Wireless Power Device for 3D IC Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for accessing information in three-dimensional integrated circuits (3DICs) require extra power and sophisticated equipment, leading to inconvenience and risks of electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage, and incur area penalties due to increased layout requirements for connections, making it difficult to read or write information across stacked chips from different companies or processes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wireless power device (WPD) into the 3DICs that allows for wireless power reception and data access, enabling functions such as probing, testing, and information access without physical contact, thereby avoiding ESD damage and area penalties by using wireless communication and power transfer technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional probing or contact-based testing methods are used to access information in 3DICs, then information can be read or written, but electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage occurs and sophisticated equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based probing and testing systems with wireless electromagnetic field-based systems. Specifically, it uses electromagnetic coupling between a reader device and the 3DIC to transfer power and data without physical contact, thereby eliminating ESD damage risks while maintaining information access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium between the reader device and the 3DIC. The wireless power device and reader communicate through electromagnetic coupling, allowing power transfer and data access without direct mechanical contact, thus solving both the reliability and ease of operation issues
2Ease of operation
If conventional contact-based testing and information access methods are used, then information can be accessed, but physical contact is required causing ESD damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based probing and testing systems with wireless electromagnetic field-based systems. Specifically, it uses electromagnetic coupling between a reader device and the 3DIC to transfer power and data without physical contact, thereby eliminating ESD damage risks while maintaining information access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless power device within the 3DIC can autonomously receive power wirelessly and use it to power internal circuits for information access operations. The device serves itself by eliminating the need for external physical power and data connections, thereby removing ESD exposure risks
3Loss of information
If C4/TSV connections are used for information access in stacked chips, then information can be transmitted between layers, but area penalty increases due to extra layout requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the information access function from the physical C4/TSV connection infrastructure and implements it through wireless electromagnetic communication. By removing the requirement for dedicated power and data signal paths through the substrate, the design eliminates the area penalty associated with C4/TSV layouts while maintaining full information accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless power device serves multiple functions: it provides power to the 3DIC, enables data reading, enables data writing, and facilitates testing operations. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require separate dedicated signal paths, thereby eliminating the area penalty of conventional C4/TSV connections
4Loss of information
If conventional probing equipment and power supply are used for 3DIC information access, then information can be accessed, but sophisticated installation and extra power supply are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based probing and testing systems with wireless electromagnetic field-based systems. Specifically, it uses electromagnetic coupling between a reader device and the 3DIC to transfer power and data without physical contact, thereby eliminating ESD damage risks while maintaining information access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the power supply function and the information access function into a single wireless reader device. The reader simultaneously provides wireless power to the 3DIC and communicates data bidirectionally, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and probing equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient and reliable wireless access to information stored in 3DICs, reducing the need for physical testers and minimizing the risk of ESD damage, while also eliminating area penalties associated with traditional connection methods, allowing for seamless data reading and writing across stacked chips.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless power device (WPD) formed on the semiconductor structure for wirelessly receiving a power
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first circuit layer that includes a first wireless power transfer (WPT) device, a first chip electrically connected to the first circuit layer, and a first tracking circuit disposed in the first chip. The first WPT device may be configured to extract energy from an electromagnetic signal and provide an output voltage. The first tracking circuit may be powered by the output voltage of the first WPT device and may output tracking data in response to an instruction extracted from the electromagnetic signal.