Inorganic Core Package Substrate for Warpage-Resistant Fine Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing performance demands for high performance computing (HPC) chips and integrated circuit (IC) chips lead to challenges in package design, manufacturing, and reliability, including warpage, lower assembly yield, and the need for external stiffeners and carrier substrates.

Innovation Solution

The development of an improved package substrate with an inorganic core body, embedded capacitors, and built-up redistribution layers directly on the core body, which provides fine routing capability, increased stiffness to minimize warpage, and enhanced thermal performance, eliminating the need for a carrier interposer and stiffeners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If organic substrates are used in package assemblies, then ease of manufacture is improved, but stiffness is reduced leading to higher warpage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite substrate structure combining an organic substrate layer with an inorganic stiffening layer (such as ceramic or glass). This composite structure maintains the manufacturing advantages of organic substrates while adding the stiffness and dimensional stability of inorganic materials to reduce warpage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the substrate by incorporating materials with different thermal expansion coefficients and mechanical properties. The inorganic stiffening layer has higher modulus of elasticity and lower thermal expansion, which compensates for the organic substrate's tendency to warp under thermal stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If discrete interposers and carrier substrates are used, then routing capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the organic substrate, inorganic stiffening layer, and carrier substrate into a single integrated substrate assembly. The inorganic layer is formed directly on the organic substrate, eliminating the need for separate discrete interposers and reducing the number of assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inorganic stiffening layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical stiffness to reduce warpage, acts as a carrier substrate for mounting chips, and provides fine routing capability through its metal interconnect structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If stiffeners are added to control warpage, then warpage control is improved, but space availability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarpage controlVSAvoidspace availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The inorganic stiffening layer is applied selectively to specific regions of the organic substrate where stiffness is most needed, such as under chip mounting areas or along support ribs. This localized approach provides warpage control while minimizing the use of space that would otherwise be available for other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4521458A1Advanced substrates for large, high performance power packages
Publication Date: 2025.03.12 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP4521458A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4521458A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4521458A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A package substrate for a microelectronic package assembly includes an inorganic core body, such as a ceramic core body, with embedded capacitors and at least one conductive through via extending through the core body. The structure of the inorganic core body allows for at least one redistribution layer to be built-up directly onto the inorganic core body, without the use of an intermediate carrier or interposer.