Abstract:
Some embodiments described herein include apparatuses and methods of forming such apparatuses. In one such embodiment, an apparatus may include an electronic arrangement, a first die, and a second die coupled to the first die and the electronic arrangement. The electronic arrangement may include an opening. At least a portion of the die may occupy at least a portion of the opening in the electronic arrangement. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 13/707,032, filed Dec. 6, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments described herein pertain to electrical devices. Some embodiments relate to electrical interconnections involving integrated circuit packages and circuit boards. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many electronic items including desktop, laptop, and tablet computers, cellular phones, and other electronic items, usually have one or more electrical devices, such as a memory device to store information, a processor to process information, or both the memory device and the processor. The device may be part of an integrated circuit (IC) package. Information exchanged between the device of the IC package and other devices may be conducted in the form of electrical signals passing through electrical connections between the IC package and the other devices. The electrical connections may be formed in part by conductive connections (e.g., solder balls) located on the IC package and interconnections located on a circuit board. In some cases, such electrical connections may be temporarily formed for testing the device during a test. Factors such as package warpage and manufacturing tolerances may degrade such electrical connections. Designing electrical interconnections to account for such factors may sometimes pose a challenge. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an electronic arrangement including interconnections for providing electrical connections between an electronic assembly and a base, according to some embodiments described herein. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2C , and  FIG. 2D  show different views of interconnections including a crank-shaped spring, according to some embodiments described herein. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3C , and  FIG. 3D  show different views of interconnections including a rod and a spring, according to some embodiments described herein. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4C , and  FIG. 4D  show different views of interconnections including a volute spring, according to some embodiments described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an electronic arrangement  100  including interconnections  110  for providing electrical connections between an electronic assembly  120  and a base  130 . according to some embodiments described herein. Base  130  may include a circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board, such as a motherboard). Electronic assembly  120  may include an integrated circuit (IC) package or other electronic devices. Electronic assembly  120  may include conductive contacts (e.g., solder balls)  121  to be coupled to respective interconnections  110 . 
         [0009]    Electronic assembly  120  may include a device  122  attached to a substrate (e.g., a package substrate)  123  through conductive contacts (e.g., solder balls)  124 . Substrate  123  may include conductive paths (not shown) coupled to conductive contacts  121  and  124 . Device  122  may include a semiconductor (e.g., silicon) die. The die may include circuitry to perform one or more functions, such as processing information, storing information, or other functions. For example, the die in device  122  may include a processor (e.g., including transistors, arithmetic logic units, and other components) that may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor may also include application specific integrated circuits (ASIC). 
         [0010]    Examples of the IC package in electronic assembly  120  may include a ball grid array (BGA) packaging type, land grid array (LGA) packaging type, pin grid array (PGA) packaging type, or other types of packaging. Electronic assembly  120  may be included in electronic items such as desktop, laptop, and tablet computers, e-readers (e.g., e-book readers), personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular telephones, smart phones, servers, web appliances, set-top boxes (STBs), network routers, network switches, network bridges, or other types of electronic items. 
         [0011]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , base  130  may be coupled to an analyzer  140  through an interface  150 . Interface  150  may include conductive paths (e.g., electrical conductors) coupled to interconnections  110  to allow communication (e.g., in the form of signals) between analyzer  140  and electronic assembly  120  through interconnections  110  and interface  150 . Analyzer  140  may include a tester (e.g., a computer) to test electronic assembly  120  (e.g., to test device  122 ), base  130 , or both. Thus, in electronic arrangement  100 , device  122  may be may be a device under test (DUT). 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows only five interconnections  110  as an example. The number of interconnections  110  may vary. For example, electronic arrangement  100  may include numerous interconnections  110  arranged in rows and columns. For simplicity,  FIG. 1  show interconnections  110  located in only a portion (e.g., top portion) of base  130 . Interconnections  110 , however, may include components located in other portions (e.g., middle and bottom portions) of base  130 . For example, interconnections  110  may include interconnections having components described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 4D . 
         [0013]      FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2C , and  FIG. 2D  show different views of interconnections  210  and a base  230 , according to some embodiments described herein.  FIG. 2A  shows a side view of interconnections  210  and base  230 .  FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view (with respect to x, y, and z directions) of a portion of one of interconnections  210  of  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2C  shows a cross section of a portion of interconnections  210  and base  230  of  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2D  shows a top view of a via  234  of base  230  of  FIG. 2C . 
         [0014]    Interconnections  210  and base  230  in  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D  may correspond to interconnections  110  and base  130 , respectively, of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2A  shows only three interconnections  210  as an example. The number of interconnections  210  may vary. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , base  230  may include surfaces (e.g., top and bottom surfaces)  231  and  232 , and an opening  233  extending between surfaces  231  and  232  at each of interconnections  210 . Base  230  may include a via  234  ( FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D ) associated with opening  233 . Via  234  may include an electrically conductive via (e.g., a metal via). At least a portion of via  234  may be located inside (e.g., near surface  231 ) opening  233 . Via  234  may include a sidewall  235  having a cylindrical shape (e.g., a cylindrical sidewall  235 ). Base  230  may include conductive paths (not shown) coupled to via  234  to provide electrical communication (e.g., in the form of signals) to and from one or more of interconnections  210  through via  234 . Such electrical communication may include signals carrying power supply, data information, control information, or other kinds of information, 
         [0016]    Each of interconnections  210  ( FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 2C ) may include electrical components and mechanical components. The electrical components may include a collar  211  and a pin  215  having conductive material (e.g., metal such as copper). The mechanical components may include a spring  260 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 2C , collar  211  may include portions  212  and  213 . Portion  212  ( FIG. 2B ) may have a cylindrical shape that may form a slender cylinder. Portion  212  ( FIG. 2C ) may be located inside opening  233  of base  230  and coupled to via  234 . Portion  212  may directly contact sidewall  235  of via  234  and conform to sidewall  235 . Portion  212  may be inserted into via  234 , such that portion  212  may be coupled to via  234  by press fit coupling. Portion  213  (FIG.  2 B) may have a ring shape with a dimension (e.g., outer diameter) greater than a diameter of the opening  233 . This may allow portion  213  to form a stopper (e.g., a mechanical hinder) to prevent collar  211  (e.g., entire collar  211 ) from sliding into via  234 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 2C , portion  213  may be located outside via  234  and outside opening  233 . 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , collar  211  may include a slit  214  extending along the length (e.g., in the z-direction) of collar  211 . Slit  214  may separate portion  212  such that portion  212  may not be a continuous portion (e.g., at least part of portion  212  is void of material at slit  214 ). Slit  214  may also separate portion  213  such that portion  213  may not be a continuous portion (e.g., at least part of portion  213  is void of material at slit  214 ). In an alternative structure, collar  211  may not include a slit (e.g., slit  214 ) in one or both of portions  212  and  213 . Thus, in an alternative structure, portion  212  may be a continuous portion, portion  213  may be a continuous portion, or both portions  212  and  213  may be continuous portions. 
         [0019]    Pin  215  ( FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 2C ) includes ends (e.g., pin heads)  216  and  217 . End  216  ( FIG. 2C ) may be located outside base  230  (e.g., outside opening  233  of base  230 ). End  217  may be located inside base  230  (e.g., inside opening  233  of base  230 ). Pin  215  may be electrically coupled (e.g., directly contacting) collar  211 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2C , a portion between ends  216  and  217  a body) of pin  215  may directly contact portion  212  of collar  211 . Pin  215  may be arranged to move (e.g., slide) in a direction (e.g., z-direction) between ends  216  and  217  while maintaining electrical contact with collar  211 . 
         [0020]    Collar  211 , pin  215 , and via  234  may establish an electrical connection (e.g., a temporary electrical connection during a test) to allow monitoring of electrical communication to and from a device (e.g., a DUT, such as device  122  of  FIG. 1 ) coupled to pin  215  of each of interconnections  210 . 
         [0021]    Spring  260  ( FIG. 2A ) may include a crank-shaped spring. For example, spring  260  may include multiple segments (e.g., three segments as shown in  FIG. 2A ) that are substantially straight. The multiple segments may form different angles (e.g., different bends) in spring  260 . Spring  260  includes ends  261  and  262 . End  261  may be coupled (e.g., directly contacting) to end  217  of pin  215   FIG. 2C ). End  262  may be coupled (e.g., fixed) to a fixture  239 . Spring  260  may include conductive material (e.g., metal). Alternatively, spring  260  may include non-conductive material (e.g., non-metal material), such that spring  260  may not be electrically coupled to pin  215 . 
         [0022]    Spring  260  may form a mechanical actuator to enable pin  215  to move (e.g., slide) in a direction between ends  216  and  217  when a force is applied to at least one of ends  216  and  217 . For example, spring  260  may be compressed (e.g., in the z-direction) when an electronic assembly (e.g., electronic assembly  120  of  FIG. 1 ) is attached to pin  215  (e.g., pressed against pin  215  in the z-direction) of each of interconnections  210 . Thus, the arrangement of spring  260  and pin  215  may be associated with distributed compliant mechanism, providing functions of spring and load transfer. 
         [0023]    The arrangement of spring  260 , collar  211 , and pin  215  may isolate spring  260  from an electrical path formed by pin  215 , collar  211 , and via  234 . Thus, in comparison with a conventional interconnection having a spring included in an electrical path between two pin heads (e.g., a pogo-pin), each of interconnections  210  may have a shorter electrical path formed by pin  215 , collar  211 , and via  234 . This may lead to a lower profile (e.g., smaller interconnection dimension in the z-direction) for interconnections  210  between base  230  and other electronic devices (e.g., between base  230  and electronic assembly  120  of  FIG. 1 ). Lower profile may improve device electrical performance, such as signal integrity and power delivery. 
         [0024]    Each of interconnections  210  may have a relatively large pin stroke with adequate force to make electrical contact with another device (e.g., with electronic assembly  120  of  FIG. 1 ). The pin stroke refers a distance that pin  215  may move (e.g., slide) from a reference point to another point (e.g., move in the z-direction). In some cases, thinner and smaller device form factor (e.g., in  FIG. 1 , thinner device  120 , substrate  122 , or both) may impact negatively to the planarity of semiconductor package (e.g., electronic assembly  120  of  FIG. 1 ). In some of such cases, a relatively large pin stroke may be needed to improve the quality of electrical connections (e.g., connections between base  230  and electronic assembly  120  of  FIG. 1 ) that may be compromised when factors such as package warpage and manufacturing tolerances are present. In a conventional interconnection (e.g., a pogo-pin), it may be difficult (or unachievable in some cases) to increase pin stroke without decreasing pin force or increasing the length of the pin. However, if such a pin force is decreased in (e.g., in a pogo-pin) in order to increased pin stroke, electrical contact between the pin and a contact of a device (coupled to the pin) may be degraded (e.g., increased in resistance). 
         [0025]    In interconnections  210 , however, the arrangement of spring  260  and pin  215  may enable a large pin stroke (e.g., in comparison with a pogo-pin) by distributing the stress induced by displacement and load to the distributed spring mechanism. Thus, in interconnections  210 , the pin stroke of pin  215  may be increased without increasing the length of pin  125  or decreasing the pin force. This may improve the quality of electrical connections between base  230  and other devices (e.g., electronic assembly  120  of  FIG. 1 ) when package (e.g., substrate  123 ) warpage, manufacturing tolerances, or other undesirable factors are present. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3A , FIG,  3 B,  FIG. 3C , and  FIG. 3D  show different views of interconnections  310  having a rod  370  between a pin  215  and a spring  360 , and a base  330 , according to some embodiments described herein. Interconnections  310  and base  330  in  FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 3D  may correspond to interconnections  110  and base  130 , respectively, of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3A  shows only three interconnections  310  as an example. The number of interconnections  310  may vary. 
         [0027]    Interconnections  310  and base  330  may include elements similar to or identical to those of interconnections  210  and base  230  ( FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D ), respectively. Thus, for simplicity, similar or identical elements between interconnections  210  and  310  and between bases  230  and  330  are given the same reference numbers. The description of such similar or identical elements is not repeated in the description of  FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 3D . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3B  and.  FIG. 3C , each of interconnections  310  may include electrical components formed by collar  211  and pin  215 , and mechanical components formed by spring  360  and rod  370 . The arrangement of the spring  360 , rod  370 , and pin  215  may be associated with lumped compliant mechanism. Spring  360  may be coupled to end  217  of pin  215  through rod  370 , which enables transferring spring load to the pin  215 . Rod  370  may include conductive material (e.g., metal). Alternatively, rod  370  may include non-conductive material (e.g., non-metal material), such that spring  360  may not be electrically coupled to pin  215 . 
         [0029]    Spring  360  ( FIG. 3C ) may include a coil spring having ends  361  and  362 . End  361  may be coupled (e.g., directly contacting) to end  372  of rod  370 . End  362  may he coupled (e.g., fixed) to base  330  (e.g., positioning on the bottom of base  330 ). Alternatively, spring  360  may include a planar spring. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3C  shows only one spring  360  as an example. Multiple springs may he used. For example, instead of having only one spring  360 , two or more springs similar to or identical to spring  360  may be arranged (e.g., stacked) on top of each other inside opening  233 . 
         [0031]    In comparison with conventional interconnections (e.g., pogo-pins), the arrangement of spring  360 , rod  370 , and pin  215  may allow interconnections  310  to have a relatively lower profile and larger pin stroke similar to that of spring  260  and pin  215 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4C , and  FIG. 4D  show different views of interconnections  410  and a base  430 , according to some embodiments described herein.  FIG. 4A  shows a side view of interconnections  410  and base  430 .  FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view (with respect to x, y, and z directions) of a portion of one of interconnections  410  of  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4C  shows a cross section of a portion of interconnections  410  and base  430  of  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4D  shows a top view of a via  434  of base  430  of  FIG. 4C . 
         [0033]    Interconnections  410  and base  430  in  FIG. 4A  through  FIG. 4D  may correspond to interconnections  110  and base  130 , respectively, of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4A  shows only three interconnections  410  as an example. The number of interconnections  410  may vary. 
         [0034]    Base  430  may include elements similar to or identical to those of base  230  ( FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2C , and  FIG. 2D ). For example, base  430  may include surfaces  431  and  432 , an opening  433  and a via  434  (having sidewall  435 ) at each of interconnections  410 . Base  430  may include conductive paths (not shown) coupled to via  434  to provide electrical communication to and from one or more of interconnections  410  through via  434 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B , and  FIG. 4C , each of interconnection  410  may include electrical components and mechanical components. The electrical components may include a collar  411  ( FIG. 4B ) and a pin  415  ( FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C ) having conductive material (e.g., metal such as copper). The mechanical components may include a volute spring  460  ( FIG. 4B and 4C ) having conductive material. Volute spring  460  may provide relatively large contact areas contacting collar  411  and pin  415  and provide pin lateral stability. 
         [0036]    Collar  411  ( FIG. 4B ) may include portions  412  and  413  ( FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C ). Portion  412  may have a cylindrical shape that may form a plump cylinder surrounding at least a portion of volute spring  460 . Portion  412  ( FIG. 4C ) may be located inside opening  433  of base  430  and coupled to via  434 . Portion  412  may directly contact sidewall  435  ( FIG. 4D ) of via  434  and conform to sidewall  435 . Portion  412  may be inserted into via  434 , such that portion  412 . may be coupled to via  434  by press fit coupling. Portion  413  of collar  411  may be located outside opening  433 . Portion  413  ( FIG. 4B ) may have a ring shape with a dimension (e.g., outer diameter) greater than a diameter of the opening  433 . This may allow portion  413  to form a stopper (e.g., a mechanical hinder) to prevent collar  411  (e.g., entire collar  411 ) from sliding into via  434 . The stopper may also set a reference z-height at the top (e.g., near surface  431 ) of base  430  that may eliminate manufacturing tolerance concern on the thickness of base  430 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , collar  411  may include a slit  414  extending along the length (e.g., in the z-direction) of collar  411 . Slit  414  may separate portion  412  such that portion  412  may not be a continuous portion (e.g., at least part of portion  412  is void of material at slit  414 ). Slit  414  may also separate portion  413  such that portion  413  may not be a continuous portion (e.g., at least part of portion  413  is void of material at slit  414 ). In an alternative structure, collar  411  may not include a slit (e.g., slit  414 ) in one or both portions  412  and  413 . Thus, in an alternative structure, portion  412  be a continuous portion, portion  413  be a continuous portion, or both portions  412  and  413  may be continuous portions. 
         [0038]    Pin  415  ( FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C ) includes ends (e.g., pin heads)  416  and  417 . End  416  may be located outside base  430  (e.g., outside opening  433  of base  430 ). End  417  may be located inside base  430  (e.g., inside opening  433  of base  430 ). End  417  may include a feature (e.g., a snap-in feature) that may allow pin  415  to be inserted (e.g., snapped) into volute spring  460  and collar  411 . Pin  415  ( FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4C ) may be electrically coupled (e.g., directly contacting) collar  411 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4C , the portion between ends  416  and  417  (e.g., a body) of pin  415  may directly contact portion  412  of collar  411 . Pin  415  may be arranged to move (e.g., slide) in a direction (e.g., z-direction) between ends  416  and  417  while maintaining electrical contact with volute spring  460  and collar  411 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4B  and.  FIG. 4C , at least a portion of volute spring  460  may surround at least a portion of pin  415  between ends  416  and  417 . Portion  412  may hold and surround at least a portion of the volute spring  460  and a portion of pin  415 , such that at least a portion of volute spring  460  may be between portion  412 . of collar  411  and a portion of pin  415 . 
         [0040]    Collar  411 , pin  415 , volute spring  460 , and via  434  may establish an electrical connection (e.g., a temporary electrical connection) to allow monitoring of electrical communication (e.g., in the form of electrical signals) to and from a device (e.g., a DUT, such as device  122  of  FIG. 1 ) coupled to pin  415  of each of interconnections  410 . 
         [0041]    Volute spring  460  may form a mechanical actuator to enable pin  415  to move (e.g., slide) in a direction between ends  416  and  417  when a force is applied to at least one of ends  416  and  417 . For example, volute spring  460  may be compressed (e.g., in the z-direction) when an electronic assembly (e.g., electronic assembly  120  of  FIG. 1 ) is attached to pin  415  (e.g., pressed against pin  415  in the z-direction) of each of interconnections  410 . 
         [0042]    Each of interconnections  410  may have a shorter electrical path (e.g., formed by pin  415 , spring  460 , collar  411 , and via  434 ) in comparison with a conventional interconnection (e.g., a pogo-pin). This may lead to a lower profile for interconnections  410  between base  430  and other electronic devices (e.g., between base  430  and electronic assembly  120  of  FIG. 1 ). Each of interconnections  410  may also have a relatively large pin stroke in comparison with a conventional interconnection (e.g., a pogo-pin). 
         [0043]    The above description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims. 
         [0044]    The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.