Abstract:
An apparatus including a socket having a socket body and a cavity within the socket body. The apparatus further including a thermoelectric cooler coupled to an in-substrate voltage regulator positioned within the cavity. A method including coupling a thermoelectric cooler to an in-substrate voltage regulator positioned within a cavity of a socket and electrically coupling the thermoelectric cooler to the socket using a contact of the socket. A system including an electronic appliance having a processor including an in-substrate voltage regulator positioned within a cavity of a socket coupled to the processor. The system further including a thermoelectric cooler positioned within the cavity and coupled to the in-substrate voltage regulator.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    Embodiments described herein generally relate to the field of integrated circuit package cooling, and more particularly, to socket enabled current delivery to a thermoelectric cooler for cooling of in-substrate voltage regulators. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The demand for small form-factor, high-speed computing systems has led to placing components such as voltage regulators on a substrate of an integrated circuit package. Voltage regulators have the potential to remove system board parasitic influences and improve on third, and possibly second, voltage droop. A voltage regulator, however, can produce a significant amount of heat that could impact the performance and reliability of the integrated circuit package. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more thoroughly apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional side view of socket enabled current delivery to a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator in connection with a computer system, in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of socket enabled current delivery to a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator, in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional side view of socket enabled current delivery to a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator, in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator, in accordance with one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional side view of socket enabled current delivery to a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator, in accordance with one embodiment. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, electronic assembly  100  includes one or more of socket  101  including a socket body  102 , socket contacts  104 , integrated heat spreader  106 , die  108 , substrate  110 , in-substrate voltage regulator  112 , die heat spreader  114 , heat sink  116 , and printed circuit board  118 . 
         [0010]    Socket body  102  represents a material such as plastic that provides mechanical support and attachment for an integrated circuit package and includes socket contacts  104  to electrically couple the integrated circuit package with traces and other components (not shown) on printed circuit board  118 . In one embodiment, socket body  102  is a land grid array (LGA) socket with socket contacts  104  arranged around a substantially central cavity  120 . Alternatively, socket body  102  may be any type of socket body deemed desirable. In some embodiments, socket contacts  104  are arranged around cavity  120  in a square pattern. 
         [0011]    One or more of thermoelectric cooler  122  may be placed in cavity  120  to dissipate heat from in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . In this aspect, thermoelectric cooler  122  is placed adjacent in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . Thermoelectric cooler  122  may have any dimensions suitable for positioning thermoelectric cooler  122  within cavity  120  and cooling in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . For example, thermoelectric cooler  122  may be a thin film, micro or nano sized thermoelectric cooler or any other similarly sized thermoelectric cooler. Thermoelectric cooler  122  may be made of any material suitable to dissipate heat from in-substrate voltage regulator  112 , such as, thin film superlattices or nanocomposites. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, thermoelectric cooler  122  has substantially the same or smaller dimensions than that of in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . For example, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, thermoelectric cooler  122  has substantially the same surface dimensions as in-substrate voltage regulator  112  such that the entire in-substrate voltage regulator  112  may be cooled by a single thermoelectric cooler  122 . In other embodiments, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , thermoelectric cooler  122  has a smaller surface dimension than in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . In this aspect, thermoelectric cooler  122  may be positioned adjacent a hot spot of in-substrate voltage regulator so that it cools this portion of in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . In this aspect, localized cooling of in-substrate voltage regulator  112  may be achieved. It is contemplated that more then one thermoelectric cooler  122  may be used where cooling of multiple localized regions of in-substrate voltage regulator  112  is deemed desirable. For example, in some embodiments, more than one thermoelectric cooler  122  could be placed thermally parallel to each other (next to each other) for cooling of different locations or in series (stacked on top of each other) to enhance a cooling load. 
         [0013]    Integrated heat spreader  106  may further be placed in cavity  120  of socket body  102 . Integrated heat spreader  106  may be used to dissipate heat from thermoelectric cooler  122  and in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . In this aspect, a thermal impact of in-substrate voltage regulator  112  on assembly  100 , and die  108  specifically, may be reduced. 
         [0014]    Integrated heat spreader  106  may further be used to facilitate insertion of thermoelectric cooler  122  within cavity  120 . Due to the dimensions of cavity  120  it may be difficult to position thermoelectric cooler  122  within cavity  120 . In this aspect, thermoelectric cooler  122  may be connected to a flat surface of integrated heat spreader  106  as shown in  FIG. 1  prior to inserting integrated heat spreader  106  in cavity  120 . Integrated heat spreader  106  with thermoelectric cooler  122  attached may then be inserted into cavity  120  when the associated integrated circuit package is inserted in socket body  120 . In this aspect, integrated heat spreader  106  provides support for thermoelectric cooler  122  within cavity  120 . 
         [0015]    Integrated heat spreader  106  may be made of copper, aluminum or any other metal or metal alloy that would be suitable for spreading heat. Integrated heat spreader  106  may be L-shaped with one end attached to socket body  102  and the other end floating over cavity  120 , or U-shaped with two ends attached to socket body  102  on opposite sides of cavity  120 , or basket-shaped with four sides attached to socket body  102  and a flat surface that covers cavity  120 . In some embodiments, integrated heat spreader  106  is enclosed in socket  101  from four or less sides. Still further, integrated heat spreader  106  may be any other shape that allows integrated heat spreader  106  to attach to socket body  102  and provide a heat spreading surface to components within cavity  120 . 
         [0016]    Thermal interface material  130  may further be provided to promote adhesion and promote heat transfer between thermoelectric cooler  122 , in-substrate voltage regulator  112  and integrated heat spreader  106 . In some embodiments, thermal interface material  130  may be a paste, including, but not limited to, a thixotropic paste, carbon black paste or fluidic paste. In still further embodiments, thermal interface material could be a two-phase material. In other embodiments, thermal interface material  130  may be, but is not limited to, a sheet or foil such as a metal sheet, graphite sheet, aluminum foil or copper foil. It is further contemplated that thermal interface material  130  may be a nanoparticle loaded fluid, i.e. nanofluid. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that integrated heat spreader  106  may be omitted and thermal interface material  130  may be used to support thermoelectric cooler  122 . 
         [0017]    Electrical power may be delivered to thermoelectric cooler  122  through one or more of contacts  104 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , contacts  124  and  126  adjacent cavity  120  are dimensioned to contact thermoelectric cooler  122  on one end and printed circuit board  118  on another end. In some embodiments, one end of contacts  124  and  126  may be in direct contact with, or soldered to, metal pads (not shown) on thermoelectric cooler  122 . The other end of contacts  124  and  126  may be connected to printed circuit board  118  though solder balls  128  and  129 , respectively. Contacts  124  and  126  may be of any size and shape suitable for contacting thermoelectric cooler  122 . Contacts  124  and  126  may be of a same or different material than contacts  104  not connected to thermoelectric cooler. Although only contacts  124  and  126  are shown connected to thermoelectric cooler  122 , it is contemplated that any number of contacts  104  deemed desirable may be connected to one or more of thermoelectric cooler  122 . In this aspect, power may be delivered directly to thermoelectric cooler  122  through socket  102 . 
         [0018]    It is further contemplated that power may be delivered to thermoelectric cooler  122  by connecting contacts  124  and  126  to metal pads on heat spreader  106  applied to thermoelectric cooler  122 . In this aspect, contact metal pads can be placed on heat spreader  106  and metal traces may be provided through heat spreader  106  to a point where heat spreader  106  contacts thermoelectric cooler  122 . In this aspect, power to thermoelectric cooler  122  may be supplied through heat spreader  106 . Alternatively, heat spreader  106  may be omitted and replaced with a heat sink having contact metal pads and metal traces to provide power to thermoelectric cooler  122 . 
         [0019]    Loading of socket  101  as described herein allows for multiple cooling components to be connected to assembly  100  without requiring any substantial form factor modifications to assembly  100 . Although embodiments described herein may reduce a volume within socket cavity  120 , it will not impact power delivery to assembly  100 . In addition, assembly  100  as described herein allows heat to be directly transferred to printed circuit board  118  for heat dissipation. In this aspect, a lower thermal resistance path may be achieved than when cavity  120  is not loaded as described. 
         [0020]    Electronic assembly  100  may be part of a processor of an electronic appliance such as a computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, hand-held, server, internet appliance, etc.), a wireless communications device (e.g., cellular phone, cordless phone, pager), a computer-related peripheral (e.g., printer, scanner, monitor), and entertainment device (e.g., television, radio, stereo, tape player, compact disc player, video cassette recorder, Motion Picture Experts Group, audio writer 3 (MP3) player and the like.  FIG. 1  shows electronic assembly  100  that is part of a desktop computer. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of socket enabled current delivery to a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator, in accordance with another embodiment. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, electronic assembly  200  includes one or more of socket  101  including socket body  102 , socket contacts  104 , integrated heat spreader  106 , die  108 , substrate  110 , in-substrate voltage regulator  112 , die heat spreader  114 , heat sink  116 , and printed circuit board  118 . Socket body  102 , socket contacts  104 , die  108 , substrate  110 , in-substrate voltage regulator  112 , die heat spreader  114 , heat sink  116 , and printed circuit board  118  are substantially similar to those described in reference to  FIG. 1 . Socket body  102  includes socket contacts  104  to electrically couple the integrated circuit package with traces and other components (not shown) on printed circuit board  118 . Socket body  102  includes socket contacts  104  arranged around a substantially central cavity  120 . 
         [0022]    One or more of thermoelectric cooler  122  may be placed in cavity  120  to cool in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . In this embodiment, thermoelectric cooler  122  is embedded within integrated heat spreader  106  and placed adjacent to in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . Thermoelectric cooler  122  may be embedded within integrated heat spreader  106  by any suitable technique, such as forming a hole or depression within integrated heat spreader  106  and placing thermoelectric cooler  122  within the hole or depression. 
         [0023]    Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , thermal interface material  130  may be provided to promote adhesion and heat transfer between thermoelectric cooler  122 , in-substrate voltage regulator  112  and integrated heat spreader  106 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , thermal interface material  130  is placed between thermoelectric cooler  122  and in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . 
         [0024]    Power may be delivered directly to thermoelectric cooler  122  by contacts  124  and  126  of socket body  102  connected to thermoelectric cooler  122  on one end and printed circuit board  118  on another end through solder balls  128  and  129 , respectively, as described in reference to  FIG. 1 . Although only contacts  124  and  126  are shown connected to thermoelectric cooler  122 , it is contemplated that any number of contacts  104  deemed desirable may be connected to one or more of thermoelectric cooler  122 . Alternatively, power may be delivered to thermoelectric cooler  122  through heat spreader  106  or a heat sink as described in reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional side view of socket enabled current delivery to a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator, in accordance with another embodiment. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, electronic assembly  300  includes one or more of socket  101  including a socket body  102 , socket contacts  104 , integrated heat spreader  106 , die  108 , substrate  110 , in-substrate voltage regulator  112 , die heat spreader  114 , heat sink  116 , thermal interface material  130  and printed circuit board  118 . Socket body  102 , socket contacts  104 , die  108 , substrate  110 , in-substrate voltage regulator  112 , die heat spreader  114 , heat sink  116 , integrated heat spreader  106 , thermal interface material  130  and printed circuit board  118  are substantially similar to those described in reference to  FIG. 1 . Socket body  102  includes socket contacts  104  to electrically couple the integrated circuit package with traces and other components (not shown) on printed circuit board  118 . Socket contacts  104  arranged around a substantially central cavity  120 . 
         [0026]    One or more of thermoelectric cooler  122  may be placed in cavity  120  to cool in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . In this aspect, thermoelectric cooler  122  is positioned between integrated heat spreader  106  and in-substrate voltage regulator  112 , by for example, connecting thermoelectric cooler  122  to a surface of integrated heat spreader  106  and then inserting integrated heat spreader  106  within cavity  120 . Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , thermal interface material  130  may be provided to promote adhesion and heat transfer between thermoelectric cooler  122 , in-substrate voltage regulator  112  and integrated heat spreader  106 . 
         [0027]    Power may be delivered directly to thermoelectric cooler  122  by contacts  124  and  126  of socket body  102  connected to thermoelectric cooler  122  on one end and printed circuit board  118  on another end through solder balls  128  and  129 , respectively, as described in reference to  FIG. 1 . Although only contacts  124  and  126  are shown connected to thermoelectric cooler  122 , it is contemplated that any number of contacts  104  deemed desirable may be connected to one or more of thermoelectric cooler  122 . Alternatively, power may be delivered to thermoelectric cooler  122  through heat spreader  106  or a heat sink as described in reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0028]    An additional cooling component  302  may be connected to integrated heat spreader  106  by any suitable technique when further cooling is deemed desirable. In some embodiments, cooling component  302  may be a heat sink, a heat pipe or a cold plate of a microchannel liquid cooler. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator, in accordance with one embodiment. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, in-substrate voltage regulator  112 , thermoelectric cooler  122 , thermal interface material  130  and integrated heat spreader  106  are shown prior to assembly. In this embodiment, thermoelectric cooler  122  is smaller than in-substrate voltage regulator  112 . In this aspect, when assembled, thermoelectric cooler  122  will cool a localized area of in-substrate voltage regulator  112  adjacent the surface of thermoelectric cooler  122 . Integrated heat spreader  106  is shown substantially U-shaped with two ends. Each of the ends may be attached to socket body  102  on opposite sides of cavity  120 . 
         [0030]    In the preceding detailed description, specific embodiments are illustrated, including techniques for socket enabled current delivery to a thermoelectric cooler to cool an in-substrate voltage regulator. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. For example, cooling components described herein may be modified to accommodate various form factor limitations of the electronic assembly, for example, the mechanical envelope designed for some standard computer chassis. It is contemplated that, the cooling configuration described herein is suitable for use with a wide variety of electronic appliances that would benefit from the embodiments described herein. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.