3D Stacked IC with Riser Mounting for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current integrated circuit systems face challenges in achieving smaller dimensions, lower costs, increased functionality, and improved reliability while maintaining competitive performance and thermal cooling, with existing solutions failing to provide a comprehensive solution for these needs.

Innovation Solution

The integrated circuit device system employs a carrier with a base device and elevated devices mounted on risers, allowing for a stacked configuration that increases device capacity, supports air cooling, and simplifies manufacturing through a mirrored chip assembly, enabling the use of standardized or customized devices with varying dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If devices are arranged in a planar configuration on the carrier, then manufacturing is simple, but device capacity and I/O connectivity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice capacityVSAvoidstacked configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration by introducing vertical risers that elevate devices above the carrier plane. This dimensional change allows multiple devices to occupy the same footprint area at different heights, thereby increasing device capacity without expanding the carrier's planar dimensions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where elevated devices are positioned above and partially overhang the base device, creating a hierarchical arrangement. The risers serve as supporting structures that nest within the vertical space, allowing compact stacking while maintaining accessibility to interconnects on multiple sides of each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If devices are elevated on risers to increase capacity, then device capacity increases, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The risers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical support for elevated devices, establish vertical spacing for thermal management, and facilitate interconnect routing between devices at different heights. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the three-dimensional configuration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric device placement where elevated devices are positioned at different locations and heights relative to the base device, with some devices overhanging others. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes I/O connectivity by exposing interconnects on multiple sides of each device, allowing flexible routing while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized riser components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Volume of moving object

If devices are arranged in a compact stacked configuration, then device size is reduced, but thermal cooling becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem sizeVSAvoidthermal management
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes air flow (pneumatic principle) for thermal management by designing the stacked configuration to allow air to circulate through channels formed between the elevated devices and the carrier. The vertical spacing provided by the risers creates convection pathways that enable efficient heat dissipation from multiple devices simultaneously, addressing thermal management challenges in compact three-dimensional arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Adaptability or versatility

If more I/O interconnects are provided on each device, then functionality increases, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidinterconnect complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interconnect routing into multiple independent pathways by utilizing the three-dimensional space. Each device's interconnects can be accessed from different sides and at different heights, allowing the I/O interface to be divided into multiple smaller connection groups. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single interconnect route while maintaining high overall functionality through multiple access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10529688B1Integrated circuit device system with elevated configuration and method of manufacture thereof
Publication Date: 2020.01.07 SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • US10529688B1 patent drawing
  • US10529688B1 patent drawing
  • US10529688B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method of manufacture of an integrated circuit device system includes mounting a first elevated device on a first riser positioned adjacent to a base device. The first elevated device includes a first device overhang that extends over the base device. A second elevated device can be mounted on a second riser adjacent to the first riser to allow the attachment of a second elevated device mounted above the first elevated device to achieve higher component densities.