Multi-chip module

POWER5 MCM with four processors and four 36 MB external L3 cache dies on a ceramic multi-chip module.

A multi-chip module (MCM) is a specialized electronic package where multiple integrated circuits (ICs), semiconductor dies or other discrete components are packaged onto a unifying substrate, facilitating their use as a single component (as though a larger IC). The MCM itself will often be referred to as a "chip" in designs, thus illustrating its integrated nature.

Overview

Multi-Chip Modules come in a variety of forms depending on the complexity and development philosophies of their designers. These can range from using pre-packaged ICs on a small printed circuit board (PCB) meant to mimic the package footprint of an existing chip package to fully custom chip packages integrating many chip dies on a High Density Interconnection (HDI) substrate.

Multi-Chip Module packaging is an important facet of modern electronic miniaturization and micro-electronic systems. MCMs are classified according to the technology used to create the HDI (High Density Interconnection) substrate.

• MCM-L – laminated MCM. The substrate is a multi-layer laminated PCB (Printed circuit board).
• MCM-D – deposited MCM. The modules are deposited on the base substrate using thin film technology.
• MCM-C – ceramic substrate MCMs, such as LTCC.

Chip stack MCMs

A relatively new development in MCM technology is the so-called "chip-stack" package. Certain ICs, memories in particular, have very similar or identical pinouts when used multiple times within systems. A carefully designed substrate can allow these dies to be stacked in a vertical configuration making the resultant MCM's footprint much smaller (albeit at the cost of a thicker or taller chip). Since area is more often at a premium in miniature electronics designs, the chip-stack is an attractive option in many applications such as cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). After a thinning process, as many as ten dies can be stacked to create a high capacity SD memory card.^{[citation needed]}

Examples of MCM technologies

• IBM Bubble memory MCMs (1970s)
• IBM 3081 mainframe's thermal conduction module (1980s)
• Intel Pentium Pro, Pentium D Presler , Xeon Dempsey and Clovertown, Core 2 Quad (Kentsfield and Yorkfield) and Clarkdale
• Sony memory sticks
• Xenos, a GPU designed by ATI Technologies for the Xbox 360, with eDRAM
• POWER2, POWER4, POWER5 and POWER7 from IBM
• z196 from IBM
• AMD processors for Socket G34
• Nintendo's Wii U has its CPU, GPU, and onboard VRAM (integrated into the GPU) on one MCM.^[1]
• VIA Nano

See also

• System in package (SIP)
• Hybrid integrated circuit
• Chip carrier Chip packaging and package types list

References

External links

• Multi-Chip Modules API Technologies RF2M Division
• Multichip Module Technology (MCM) or System on a Package (SoP)
• AMD aims to stay in the race with Magny-Cours 12-core CPU
• MCM Design in AutoCAD – CDS Master MCM Designer Suite