Mechanical translator for semiconductor chips

Disclosed herein is a mechanical translator for use in replacing one semiconductor chip with another. A translator allows a first semiconductor chip to be replaced with second semiconductor chip. The translator includes a module having a first surface with a plurality of pins in a first pattern that is compatible with the contact pins of the first semiconductor chip and having a plurality of electrically conductive pads in a second pattern that is compatible with the contact pins of the second semiconductor. The module includes translating semiconductor logic for translating the electrical signals designed to be supplied to and received from the first second semiconductor chip to be compatible with the electronic signals supplied to and received from the second semiconductor chip. The electrical pads are appropriately connected to the translating logic. Also included is an adapter having pattern of pins and sockets compatible with the pattern of pins and sockets of the replacing semiconductor chip. The adapter is connectable in piggy back fashion with the module.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to electromechanical devices which are used in 
replacing one semiconductor chip with another and more particularly to 
electromechanical devices for semiconductor chips which are used to adapt 
the posts and sockets of one semiconductor chip to another. More 
particularly, this invention relates to an electromechanical device for 
sue with semiconductor chips, where the electromechanical device 
incorporates logic circuits for translating and adapting electronic 
signals provided at the electrical contacts of a device socket which were 
designed and intended to communicate with a first semiconductor chip to 
appropriately communicate with a second semiconductor chip. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
As is well documented in the history of the development of semiconductor 
chips, the only thing that remains constant is change. It has always been 
common for a new generation of semiconductor chip to replace the old 
generation. Currently, in areas of memory storage and microprocessors, the 
rate of change has been accelerating. This acceleration of new generations 
of semiconductor chips has the effect of obsoleting entire systems of 
computers in a matter of just a few months. Because the old generation of 
systems are fully understood and appreciated by the user that effort to 
achieve such understanding is wasted by the introduction of the new 
generation of systems. 
For example, over the past three years, since Intel (Intel is a registered 
trademark of Intel Corp.) released their 80386 microprocessor, users have 
only begun to understand and appreciate the powers and capacities of the 
80386. However, within the last eighteen (18) months, Intel released a new 
microprocessor, the 80486, which is designed to work even faster and have 
more capacity than the 80386 generation microprocessors. 
In effect this not only obsoletes the recently released 80386, but also 
entire computer systems around which that semiconductor chip is based. 
Thus, a consumer may have spent $3,000.00-$4,000.00 or more to purchase 
his computer only a few months before and now, with the release of the new 
semiconductor chip his entire machine has become obsolete. Since the 80486 
is so much more powerful than 80386, it is not only conceivable, but even 
likely that important software programs will be written for 80486 which 
will not be able to function effectively with the 80386. These software 
programs may include such important packages as time and billing for 
companies, internal computer organization and backup and a myriad of other 
programs which may not only be desirable for the business person but in 
fact necessary for completion in our increasingly competitive world. 
At first blush it would seem a simple problem to replace one semiconductor 
chip with another, given that they are designed to perform basically the 
same function and that they may even be from the same manufacturer. Using 
the example of the Intel 80386/486, which are both microprocessors made by 
the same company, it is readily seen why the problem of replacing the old 
generation semiconductor chip with the new is quite challenging 
For example, the Intel 80386 microprocessor is a semiconductor chip 
manufactured in a pin grid array package having a 14 by 14 square array of 
electrical contact pins. As is well known, the center array of 8 by 8 pins 
is not installed so that there are 132 pins on the 80386 package. The 
Intel 80486 microprocessor is semiconductor chip manufactured in a pin 
grid array package having a 17 by .intg.square array of electrical contact 
pins. As is well known, the center array of 11 by 11 pins is not installed 
so that there are 168 pins on the 80486 package. Obviously, the 80486 can 
not simply plug into the slot provided for in the mother board of a 
computer designed to accept an 80386. Additionally, the electrical 
impulses read into and out of the 80386 will not be the same as the 
electrical impulses for the 80486. In fact, since the 80486 is a much more 
powerful semiconductor chip, there are eleven more power pins and twenty 
signal pins that are not present in the 80386. Accordingly, as will be 
typical with a new generation semiconductor chip, there are eleven more 
power pins and twenty signal pins that are not present in the 80386. 
Accordingly, additional semiconductor chip logical elements need to be 
added to the electrical impulses for the new generation semiconductor 
chip. 
The new generation chip must be made to be compatible with the old 
generation mother board or like physical structure. The new generation 
chip must be able to read the electrical impulses of the old generation. 
The new generation chip must be able to output electrical impulses that 
are readable by the old generation mother board. 
Additionally, in order to preserve the speed and other advantages of the 
new generation semiconductor chip, the electrical connection distances 
between the new semiconductor chip, the translating logic and the mother 
board must be kept to an absolute minimum. The electrical connection 
distance is important not only for purposes of speed, but also because 
long electrical connection lines encourage the connection lines to act as 
transmission line causing errors which may lead to a break down in the 
entire computer system. 
Thus, a mechanical device which enables one semiconductor chip to replace 
another must meet the electrical limitations described herein. In addition 
to the electrical limitations, the mechanical device must also meet the 
physical limitation of the environment. In the case of the Intel 
80386/486, the 486 is much larger physically and additional logical 
elements must be provided for translation of 386 input/output signals to 
486 input/output signals and vice versa. Thus, initial attempts at 
mechanical adapters which included by laying the necessary elements in a 
side-by-side relationship failed, not only for electrical reasons, but 
also because, such an arrangement was physically incompatible with the 
tight physical environment of a microcomputer. 
In solving this long felt need of saving equipment even after the essential 
semiconductor chip is out-moded and made obsolete by a new generation 
semiconductor chip, the mechanical translator in accordance with this 
invention utilizes a piggy back mounting system which minimizes electrical 
connection distances and gives the mechanical translator a low profile. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide a mechanical translator which 
is compatible with the electrical and physical limitations of the 
semiconductor chip environment. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a mechanical translator 
which allows a new generation semiconductor chip to replace an old 
generation semiconductor chip in the same equipment which is transparent 
to the user. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a mechanical translator 
which allows a new generation semiconductor chip to replace an old 
generation semiconductor chip in the same equipment and which closely 
matches the performance standards of the new semiconductor chip. 
In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and 
will become apparent below, the mechanical translator in accordance with 
this invention comprises: 
a module having a compatible pattern of pins with the first semiconductor 
chip and having openings comprising electrically conductive pads in the 
pattern of pins of the second semiconductor chip; 
the module including translating semiconductor logic for translating the 
electrical impulses of the second chip to be compatible with the first 
chip; and 
the electrical pads being appropriately connected to the translating logic, 
whereby, the second semiconductor chip is connectable to the module and the 
module is connectable to a p.c. board. 
In this first embodiment of the mechanical translator in accordance with 
the invention, the piggy back mounting of the module and new generation 
semiconductor chip allows the electrical connection length of the module 
pins and conductive pads with the translating logic to be minimized so 
that the speed is compatible with the speed of the new generation 
semiconductor chip as well as discouraging to the maximum extent possible 
transmission line propagation and similar difficulties. 
Additionally, the piggy back mounting enables the mechanical translator to 
have a low profile so as to be compatible with the physical environment of 
the semiconductor chip. 
An additional embodiment of the mechanical translator in accordance with 
this invention, comprises: 
a module having a first surface with a plurality of pins in a compatible 
pattern with the first semiconductor chip and having openings comprising 
electrically conductive pads in the pattern of pins for the second 
semiconductor chip, the module including translating semiconductor logic 
for translating the electrical impulses of the second chip to be 
compatible with the first chip, and the electrical pads being 
appropriately connected to the translating logic; and 
an adapter having pattern of pins and sockets compatible with the pattern 
of pins and sockets of the second semiconductor chip and the adapter is 
connectable in piggy back fashion with the module, 
whereby, the second semiconductor chip is connectable to the adapter and 
the module is connectable to a p.c. board. 
In the second embodiment, the mechanical translator includes an adapter 
which is preferably press-fit or soldered or in some other way permanently 
connected to the module. This is the current existing embodiment of the 
invention and it is believed to be the best operating example of the 
mechanical translator in accordance with this invention. 
It is an advantage of this invention to provide a mechanical device which 
will allow a user to keep his equipment current without having to throw 
away his existing equipment. 
It is an additional advantage of this invention to provide a mechanical 
translator which is transparent to the user and which minimizes electrical 
connection distances and which has a low profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The invention will now be described with respect to FIGS. 1-5, which 
illustrates the mechanical translator in accordance with this invention 
generally designated by the numeral 10. The mechanical translator 10 
enables the translation of the electrical signals intended to be provided 
to and received from a first semiconductor chip so that a second 
semiconductor chip with different input and output signal requirements can 
be used in its place. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the 
mechanical translator 10 is used to replace an Intel 80386 with an Intel 
80486. 
The mechanical translator 10 includes a module board 12 having a pattern of 
electrical contact pins 14 and sockets 16. In the preferred embodiment, 
the pins 14 are compatible with the pins of the 80386 and are plugged into 
the socket on the computer intended to receive the 80386. The sockets 16 
are compatible to receive the pins of an 80486. As will be more fully 
appreciated hereinafter, the pattern of sockets 14 of the module board 12 
need not match the semiconductor chip to be replaced. However, since with 
present technology the pins and sockets are part of the same physical 
structure of course what is stated herein about pins will apply equally to 
sockets. If technology should change regarding the physical structure of 
pins and sockets, the above caveat will be understood so as not to limit 
the invention in any way. 
The module board 12 further includes a plurality of openings, defining 
electrically conductive pads 18. The pads 18 form a pattern which is 
compatible with the pattern formed by the semiconductor chip which 
replaces the former semiconductor chip. In the preferred embodiment, the 
pads 18 form a pattern which matches and which is, in fact, identical to 
the pattern of pins for the Intel 80486. Thus, an 80486 can be mounted 
directly into the pad 18 and soldered in place. However, preferably an 
adapter board 30 which will accept an 80486 is mounted and soldered into 
the pads 18. In this manner, the 80486 can be replaced in the event of a 
failure of that device. Further, the module 10 can be manufactured and 
sold with an inexpensive socket which requires relatively simpled handling 
rather than soldered with a 
The module board 12 is preferably made from an ordinary p.c. board to 
reduce costs and provide sufficient and readily available materials for 
manufacture. As shown clearly in FIG. 2, the pattern of pads 18 and pins 
14 are physically interwoven in the thickness of the module board 12. 
In order to minimize the distance between the pads and the pins, thereby 
reducing the physical size of the module board 12, the pads 18 and pins 14 
have a uniform pattern as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. And as further 
illustrated in FIG. 3, the pads 18 are spaced equidistant from the pins 14 
(and sockets 16). In fact, it has been empirically determined that placing 
one of the pads 18 equidistant among four (4) pins 14 (sockets 16), an 
ideal pattern is achieved for the preferred embodiment of the mechanical 
translator 10. 
As further illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the module board 12 includes 
translating logic represented in schematic by logic blocks 20-26. Logic 
blocks 20-26 include the digital semiconductor logic to translate Intel 
80486 electrical impulses to compatible Intel 80386 electrical impulses. 
Logic blocks 20-26 include integrated chips generally available from 
Advanced Micro Devices which are combinational logic and registers, namely 
16R4, 16R6 and 16L8. 
The pads 18 are electrically connected to one of the logic blocks 20-26 as 
appropriate by a collection of electrically conductive lines 28. Likewise, 
the pins 14 are appropriately connected to one of the logic blocks 20-26 
by the electrically conductive lines 28. 
The mechanical translator 10 additionally includes an adapter board 30. 
Although in future applications, it is conceivable that the mechanical 
translator 10 may not include the adapter board 30, the preferred 
embodiment includes the adapter board 30. Without an adapter board 30, the 
replacing semiconductor chip will connect directly to the module board 12. 
The adapter board 30 comprises a semiconductor chip pin and socket set 
mounted in a standard p.c. board. This again adds to the economy, 
reliability and availability of the final product. The adapter board 30 
has a plurality of pins 32 and sockets 34 defining a pattern which matches 
the pattern pins and sockets of the replacing semiconductor chip, namely 
the Intel 80486 . 
The pins 32 of the adapter board 30 align with the pads 18 of the module 
board 12. It is to be noted that the pads 18 can not and do not align with 
the sockets 16 of the module board 12 for the preferred embodiment. The 
adapter board 30 is connected in piggy back to the module board 12. This 
minimizes the physical space taken up by the mechanical translator 10 and 
minimizes the electrical connections distance between the pads 18 and the 
logic blocks 20-26. 
The adapter board 30 is connected to the module board 12 in a permanent 
fashion by press fit connection of the pins 32 to the pads 18. 
Alternatively, the pins 32 may be connected to the pads 18 by soldering. 
In an alternative embodiment, it is conceivable that the adapter board 30 
may include logic blocks 36, illustrated in phantom in FIG. 4. In that 
embodiment, the pins 32 would be electrically connected to the logic 
blocks 36 by electrically conductive lines (not shown). However, the 
preferred embodiment does not include logic blocks 36 on the adapter board 
30. 
As shown particularly in FIG. 4, the replacing semiconductor chip pins are 
aligned with the sockets 34 of the adapter board 30 and are plugged into 
same for electrical and physical connection therewith. The adapter board 
30 is press fit into the module board 12. Also, the module board 12 is 
plugged into a p.c. board 40. It will be appreciated that the p.c. board 
40 may comprise a so called mother board. In the case of the preferred 
embodiment, the p.c. board 40 does in fact describe the mother board for 
an Intel 80386 based micro computer. The mechanical translator 10 may be 
removed from the mother board as necessary. 
While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments 
of the mechanical translator in accordance with this invention, it is to 
be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not 
limiting of the disclosed invention. Particularly, the mechanical 
translator 10 may be used for other semiconductor chips besides Intel's 
80386/486. It will be appreciated that the mechanical translator described 
herein contemplates uses with various different microprocessors and other 
logic units and that these too are to be considered within the spirit and 
scope of this invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the 
claims as set forth below.