likely to set the limits on how far computers can evolve. Multichip packaging, which can relax these limits and also improve the reliability and cost at the systems level, is expected to be the basis of all advanced computers in the future. In addition, since this technology allows chips to be spaced more closely, in less space and with less weight, it has the added advantage of being useful in portable consumer electronics as well as in medical, aerospace, automotive and telecommunications products. The multichip technologies with which these applications can be addressed are many. They range from ceramics to polymer-metal thin films to printed wiring boards for interconnections; flip chip, TAB or wire bond for chip-to-substrate connections; and air or water cooling for the removal of heat.

Multichip Module (MCM) technology has been used in high-end systems, such as mainframe and supercomputers as well as military and space applications for some time. Rapid advances in VLSI technology and novel system architecture concepts have presented both challenges and opportunities for MCM technologists. Recent developments in MCM technology indicate that it will eventually take over much of the electronic packaging currently using printed circuit boards. This collection of articles gives an in-depth study of the state-of-the-art of MCM technology from systems, CAD and technology viewpoints. Written by outstanding experts in their fields, this volume should be considered essential reading.

Conceptual Design of Multichip Modules and Systems treats activities which take place at the conceptual and specification level of the design of complex multichip systems. These activities include the formalization of design knowledge (information modeling), tradeoff analysis, partitioning, and decision process capture. All of these functions occur prior to the traditional CAD activities of synthesis and physical design. Inherent in the design of electronic modules are tradeoffs which must be understood before feasible technology, material, process, and partitioning choices can be selected. The lack of a complete set of technology information is an especially serious problem in the packaging and interconnect field since the number of technologies, process, and materials is substantial and selecting optimums is arduous and non-trivial if one truly wants a balance in cost and performance. Numerous tradeoff and design decisions have to be made intelligently and quickly at the beginning of the design cycle before physical design work begins. These critical decisions, made within the first 10% of the total design cycle, ultimately define up to 80% of the final product cost. Conceptual Design of Multichip Modules and Systems lays the groundwork for concurrent estimation level analysis including size, routing, electrical performance, thermal performance, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and testing. It will be useful both as a reference for system designers and as a text for those wishing to gain a perspective on the nature of packaging and interconnect design, concurrent engineering, computer-aided design, and system synthesis.

Today's electronics industry requires new design automation methodologies that allow designers to incorporate high performance integrated circuits into smaller packaging. The aim of this book is to present current and future techniques and algorithms of high performance multichip modules (MCMs) and other packaging methodologies. Innovative technical papers in this book cover design optimization and physical partitioning; global routing/multi-layer assignment; timing-driven interconnection design (timing models, clock and power design); crosstalk, reflection, and simultaneous switching noise minimization; yield optimization; defect area minimization; low-power physical layout; and design methodologies. Two tutorial reviews review some of the most significant algorithms previously developed for the placement/partitioning, and signal integrity issues, respectively. The remaining articles review the trend of prime design automation algorithms to solve the above eight problems which arise in MCMs and other packages.

MCMs today consist of complex and dense VLSI devices mounted into packages that allow little physical access to internal nodes. The complexity and cost associated with their test and diagnosis are major obstacles to their use. Multi-Chip Module Test Strategies presents state-of-the-art test strategies for MCMs. This volume of original research is designed for engineers interested in practical implementations of MCM test solutions and for designers looking for leading edge test and design-for-testability solutions for their next designs. Multi-Chip Module Test Strategies consists of eight contributions by leading researchers. It is designed to provide a comprehensive and well-balanced coverage of the MCM test domain. Multi-Chip Module Test Strategies has also been published as a special issue of the Journal of Electronic Testing: Theory and Applications (JETTA, Volume 10, Numbers 1 and 2).

As their name implies, VLSI systems involve the integration of various component systems. While all of these components systems are rooted in semiconductor manufacturing, they involve a broad range of technologies. This volume of the Principles and Applications of Engineering series examines the technologies associated with VLSI systems, including

Over the years, the fundamentals of VLSI technology have evolved to include a wide range of topics and a broad range of practices. To encompass such a vast amount of knowledge, The VLSI Handbook focuses on the key concepts, models, and equations that enable the electrical engineer to analyze, design, and predict the behavior of very large-scale integrated circuits. It provides the most up-to-date information on IC technology you can find. Using frequent examples, the Handbook stresses the fundamental theory behind professional applications. Focusing not only on the traditional design methods, it contains all relevant sources of information and tools to assist you in performing your job. This includes software, databases, standards, seminars, conferences and more. The VLSI Handbook answers all your needs in one comprehensive volume at a level that will enlighten and refresh the knowledge of experienced engineers and educate the novice. This one-source reference keeps you current on new techniques and procedures and serves as a review for standard practice. It will be your first choice when looking for a solution.

Microelectronic Packaging analyzes the massive impact of electrochemical technologies on various levels of microelectronic packaging. Traditionally, interconnections within a chip were considered outside the realm of packaging technologies, but this book emphasizes the importance of chip wiring as a key aspect of microelectronic packaging, and focuses on electrochemical processing as an enabler of advanced chip metallization. Divided into five parts, the book begins by outlining the basics of electrochemical processing, defining the microelectronic packaging hierarchy, and emphasizing the impact of electrochemical technology on packaging. The second part discusses chip metallization topics including the development of robust barrier layers and alternative metallization materials. Part III explores key aspects of chip-package interconnect technologies, followed by Part IV's analysis of packages, boards, and connectors which covers materials development, technology trends in ceramic packages and multi-chip modules, and electroplated contact materials. Illustrating the importance of processing tools in enabling technology development, the book concludes with chapters on chemical mechanical planarization, electroplating, and wet etching/cleaning tools. Experts from industry, universities, and national laboratories submitted reviews on each of these subjects, capturing the technological advances made in each area. A detailed examination of how packaging responds to the challenges of Moore's law, this book serves as a timely and valuable reference for microelectronic packaging and processing professionals and other industrial technologists.