WO1999036959A1 - High-density computer modules with stacked parallel-plane packaging - Google Patents
High-density computer modules with stacked parallel-plane packaging Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999036959A1 WO1999036959A1 PCT/US1999/001006 US9901006W WO9936959A1 WO 1999036959 A1 WO1999036959 A1 WO 1999036959A1 US 9901006 W US9901006 W US 9901006W WO 9936959 A1 WO9936959 A1 WO 9936959A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- board
- auxiliary
- primary
- module
- surface mount
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
- G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
- G06F1/185—Mounting of expansion boards
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
- G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
- G06F1/184—Mounting of motherboards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
- G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
- G06F1/186—Securing of expansion boards in correspondence to slots provided at the computer enclosure
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L25/00—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof
- H01L25/03—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof all the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes
- H01L25/10—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof all the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes the devices having separate containers
- H01L25/105—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof all the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L25/00—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof
- H01L25/16—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof the devices being of types provided for in two or more different main groups of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. forming hybrid circuits
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K1/00—Printed circuits
- H05K1/02—Details
- H05K1/14—Structural association of two or more printed circuits
- H05K1/144—Stacked arrangements of planar printed circuit boards
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
- H05K7/1422—Printed circuit boards receptacles, e.g. stacked structures, electronic circuit modules or box like frames
- H05K7/1427—Housings
- H05K7/1429—Housings for circuits carrying a CPU and adapted to receive expansion cards
- H05K7/1431—Retention mechanisms for CPU modules
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2225/00—Details relating to assemblies covered by the group H01L25/00 but not provided for in its subgroups
- H01L2225/03—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00
- H01L2225/10—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers
- H01L2225/1005—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2225/00—Details relating to assemblies covered by the group H01L25/00 but not provided for in its subgroups
- H01L2225/03—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00
- H01L2225/10—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers
- H01L2225/1005—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00
- H01L2225/1011—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00 the containers being in a stacked arrangement
- H01L2225/1017—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00 the containers being in a stacked arrangement the lowermost container comprising a device support
- H01L2225/1023—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00 the containers being in a stacked arrangement the lowermost container comprising a device support the support being an insulating substrate
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2225/00—Details relating to assemblies covered by the group H01L25/00 but not provided for in its subgroups
- H01L2225/03—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00
- H01L2225/10—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers
- H01L2225/1005—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00
- H01L2225/1011—All the devices being of a type provided for in the same subgroup of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/648 and H10K99/00 the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L27/00 the containers being in a stacked arrangement
- H01L2225/1047—Details of electrical connections between containers
- H01L2225/107—Indirect electrical connections, e.g. via an interposer, a flexible substrate, using TAB
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
- H01L2924/0001—Technical content checked by a classifier
- H01L2924/0002—Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
- H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
- H01R12/721—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits
Definitions
- the present invention is directed to computer memory boards and, more particularly, to expansion modules for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer.
- Personal computers include a mother board for controlling the operation of the computer.
- Personal computers are sold with a specified amount of memory, for example, 1.2 gigabytes (GB) of storage memory on a hard drive and 64 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM).
- GB gigabytes
- MB megabytes
- RAM random access memory
- motherboards typically include standardized expansion slots in which a memory card may be inserted.
- the expansion slots may also receive cards for upgrading a particular function of the computer, such as cards for sounds, video, and graphics.
- a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) connector is a standard industry connector for receiving a memory module.
- DIMM connectors in accordance with the "smaller-is-better" trend in the computer industry, many mother boards are equipped with only two DIMM connectors. As such, in order to install a larger amount of memory in only two DIMM connectors, higher density memory modules have been developed.
- DIMM dual in-line memory module
- One conventional technique for increasing the storage capacity of a memory module is to double the height of the module. To do so, two rows of memory chips are mounted on the memory module, essentially doubling the capacity of the module.
- One disadvantage is the double height.
- the housing of the computer and the area around the mother board both need to be sufficiently large in order to accommodate this doubled size of the expansion, which runs contrary to the small-is- better design principle.
- Another disadvantage lies in different trace lengths.
- a trace is the electrical conductor which connects the chips to the edge connector or interface portion of the module. In the double-row configuration, one row of chips has one trace length, and the other row of chips has another trace length.
- the trace of the further row of chips is essentially twice as long as the closer row of chips from the edge connector. Accordingly, a signal traveling to the further rows of chips take about twice as long to arrive as the signal traveling to the closer row of chips.
- This arrangement requires the signal delay to be eliminated, which may be done by synchronizing the signals, which is difficult and expensive to accomplish.
- the trace of the closer row of chips may be physically doubled in length so that the signals arrive at the two rows at about the same time. Either solution results in a module which is limited in speed by the double-length trace.
- Another conventional technique for increasing storage capacity of a memory module is to configure the double-height arrangement discussed above with a foldable portion such as an integral flex conductor.
- the module may then be folded in half, thereby reducing the height essentially by two.
- this foldable configuration still suffers from the drawback of the varying trace lengths.
- An additional drawback is created by the folded arrangement in that vertical air circulation is restricted. The components of the module produce heat, and under normal convection the heated air would rise and be drawn out of the computer by a fan.
- the folded portion of the module retains heat between the folded sections, which may cause the module to function improperly and errant. Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an expansion module which overcomes the disadvantages and drawbacks associated with conventional expansion modules.
- the apparatus of the present invention which provides a module for insertion into an expansion slot on a motherboard of a computer.
- Exemplary module maximizes the speed at which the module operates, maximizes chip density per expansion slot, and minimizes trace length.
- the module of the present invention is particularly suitable for expanding the memory of a computer, either a desk-top, lap-top, notebook, or palmtop computer.
- an exemplary module includes a primary board with an interface portion for engaging with the expansion slot.
- the interface portion may be configured to engage with a conventional 168-pin dual in-line memory module (DIMM) connector, for example.
- DIMM dual in-line memory module
- At least one but preferably two auxiliary boards are mounted to respective sides of the primary board.
- the auxiliary boards are mounted with fasteners in a spaced relationship which defines an air path between each of the auxiliary boards and the primary board.
- Each of the auxiliary boards has a trace for electrically connecting the board to the primary board.
- One of the advantages of the invention is that the air spaces allow air to circulate between the boards.
- Each of the boards may have a plurality of chips mounted thereon which generate heat when operating.
- the computer in which the module is inserted is a closed environment with many electronic components which also generate heat.
- the speed of a chip decreases because of increased resistance.
- air is able to freely circulate between the boards, thereby either cooling the chips or at least providing adequate ventilation to prevent the ambient temperature from increasing undesirably.
- the primary board has a trace connecting the interface portion with any number of the chips that may be mounted thereon.
- the traces of the auxiliary boards have substantially the same length, which is only slightly longer than that of the trace of the primary board.
- the traces of the module of the present invention are substantially the same length. This feature of equal trace length advantageously eliminates the need for synchronizing signals to different rows of chips.
- the module of the invention reduces trace length on average by about 20% to 50% over conventional arrangements or some other value consistent with operational parameters. The reduction in trace length results in a much faster operating module.
- Another aspect of the present invention focuses on surface mount connectors, which are a specific type of fastener, that enable the auxiliary boards to be securely mounted to respective sides of the primary boards.
- One of the advantages of the surface mount connectors is the ease in which the auxiliary boards can be mounted and dismounted from the primary board, thus, reducing the time and costs of assembly.
- electrical failure verification and failure analysis can be readily performed by easily separating the auxiliary boards from the primary board and interfacing the individual boards with test equipment via the surface mount connectors.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an expansion module of the present invention, particularly illustrating the expansion module mounted in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary expansion module of the present invention, illustrating a multiple-layer, parallel-plane configuration of boards;
- FIG. 3 A is a side view of an auxiliary board of an expansion module of the invention, illustrating a plurality of chips mounted on a first side of the board;
- FIG. 3B is a view similar to that of FIG. 3A, illustrating a plurality of chips mounted on a second side of the board;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of a board of an exemplary expansion module of the invention, particularly highlighting a masked wiring arrangement of the board;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an expansion module of the invention, particularly illustrating minimized trace lengths of auxiliary boards and a primary board of the module;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary module of the invention, particularly illustrating open air paths defined between boards in a spaced relationship; and
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an expansion module of the present invention, illustrating a plurality of surface mount connectors;
- FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the expansion module illustrated in FIG. 7;
- FIG. 9 A is a side view of a primary board of the expansion module illustrated in FIG. 7, illustrating a plurality of chips and surface mount connectors mounted on a first side of the primary board;
- FIG 9B is a view similar to that of FIG. 9 A, illustrating a plurality of chips and surface mount connectors mounted on a second side of the primary board;
- FIG. 10A is a side view of an auxiliary board of the expansion module illustrated in FIG. 7, illustrating a plurality of chips mounted on a first side of the auxiliary board;
- FIG. 10B is a view similar to that of FIG 10A, illustrating a plurality of chips and surface mount connectors mounted on a second side of the auxiliary board;
- FIG. 11 A is a side view of the primary board of the expansion module shown in FIG. 7, particularly highlighting a masked wiring arrangement of the first side of the primary board;
- FIG. 11B is a view similar to that of FIG. 11A, illustrating a masked wiring arrangement on the second side of the primary board;
- FIG. 12A is a side view of the auxiliary board of the expansion module shown in FIG. 7, particularly highlighting a masked wiring arrangement of the first side of the auxiliary board;
- FIG. 12B is a view similar to that of FIG. 12 A, illustrating a masked wiring arrangement on the second side of the auxiliary board;
- FIG. 13A is a top view of a male surface mount connector of the expansion module illustrated in FIG. 7;
- FIG. 13B is a top view of a female surface mount connector of the expansion module illustrated in FIG. 7;
- FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the expansion module illustrated in FIG. 7, particularly illustrating minimized trace lengths of auxiliary boards of the module;
- FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an expansion module illustrated in FIG. 7, particularly illustrating open air paths defined between boards in a spaced relationship.
- FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a high- density, stacked parallel-plane module 50 and 150 of the present invention is illustrated.
- Exemplary module 50 and 150 is installable in a mother board 52 of a computer 54.
- mother board 52 includes a main board 56 with a microprocessor 58 mounted thereon.
- Mother board 52 may include a plurality of additional semiconductor chips and electronic components operatively associated with microprocessor 58, which additional chips and components are not shown in the drawings for clarity.
- components and peripheral devices which may be configured with computer 52, including a monitor, input devices such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, network connections, output devices such as a printer, and so on.
- Mother board 52 also includes at least one, but in general a plurality of expansion slots 60 ⁇ -/ in communication with microprocessor 58. Expansion slots 60o-/ may respectively receive add-on modules for performing particular functions. For example, a memory module may be inserted into one of the expansion slots 60 to increase the amount of memory of computer 54.
- the expansion slots 60 are also known in the art as connectors.
- a 168-pin dual inline memory module (DIMM) connector is an example of a standard expansion slot or connector commonly used in industry today.
- DIMM dual inline memory module
- expansion slots are referenced generally by numeral 60, with each particular expansion slot referenced specifically by alpha suffix a, b, ... I, respectively.
- alpha suffix a, b, ... I alpha suffix a, b, ... I, respectively.
- exemplary module 50 of the present invention includes a primary board 62 and at least one auxiliary board 64.
- exemplary module 50 includes a pair of auxiliary boards 64 ⁇ and 64b.
- module 50 of the invention may include a plurality of auxiliary boards 64a-m.
- Auxiliary boards 64 are mounted to primary board 62 with fasteners 66.
- auxiliary boards 64 ⁇ and 64b are configured in a substantially spaced and parallel-plane relationship with respect to primary board 62, with one of the auxiliary boards 64 being mounted on a first side of primary board 62 and the other auxiliary board 64 being mounted on a second side of primary board 62.
- Exemplary boards 62 and 64 may be generally configured as printed circuit boards (PCBs) or printed wiring boards (PWBs), as known in the art.
- PCBs printed circuit boards
- PWBs printed wiring boards
- a number of fasteners 66 or each may also be conductive and serve as electrical connections, which will also be discussed in more detail below.
- each board 62 and 64 may include a plurality of chips 6Sa-n mounted on each side thereof.
- Each chip 68 may perform a particular function.
- each chip 68 may be a memory chip so that exemplary module 50 is a high-density memory module.
- Exemplary primary board 62 includes an electrical interface portion 70 for connecting with one of the expansion slots 60.
- each auxiliary board 64 includes edge pins 72 arranged generally around a periphery thereof. Chips 68 mounted on boards 62 and/or 64 communicate with pins 72 with traces 74. Boards 62 and 64 may be configured with chips 68, interface portion 70, and pins 72 as known in the art of fabricating printed circuit boards.
- each board 62 and 64 may be a multiple-layer glass epoxy configuration with interface 70 and edge pins 72 being formed by applying gold over nickel. Traces 74 may be applied by solder masks. Electrical connections between auxiliary boards 64 and primary board 62 may be made by fasteners 66 respectively mounted on pads 76 of primary board 62 and pads 78 of auxiliary boards 64. Pads 76 of primary board 62 are electrically connected to interface portion 70 (which includes a plurality of standard edge connectors as known in the art). Pads 78 of auxiliary boards 62 are electrically connected to edge pins 72.
- microprocessor 58 may operate at increasing high speeds.
- microprocessor 58 may operate on the order of hundreds of megahertz (MHz).
- expansion module 50 is configured as a memory module, such as a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)
- memory module 50 needs to operate at about 100 MHz or more. Switching times at 100 MHz are on the order of 10 nanoseconds (ns).
- Electrical signals travel on traces 74 from pins 72 to chips 68.
- time t is substantially proportional to length /, with the length being the variable in the equation.
- the velocity of the electrical signal will vary according to temperature, in that as temperature increases, velocity decreases, which will be discuss below.
- trace length / may be defined as the total length of the electrical connection extending from the edge connectors of interface portion 70 of primary board 62 to one of the chips 68.
- auxiliary board 64 has a trace length l a
- auxiliary board 64b has a trace length Ifr, as shown by the dashed arrows.
- Exemplary module 50 is configured such that trace lengths l a and Ifr of auxiliary boards 64a and 64b are substantially equal.
- auxiliary trace lengths l a and / are only slightly longer than a trace length lford of primary board 62, with the additional length being added by conductive fasteners 66.
- primary trace length lp may be increased by a small predetermined amount to be substantially equal to auxiliary trace lengths l a and / .
- the trace lengths of the exemplary module 50 may be 20% less to up to 50% less than those of conventional modules, or some other value consistent with operational parameters.
- fasteners 66 positioned along bottom edges of boards 62 and 64 that is, near mother board 56 to serve as electrical connectors for carrying the most significant or time- dependent electrical signals from mother board 56 to auxiliary boards 64 of module 50.
- Fasteners 66 positioned along top edges of boards 62 and 64 may serve as electrical connectors for carrying less time-dependent signals, such as power, ground, and address lines, for example.
- the velocity v at which an electrical signals travel along a trace 74 from a pin 72 to a chip 68, and vice versa is inversely proportional to temperature (T), that is, v oc (1 / T).
- module 50 is illustrated mounted in an expansion slot 60 of a mother board 56. (Fasteners 66 are not illustrated for clarity.) In operation, chips 68 generate heat. If the generated heat is not ventilated, then the ambient temperature around module 50 will increase, thereby decreasing the speed of the module 50.
- the spaced parallel-plane arrangement of module 50 defines an air path 80a between auxiliary board 64 ⁇ and primary board 62 and an air path 80b between auxiliary board 64b and primary board 62.
- Air paths 80 are open along top and bottom edges of boards 62 and 64. As shown in FIG. 1, fasteners 66 are relatively small and do not present substantial air blockage. Air paths 80 promote circulation and allow heat (which is shown by cursive arrows and reference H) to rise and escape. As discussed above, conventional modules have a closed flex conductor section extending along top edges of and between a pair of boards, which prevents air circulation and traps heat between the boards, thereby greatly increasing the ambient temperature at the module and, correspondingly, decreasing the speed. Increased temperature may also cause modules to malfunction and introduce errors.
- exemplary module 50 is a memory module for augmenting existing memory of computer 54.
- chips 68 may be synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) chips.
- Module 50 may also include a plurality of damping resistor packages 82 configured with the SDRAM chips.
- SDRAM synchronous dynamic RAM
- One of the advantages of the memory module embodiment of the present invention is that the amount of memory per module and memory per unit volume is maximized.
- exemplary memory module 50 may include more than 256 MB for a standard 168-pin DIMM configuration. As the art of chip fabrication advances, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that more memory will be able to be included on module 50. Referring now to FIGS.
- Exemplary module 150 is installable in the mother board 52 of the computer 54 illustrated in FIG. 1.
- Exemplary module 150 of the present invention includes a primary board 162 and at least one auxiliary board 164.
- exemplary module 150 includes a pair of auxiliary boards 164 ⁇ and 164b.
- module 150 of the invention may include a plurality of auxiliary boards 164a-m.
- Auxiliary boards 164 are mounted to primary board 162 with surface mount connectors 166 such as Fine Stack connectors available from AMP.
- auxiliary boards 164 ⁇ and 164b are configured in a substantially spaced and parallel-plane relationship with respect to primary board 162, with one of the auxiliary boards 164 being mounted on a first side of primary board 162 and the other auxiliary board 164 being mounted on a second side of primary board 162.
- Exemplary boards 162 and 164 may be generally configured as PCBs or PWBs.
- the surface mount connectors 166 also serve as electrical connections, which will be discussed in more detail below.
- primary board 162 may include a plurality of chips 167 -c mounted within an opening thereof, and with additional reference to FIGS.
- auxiliary boards 164 may include a plurality of chips 16Sa-n mounted on each side thereof. Each chip 167 and 168 may perform a particular function such as a memory chip so that exemplary module 150 is a high-density memory module.
- Exemplary primary board 162 includes an electrical interface portion 170 for connecting with one of the expansion slots 60.
- Each surface mount connector 166 includes a male surface mount connector and a matching female surface mount connector which may be easily connected and disconnected.
- Primary board 162 may include five male surface mount connectors 166 ⁇ on each side thereof with three of the male surface mount connectors 166a arranged in a single row along the top portion of the primary board 162 and the remaining two male surface mount connectors 166b arranged in a single row along the bottom portion of the primary board 162 adjacent to the electrical interface portion 170.
- Chips 167 mounted on primary board 162 communicate with male surface mount connectors 166 ⁇ by traces 174 as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.
- male surface mount connectors 166 ⁇ are electrically connected to interface portion 170 of primary board 162.
- each auxiliary board 164 includes five female surface mount connectors 166b which mechanically and electrically connect with the corresponding male surface mount connectors 166a of primary board 162. Chips 168 mounted on each of the auxiliary boards 164 communicate with the female surface mount connectors 166b by traces 174 as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Thus, auxiliary boards 164 and primary board 162 are electrically and mechanically connected by the male connectors 166a and female connectors 166b. It is noted that a primary board may comprise fewer or more than five male surface mount connectors on each side, and each auxiliary board may correspondingly comprise fewer or more than five female connectors.
- both the male connectors 166 ⁇ and female connectors 166b include a non-electrically conductive housing 176.
- the housing 176 encloses a plurality of electrical contacts 178 which electrically connect the male connectors 166 ⁇ to the female connectors 166b.
- a plurality of fingers 180 extend laterally and outwardly from the housing 176.
- the male connectors 166 ⁇ and female connectors 166b each comprise forty electrically contacts 178 and forty fingers 180.
- the number of contacts 178 and fingers 180 can range from twenty to eighty, or any other appropriate number.
- each board 162 and 164 may be a multiple-layer glass epoxy configuration with traces 174 applied by solder masks.
- the auxiliary boards 164 can be readily disconnected from the primary board 162 by simply separating the male connectors 166a from their matching female connectors 166b. By separating the boards 162 and 164, the functionality of the boards 162 and 164 can be independently subjected to electrical failure verification and failure analysis.
- the electrical test equipment can be interfaced with each of the boards 162 and 164 via the surface mount connectors 166.
- the electrical test equipment can include a coupling which mates with the surface mount connector, thus, replacing the costly and time consuming method of testing boards with custom bed-of-nail test fixtures.
- memory module 150 may further include fastening pins 182 which provide a secondary means of mechanically connecting the primary board 162 to the auxiliary boards 164.
- Fastening pins 182 are particularly useful when the module 150 is exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as high frequency vibrations, high shock impacts, and thermal cycling.
- Each of the fastening pins 182 may be fitted and soldered into openings 184 formed in each corner of the of the boards 162 and 164.
- exemplary module 150 may comprise fewer or less than four fastening pins, and the pins may be secured to the boards 162 and 164 by other means such as an adhesive or other means generally known in the art.
- trace length L may be defined as the total length of electrical connection extending from the edge connectors of interface portion 170 of primary board 162 to one of the chips 168 on the auxiliary board 164.
- auxiliary board 164a has a trace length L a
- auxiliary board 164b has a trace length Lfr, as shown by dashed arrows.
- Exemplary module 150 is configured such that trace lengths L a and Z of auxiliary boards 164a and 164b are substantially equal.
- surface mount connectors 166 positioned near the bottom edges of board 162 and 164 may serve as electrical connectors for carrying the most significant or time-dependent electrical signals from mother board 56 to auxiliary board 164 of module 150.
- Surface mount connectors 166 positioned near the top edges of boards 162 and 164 may serve as electrical connectors for carrying less time-dependent signals, such as power, ground, and address lines, for example.
- module 150 is illustrated mounted in an expansion slot 60 of a mother board 56.
- the spaced parallel-plane arrangement of module 150 is configured to promote circulation and allow heat (which is shown by cursive arrows and reference H) to rise and escape.
- the spaced parallel-plane arrangement defines an air path 180a between auxiliary board 164a and primary board 162 and air path 180b between auxiliary board 164b and primary board 162.
- Air paths 180 are open along top and bottom edges of boards 162 and 164, and the surface mount connectors are relatively small and do not present substantial air blockage.
- the memory module of the present invention may have a thickness as defined from the outer or external side (i.e., the side not facing primary board 62) of one of the auxiliary boards 64 to the outer side of the other auxiliary board 64 of less than about 0.5 inch but preferably less than about 0.325 inch.
- the memory module of the present invention may have an overall height as defined from the bottom edge to the top edge of primary board 62 of less than about one and a half inches but preferably less than about 1.40 inches.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- Combinations Of Printed Boards (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU23241/99A AU2324199A (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1999-01-19 | High-density computer modules with stacked parallel-plane packaging |
EP99903153A EP1050077B1 (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1999-01-19 | High-density computer modules with stacked parallel-plane packaging |
DE69937672T DE69937672T2 (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1999-01-19 | PARALLEL STACKED COMPUTER MODULES HIGH DENSITY |
JP2000540577A JP2004507067A (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1999-01-19 | High-density computer module with stacked parallel planar packages |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US892598A | 1998-01-20 | 1998-01-20 | |
US09/008,925 | 1998-01-20 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999036959A1 true WO1999036959A1 (en) | 1999-07-22 |
WO1999036959A9 WO1999036959A9 (en) | 2000-01-20 |
Family
ID=21734521
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/001006 WO1999036959A1 (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1999-01-19 | High-density computer modules with stacked parallel-plane packaging |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2324199A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999036959A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2459751A (en) * | 2008-05-06 | 2009-11-11 | Ibm | Self contained memory subsystem |
EP3125069A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-02-01 | Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd. | Structure and method for reducing electromagnetic interference |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH02235389A (en) * | 1989-03-08 | 1990-09-18 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Electronic circuit device |
GB2237691A (en) * | 1989-10-30 | 1991-05-08 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Semiconductor device and wiring board module |
JPH04206765A (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1992-07-28 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Semiconductor module |
JPH04312992A (en) * | 1991-03-18 | 1992-11-04 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Semiconductor device |
JPH04335561A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1992-11-24 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Semiconductor device |
US5191404A (en) * | 1989-12-20 | 1993-03-02 | Digital Equipment Corporation | High density memory array packaging |
-
1999
- 1999-01-19 WO PCT/US1999/001006 patent/WO1999036959A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-01-19 AU AU23241/99A patent/AU2324199A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH02235389A (en) * | 1989-03-08 | 1990-09-18 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Electronic circuit device |
GB2237691A (en) * | 1989-10-30 | 1991-05-08 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Semiconductor device and wiring board module |
US5191404A (en) * | 1989-12-20 | 1993-03-02 | Digital Equipment Corporation | High density memory array packaging |
JPH04206765A (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1992-07-28 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Semiconductor module |
JPH04312992A (en) * | 1991-03-18 | 1992-11-04 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Semiconductor device |
JPH04335561A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1992-11-24 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Semiconductor device |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP1050077A4 * |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2459751A (en) * | 2008-05-06 | 2009-11-11 | Ibm | Self contained memory subsystem |
EP3125069A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-02-01 | Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd. | Structure and method for reducing electromagnetic interference |
US9775267B2 (en) | 2015-07-30 | 2017-09-26 | Giga-Byte Technology Co.,Ltd. | Structure and method for reducing electromagnetic interference |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1999036959A9 (en) | 2000-01-20 |
AU2324199A (en) | 1999-08-02 |
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