Patent Publication Number: US-8115306-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for packaging circuits

Description:
This application is Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/934,556 filed Nov. 2, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,675,169 which is a is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/281,084 filed Nov. 17, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,358,154, which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/929,932, filed Aug. 30, 2004, which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/118,576, filed Apr. 8, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,894,386, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 from Singapore Application No. 200106182-9 filed Oct. 8, 2001, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Wafers are fabricated with a plurality of dice each having a plurality of integrated circuit elements therein. A die represents one individual chip that must be separated from adjacent dice before packaging. Contacts are added to the die before packaging. One type of contact is a solder ball. Wafer level packaging (WLP) refers to the complete packaging of an electronic component at the die or the wafer level. WLP is normally considered as a true chip size package. However, the profile of most WLP is the sum of the thickness of the die and the solder balls. It is desired to reduce the profile and/or thickness of packaged components. 
     For the reasons stated above, for other reasons stated below, and for other reasons which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an improved electronic component package and methods of packaging electronic components. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the invention are directed to integrated circuit dice and their method of manufacture. An embodiment of the invention includes an edge contact at a peripheral surface of the die. The edge contact connects to a bond pad through a line. In an embodiment, adjacent dice on a wafer are connected to a same edge contact. The edge contact is divided. In an embodiment, the edge contact is divided when the dice are separated. In an embodiment, the edge contact is in the saw street and is divided when the wafer is diced. The die, in some embodiments, includes a main body including a top layer, a bottom layer, and a peripheral edge surface extending between the top layer and the bottom layer. The main body includes an integrated circuit therein that is electrically connected to the bond pad. In an embodiment, the edge contact is beneath the top layer. In an embodiment, the edge contact is above the bottom layer such that the edge contact does not increase the height of the die. In an embodiment, the bond pad is at the top layer. In an embodiment, the die is encased by an encapsulant. 
     Some embodiments of the invention include methods for creating a die. An embodiment of the invention includes fabricating at least two dice on a wafer, wherein the at least two dice are joined at an electrically conductive element in a saw street, and separating the at least two dice from each other along the saw street. At least part of the electrically conductive element remains with each die. In an embodiment, the electrically conductive element is created by forming a recess in the saw street and filling the recess with an electrically conducting material. In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes connecting a bond pad from at least one of the dice to the electrically conductive material. An embodiment of the invention includes fabricating circuits for a memory device in at least one of the dice. In an embodiment of the invention, forming the recess includes sawing along the saw street to a depth of about half a height of the die. An embodiment of the invention includes connecting the bond pad includes depositing a metal on the wafer between the bond pad and the electrically conductive material. 
     A further embodiment of the method includes patterning a recess in a saw street intermediate adjacent dice in a wafer, depositing an electrically conductive material in the recess to form an edge contact, connecting a bond pad of both dice to the edge contact, and separating the adjacent dice along the saw street such that each dice includes a part of the edge contact. An embodiment of the invention includes masking the wafer such that the electrically conductive material is deposited only in the recess. 
     Embodiments of the invention also include substrates, wafers, integrated circuit packages, electrical devices, memory units, memory modules, electrical systems, computers, which include at least one die. 
     These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a wafer including a plurality of dice according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a die according to the invention. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross sectional views of two dice according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 3C and 3D  are cross sectional views of two dice according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C are cross sectional views of two dice according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of two dice separated according to the teachings of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a die in a package according to the teachings of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a circuit module according to the teachings of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is view of a memory module according to the teachings of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of an electronic system according to the teachings of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of an embodiment of an electronic system according to the teachings an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a view of a computer system according to the teachings of an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical or mechanical changes may be made. The terms wafer and substrate used in the following description include any base semiconductor structure. Both are to be understood as including silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) technology, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, thin film transistor (TFT) technology, doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial layers of a silicon supported by a base semiconductor structure, as well as other semiconductor structures well known to one skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     The present description uses a reference number convention of the first digit corresponding to the figure in which the number references and the last two digits corresponding to like elements throughout the description. For example, the edge contact has a reference number of X09, where X is the number of figure on which the reference number first appears. 
       FIG. 1  shows a wafer  100  including a plurality of dice  101 ,  102 , and  103  that are joined together along saw streets  105 . Wafer  100  is illustrated as a square wafer but it will be understood that the wafer is not so limited and includes 200 millimeter, 300 millimeter, and 450 millimeter wafers known to those of skill in the art. Moreover, wafer  100  is illustrated with only three dice  101 ,  102 ,  103  thereon. It will be understood that the wafer  100  may have greater than two or three dice. In an embodiment, the wafer has greater than one thousand dice. A die is an individual pattern, typically rectangular, on a substrate or wafer that contains circuitry, or integrated circuit devices, to perform a specific function. Each die  101 - 103  includes an electrical circuit fabricated thereon according to known techniques. The die  101 - 103  include integrated circuit elements such as capacitors, transistors, line, interconnects, plugs, pads, I/O connections, insulators, and/or other elements known in the art. These integrated circuit elements form electronic components such as processors and memory devices. Examples of memory devices include DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, EEPROM, flash memory, ROM, etc. In an embodiment, semiconductor wafer  100  contains a repeated pattern of such dice containing the same functionality. 
     Dice  101 - 103  include bonding pads  106 . In an embodiment, dice  101 - 103  are identical and are formed by repeating a mask pattern on the wafer  100 . In an embodiment, pads  106  are at the top layer of the die. In an embodiment, pads  106  have a top surface aligned with the top surface of the thus-formed die. In an embodiment, pads  106  are aligned lengthwise along the middle of the die. Other embodiments of the invention are not limited to the pads  106  being positioned in the middle of the die. An electrically conductive line  108  extends from each of the pads  106  to the periphery of the die  101 - 103 . Each line  108  electrically connects one pad  106  to one edge contact  109 . Edge contacts  109  are positioned at the periphery of each die. Contacts  109  that are positioned at the periphery of two adjacent dice are integrally formed. That is, contacts  109  at the saw street  105  between die  101  and die  102  are connected to lines  108  of both die  101  and  102 . These contacts  109  are separated during a separation or dicing operation as described herein. Each of the pads  106 , lines  108 , and contacts  109  are not labeled in  FIG. 1  for clarity. Each unit of connected pad  106 , line  108 , and contact  109  act as input/output connections to the internal circuits of the die. In an embodiment, the dice  101 - 103  are separated and further processed, e.g., tested or packaged, to form an end integrated circuit product. 
     In an embodiment, third metal redistribution wafer level packaging technology is used on the wafer  100  to form the lines  108  from the bond pads  106  to the edge contacts  109 . Channels are formed in the saw streets  105 . In an embodiment, the wafer  100  is first sawed about half to about three-quarter way through at the saw streets  105 . This forms the channels in the saw streets  105  between die  101 - 103 . Electrically conductive material is patterned in the channels to form the edge contacts  109 . Third metal redistribution on the wafer  100  creates the lines  108  out from the bond pads  106  to the edge contacts  109 . In an embodiment, lines  108  on the adjacent dice  101 ,  102  or  102 ,  103  connect to the bond pads  106  of the adjacent die to a same edge contact as shown in  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, the wafer  100  is coated with polymide (PI), benzocyclobutenes (BCB) or other non-conductive materials except at the edge contacts. Each individual die is then singulated by sawing, breaking at the saw-streets or grinding or other dicing methods known in the art. The electrical connections of the die  101 ,  102 , or  103  to external devices are made through the edge contacts  109 . In an embodiment, the singulated die  101 ,  102 , or  103  is mounted on a printed circuit board with the land patterns created to correspond to the locations of via-holes on the board. 
       FIG. 2  shows a die  201  including bonding pads  206 , electrically conductive lines  208  and contacts  209 . In an embodiment, the pads  206  are flush with the top surface  211  of the die  201 . In an embodiment, the lines  208  are flush with the top surface  211  of the die  201 . In an embodiment, the top surface of the contacts  209  are flush with the top surface  211  of the die  201 . In an embodiment, the top surface of the contacts  209  are beneath the top surface  211  of the die  201 . In an embodiment, the contacts  209  extend outwardly from the side surface  212  of the die  201 . In an embodiment, contacts  209  are metal. In an embodiment, contacts  209  include tungsten. In an embodiment, contacts  209  include titanium. In an embodiment, the contacts  209  include a noble metal. In an embodiment, the contacts  209  include gold. In an embodiment, contacts  209  include a gold coating on another metal or metal alloy. In an embodiment, the contacts  209  include silver. In an embodiment, contacts  209  include a silver coating on another metal or metal alloy. The gold or silver coatings on contacts  209  are provided to improve the electrical connection between the contacts and external devices in which the die or chip  209  will be placed. In another embodiment, the chip  209  is enclosed, except for at least a portion of the contacts  209 , by an encapsulant. Encapsulants are known to those of ordinary skill in the art of integrated circuit packaging. 
     An embodiment for fabricating the die will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3D .  FIG. 3A  shows a partial view of a wafer  300 , which has undergone fabrication processing steps to form the desired integrated circuits on each die  301 ,  302 . The fabrication steps include masking, depositing, etching, and other steps as understood in the art. In the saw street  305 , a recess  315  is formed. In an embodiment, a recess  315  is formed in each saw street  305 . In an embodiment, a recess  315  is formed in each saw street  305  along the longitudinal (longest) length of a rectangular die. In an embodiment, the recess  315  is formed on other sides of the die. For example, on a rectangular or square die, recesses are formed on all four sides of the die. In an embodiment, recess  315  extends downwardly from the top surface  311  of wafer  300  about half the height of the wafer or die. The recess  315 , in an embodiment, is formed while forming integrated circuit structures in the dice. In an embodiment, recess  315  is etched into the wafer  300  after the circuits are formed in each die  301 ,  302 . In an embodiment, the recess  315  extends the entire length of the saw street  305 . Bond pads  306  are formed on the dice  301 ,  302  according to conventional processes. After the bond pads  306  are formed, the wafer top surface  311  is masked leaving open the area of the metal lines from bond pads  306  of one die  301  to bond pads  306  of the adjacent die  302 . It is within the scope of the various embodiments to use positive or negative resist mask. The mask, in an embodiment, leaves open a wider area adjacent the saw street  305  on the dice  301 ,  302  and in the recess  315 . The electrically conductive material for the lines  308  and the edge contacts  309  is deposited on the wafer  300 . The material forms the lines  308  and edge contacts  309  in the open areas of the mask. 
     The recesses  315  are formed according to various embodiments of the invention. The wafer  300 , e.g., dice  301 ,  302  and saw street  305 , is masked leaving openings aligned with the location of the edge contact  309 . Edge contact material, such as metal, is deposited in the opening to form the edge contact  309 . In an embodiment, the mask and edge contact material on the mask is removed from the wafer  300 . In an embodiment, the lines  308  are formed to connect the edge contact to at least one of the bond pads  306  of the adjacent dice  301 ,  302 . 
     After the formation of the lines  308  of each die  301 ,  302 , which lines are connected at edge contacts  309 , the wafer  300  receives a passivation layer  320 . In an embodiment, passivation layer  320  is deposited according to conventional techniques. Passivation layer  320  covers the entire wafer except over the edge contacts  309 . In an embodiment, passivation layer  320  does not cover the saw street  305 . In an embodiment, passivation layer  320  includes inorganic polymers. In an embodiment, passivation layer  320  includes benzocyclobutenes (BCB). In an embodiment, passivation layer  320  includes polymides (PI). In an embodiment, passivation layer  320  includes at least one of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride. In an embodiment, passivation layer  320  includes organic polymers. 
     A cutter  325  is aligned with the saw street  305 , and, in particular, with edge contact  309  ( FIG. 3B ). Cutter  325  cuts a center portion of the contact  309  to create edge contacts  309   1  and  309   2 . Edge contact  309   1  is on the peripheral edge surface of the first die  301 . Edge contact  309   2  is on the peripheral edge surface of the second die  302 . In an embodiment, cutter  325  only cuts the contact  309 , thus creating a scribe in the wafer  300  along saw street  305 . Adjacent wafers  301 ,  302  can be separated along the scribe by using a scribe and break technique. Referring to  FIG. 3C , the cutter  326  completely cuts through the wafer  300  along the saw street  305 . In an embodiment, at least one of cutters  325 ,  326  is a saw. In an embodiment, both of cutters  325 ,  326  are saws. In an embodiment, at least one of cutters  325 ,  326  is a laser. After the dice  301 ,  302  are separated, each die  301 ,  302  includes edge contacts  309   1 ,  309   2  at peripheral surfaces of the die. Accordingly, the dice  301 ,  302  have a height equal to the die or wafer height and the edge contacts  309  do not add to the height of the separated dice. 
     Once the dice  301 ,  302  are separated each is individually packaged in an encapsulant  340 . The encapsulant  340  surrounds the dice  301 ,  302  except for at least part of the edge contacts  309 . Thus, the encapsulant  340  protects the dice  301 ,  302  from an operating environment while the edge contacts  309  provide input and output signals to the circuits internal to the packaged die  301 ,  302 . 
       FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C are cross sectional views of two dice  401 ,  402  according to an embodiment of the invention. Wafer  400  includes a plurality of dice  401 ,  402 . Each die  401 ,  402  includes circuits, such as integrated circuits, fabricated according to conventional processes. The circuits require communication to external circuits such as a buss, mother boards, and other electronic devices. Consequently, each die  401 ,  402  includes a bond pad  406 . Wafer  400  further includes saw streets  405  dividing the dice  401 ,  402  whereat the dice are separated. A recess  415  is formed in the saw street  405  that is intermediate the dice  401 ,  402 . For example, a mask layer  431  is formed over the wafer  400  except where the edge contact  409  is to be positioned. The mask layer  431  is formed according to techniques known to one of skill in the art. The electrically conductive material of the edge contact  409  is deposited into the recess. The conductive material of edge contact  409 , in an embodiment, is sputtered onto the wafer. In an embodiment, the conductive material of the edge contact  409  is deposited by chemical vapor deposition. In an embodiment, the conductive material of the edge contact  409  is deposited by evaporation sources. In an embodiment, the conductive material of the edge contact  409  is deposited by electron gun evaporation. In an embodiment, the edge contacts  409  are formed after lines  408  are formed. 
     After formation of the unitary edge contact  409  in the form of a solid plug of electrically conductive material in the saw street recess  415 , a second masking layer  432  is formed over the wafer  400 . Masking layer  432  extends a distance over the sides of the contact  409 . The width of the extension of the masking layer  432  over the contact  409  is essentially equal to the width of the finished edge contacts  409   1  and  409   2  on the respective dice  401  and  402 . The unitary contact  409  is etched away where it is not covered by masking layer  432 . In an embodiment, contact  409  is etched down to the portion of the wafer  400  beneath the recess. In an embodiment, contact  409  is etched so that it has a U-shape. Thereafter, the masking layers  431 ,  432  are removed ( FIG. 4B ). The dice  401  and  402  are then separated or diced ( FIG. 4C ). The individual dice  401  and  402  are then packaged, e.g., for example coated with a encapsulant, except for at least part of the edge contacts  409 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment which includes the wafer  500  being diced into a plurality of dice  501 ,  502 . Each die  510 ,  502  includes bond pads  506  and electrical signal carrying lines  508 . The edge contacts  509  are connected to the lines  508 . The edge contacts  509  are formed according to various embodiments. The edge contacts  509 , in this embodiment, extend to the top surface of the passivation layer  520 . That is, the top surface of the edge contact  509  is essentially in the same plane as the top surface of the passivation layer. In an embodiment, the edge contacts  509  have a top surface that is essentially in the same plane as a top surface of the encapsulant encasing the die  501 . In an embodiment, the edge contacts  509  have a bottom surface that is essentially in the same plane as a bottom surface of the encapsulant encasing the die  501 . In an embodiment, the edge contacts  509  have a height greater than one-half the height of the peripheral edge surface of the die. In an embodiment, the edge contacts  509  extend along approximately 75% of the height of the peripheral surface of the die. 
       FIG. 6  shows top view of a singulated land grid array, and a packaged die  601 . Each of the edge contacts  609  are in electrical and physical contact with a contact pad  645 . The contact pads  645  extend under the main body of the packaged die  601 . In an embodiment, contact pads  645  extend outward of the main body of the packaged die  601 . Contact pads  645  act as contacts between the circuits external to the packaged die  601  and the die  601  through edge contacts  609 , lines  608  and bond pads  606 . Only one set of lines  608  and bond pads  606  are shown in  FIG. 6  for sake of clarity. It will be understood that each of the edge contacts  609  may be connected to a line  608 , which in turn is connected to a bonding pad  606 .  FIG. 6  further illustrates line  608  and pad  609  in broken line as they are covered by an encapsulation layer that surrounds the die per se and protects the internal circuits from the environment, e.g., dirt, debris, moisture and the like. 
     An electrical device  650  includes a socket, slot, recess or the like  652  which includes device contacts  653 . The packaged die  601  is adapted to be received in the socket  652 , wherein the contact pads  645  engage contacts  653 . The contacts  653  are electrically connect with communication lines connected to external circuits of the electrical device  650 . Electrical device  650  includes mother boards, computers, consumer electronics, printed circuit boards, and the like. The contact pads  645 , in an embodiment, press fit against the device contacts  653  to hold the die  601  in the socket  652 . In an embodiment, the edge contacts  609  directly contact device contacts  653 . 
     An embodiment of the invention includes fixing contact pads  645  to a substrate (not shown). The substrate is fixed to the bottom of the die. Encapsulant and substrate encase the die to protect it from the environment. Contact pads  645  and edge contacts  609  are electrically conductive. In an embodiment, pads  645  and contacts  609  are made of a metal. In an embodiment, at least one of contacts  609  and pads  645  include a metal alloy. In an embodiment, pads  645  include copper. In an embodiment, pads  645  include a noble metal. In an embodiment, pads  645  include gold. In an embodiment, pads  645  include silver. The encapsulant, in an embodiment, encases the die without a substrate. 
     Circuit Modules 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , two or more dice  701  may be combined, with or without protective casing, into a circuit module  700  to enhance or extend the functionality of an individual die  701 . Circuit module  700  may be a combination of dice  701  representing a variety of functions, or a combination of dice  701  containing the same functionality. In an embodiment, circuit module  700  includes at least one socket, slot, recess or the like  752  into which the die  701  is received. One or more dice  701  of circuit module  700  include I/O structures in accordance with various embodiments of the invention and/or are fabricated in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. In an embodiment, dice  701  are inserted into a slot  752  in a circuit board  750  such that the contacts  209 ,  309 ,  509 , or  609  are in electrical communication with the contacts in the slot  752 . In an embodiment, contacts  209 ,  309 ,  509 , or  609  are in physical contact with contacts in the slot  752 . In an embodiment, the contacts  209 ,  309 ,  509 , or  609  are press fit into the slot  752  against the contacts of the slot. 
     Numeral  752  in  FIG. 7 , in another embodiment, represents a mount including land patterns whereat the contacts are mounted. The mounting process includes an SMT process. For example, circuit module  700  is a printed circuit board having land patterns on which solder paste is applied, e.g., by printing the solder paste. A die  701  is picked and placed at the mount with the die contacts  209 ,  309 ,  509 , or  609  aligned with the paste covered contacts of the mount. Either the die contacts or the mount contacts are reflowed to create a physical and electrical connection. 
     Some examples of a circuit module include memory modules, device drivers, power modules, communication modems, processor modules and application-specific modules, and may include multilayer, multichip modules. Such modules will have a chip receiver in which a chip is inserted. Circuit module  700  may be a subcomponent of a variety of electronic systems, such as a clock, a television, a cell phone, a personal computer, an automobile, an industrial control system, an aircraft and others. Such modules will have a circuit module receiver in which a circuit module is inserted. Circuit module  700  will have a variety of leads  705   1  through  705   N  extending therefrom and coupled to the contacts  209 ,  309 ,  409 , or  509  of dice  701  providing unilateral or bilateral communication and control. 
       FIG. 8  shows one embodiment of a circuit module as memory module  800 . Memory module  800  contains multiple memory devices  801  contained on support  861 . In an embodiment, support  861  includes slots  852  for receiving memory devices  801  as described herein. The number of memory devices generally depends upon the desired bus width and the desire for parity. Memory devices  801  may include one or more dice in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The support  861  includes sockets, slots, recesses or the like  852 , each adapted to receive a memory device  801  and provide electrical communication between a bus and memory device  801 . Memory module  800  accepts a command signal from an external controller (not shown) on a command link  863  and provides for data input and data output on data links  865 . The command link  863  and data links  865  are connected to leads  867  extending from the support  815 . Leads  867  are shown for conceptual purposes and are not limited to the positions shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Electronic Systems 
       FIG. 9  shows one embodiment of an electronic system  900  containing one or more circuit modules  700 . At least one of the circuit modules  700  contains a die in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Electronic system  900  generally contains a user interface  969 . User interface  969  provides a user of the electronic system  900  with some form of control or observation of the results of the electronic system  900 . Some examples of user interface  969  include the keyboard, pointing device, monitor or printer of a personal computer; the tuning dial, display or speakers of a radio; the ignition switch, gauges or gas pedal of an automobile; and the card reader, keypad, display or currency dispenser of an automated teller machine. User interface  969  may further describe access ports provided to electronic system  900 . Access ports are used to connect an electronic system to the more tangible user interface components previously exemplified. One or more of the circuit modules  700  may be a processor providing some form of manipulation, control or direction of inputs from or outputs to user interface  969 , or of other information either preprogrammed into, or otherwise provided to, electronic system  900 . In an embodiment, electronic system  900  includes memory modules  800 . As will be apparent from the lists of examples previously given, electronic system  900  will often be associated with certain mechanical components (not shown) in addition to circuit modules  700  and user interface  969 . It will be appreciated that the one or more circuit modules  700  in electronic system  900  can be replaced by a single integrated circuit. Furthermore, electronic system  900  may be a subcomponent of a larger electronic system. 
       FIG. 10  shows one embodiment of an electronic system as memory system  1000 . Memory system  1000  contains one or more memory modules  800  and a memory controller  1070 . At least one of the memory modules  800  includes a die in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Memory controller  1070  provides and controls a bidirectional interface between memory system  1000  and an external system bus  1072 . Memory system  1000  accepts a command signal from the external bus  1072  and relays it to the one or more memory modules  800  on a command link  1074 . Memory system  1000  provides for data input and data output between the one or more memory modules  800  and external system bus  1072  on data links  1076 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a further embodiment of an electronic system as a computer system  1100 . Computer system  1100  contains a processor  1101  and a memory system  1000  housed in a computer unit  1180 . In an embodiment, the memory system  1000  includes a die in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. In an embodiment, processor  1101  includes a die in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Computer system  1100  is but one example of an electronic system containing another electronic system, i.e., memory system  1000 , as a subcomponent. Computer system  1100  optionally contains user interface components. Depicted in  FIG. 11  are a keyboard  1181 , a pointing device  1183  such as a mouse, trackball, or joystick, a monitor  1185 , a printer  1187  and a bulk storage device  1189 . It will be appreciated that other components are often associated with computer system  1100  such as modems, device driver cards, additional storage devices, etc. These other components, in an embodiment, include a die in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. It will further be appreciated that the processor  1101  and memory system  1000  of computer system  1100  can be incorporated on a single integrated circuit. Such single package processing units reduce the communication time between the processor and the memory circuit. 
     CONCLUSION 
     It is desired to reduce the size of packaged components. This results in packaging material savings and increases throughput by reducing packaging times. Moreover, with the growing popularity of smaller electronic device the electronic components must be as small as possible. Some embodiments of the invention provide methods for producing a packaged die. In an embodiment, the cutter cuts along the saw street but does not cut all the way through the wafer. Thus, channels intermediate the dice are created. Edge contact material is deposited or patterned in the channels. The dice are diced. The dice will have edge contacts around the periphery of the die. Thus, the contacts do not add to the height of the die and/or package. Accordingly, some embodiments of the invention provide an extremely low profile package, i.e., the package thickness is essentially the same as the die thickness. Shorter length contacts may further provide superior signal integrity along with space savings. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Many adaptations of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, other integrated circuit processing equipment may be utilized in conjunction with various embodiments of the invention. For another example, other integrated circuit fabrication processes are adapted to produce the dice and chips according to some embodiments of the invention. It is manifestly intended that the various embodiments of this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.