Chiplet PoP Semiconductor Package for Smaller Board Footprint

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for smaller electronic devices with large battery capacity necessitates reducing the space occupied by communication chip packages within semiconductor packages, as dividing application processors into chiplets enlarges the package size and requires separate communication chip packages.

Innovation Solution

An application processor is divided into a first and second chiplet, mounted on the lower package of a package-on-package (PoP) device, with a communication chip on the upper package, eliminating the need for a separate communication chip package and allowing efficient heat dissipation through the communication chip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an application processor is divided into chiplets, then manufacturing cost is reduced and yield is improved, but the space occupied by the semiconductor package becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing yieldVSAvoidpackage area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a package-on-package (PoP) structure where a communication chip package is stacked vertically on top of a semiconductor package containing chiplets. This nesting approach allows the communication chip to be positioned above the semiconductor package, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than horizontal space, thereby reducing the overall footprint while maintaining all necessary functional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar layout to a three-dimensional stacked architecture by placing the communication chip package in the vertical direction above the semiconductor package. This dimensional change enables space optimization by exploiting the Z-axis (height) rather than expanding the X-Y plane area, thus reducing the board space occupied while accommodating both chiplet-based processor and communication functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate communication chip package is formed, then communication functionality is provided, but the board size increases and battery space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidboard size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the semiconductor package containing chiplets with the communication chip package into a single integrated PoP structure. By combining these previously separate packages into one stacked unit, the overall board footprint is reduced while maintaining both the processing capabilities of the chiplets and the communication functionality of the upper package

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication chip package is nested vertically on top of the semiconductor package, creating a compact integrated structure. This nesting eliminates the need for separate board mounting areas for communication chips, as they are now positioned above the processor package, thereby reducing total board size and freeing up space for larger battery capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Temperature

If the communication chip is mounted on the upper package, then heat dissipation is improved and space is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidpackage structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication chip from the traditional side-by-side layout and positions it vertically above the semiconductor package. This extraction and repositioning allows heat generated by the chiplets to be dissipated more effectively through the communication chip package structure, while the modular PoP design manages the manufacturing complexity through standardized stacking processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4712140A1Semiconductor package and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4712140A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4712140A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4712140A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A semiconductor package includes a first redistribution structure (120), a first chiplet (130) on the first redistribution structure (120), a second chiplet (140) on the first redistribution structure (120) and proximate the first chiplet (130) in a horizontal direction parallel to a surface of the first redistribution structure (120), a second redistribution structure (170) on the first chiplet (130) and on the second chiplet (140), and a communication chip on the second redistribution structure (170).