Patent Abstract:
The present invention stacks packaged integrated circuits into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. The present invention can be used to advantage with packages of a variety of sizes and configurations ranging from larger packaged base elements having many dozens of contacts to smaller packages such as, for example, die-sized packages such as DSBGA. In a preferred embodiment devised in accordance with the present invention, a base element CSP integrated circuit and a support element CSP integrated circuit are aggregated through a flex circuit having at least two conductive layers that are patterned to selectively connect the two CSP elements. A portion of the flex circuit connected to the support element is folded over the base element to dispose the support element above the base element while reducing the overall footprint. The flex circuit provides a thermal and electrical connection path between the module and an application environment such as a printed wiring board (PWB).

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/136,890, filed May 2, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,940,729, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/005,581, filed Oct. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,992 B1, issued Jun. 10, 2003. U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,992 B1 is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to aggregating integrated circuits and, in particular, to stacking dissimilar integrated circuits. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of techniques are used to stack packaged integrated circuits. Some methods require special packages, while other techniques stack conventional packages. In some stacks, the leads of the packaged integrated circuits are used to create a stack, while in other systems, added structures such as rails provide all or part of the interconnection between packages. In still other techniques, flexible conductors with certain characteristics are used to selectively interconnect packaged integrated circuits. 
     One major package configuration employed during the past decade has encapsulated an integrated circuit (IC) in a plastic surround typically having a rectangular configuration. The enveloped integrated circuit is connected to the application environment through leads emergent from the edge periphery of the plastic encapsulation. Such “leaded packages” have been the constituent elements most commonly employed by techniques for stacking packaged integrated circuits. 
     Leaded packages play an important role in electronics, but efforts to miniaturize electronic components and assemblies have driven development of technologies that preserve circuit board surface area. Because leaded packages have leads emergent from peripheral sides of the package, leaded packages occupy more than a minimal amount of circuit board surface area. Consequently, alternatives to leaded packages have recently gained market share. 
     One family of alternative packages is identified generally by the term “chip scale packaging” or CSP. These differ from leaded packages in that the CSP packages provide connection to an integrated circuit through a set of contacts (often embodied as “bumps,” “spheres,” or “balls”) arrayed across a major surface of the package. Instead of leads emergent from a peripheral side of the package, contacts are placed on a major surface and typically emerge from the planar bottom surface of the package. 
     The goal of CSP is to occupy as little area as possible and, preferably, approximately the area of the encapsulated IC. Therefore, CSP contacts do not typically extend beyond the outline perimeter of the package. The absence of “leads” on package sides renders most stacking techniques devised for leaded packages inapplicable for CSP stacking. 
     CSP has enabled reductions in size and weight parameters for many applications. CSP is a broad category that can include a variety of packages from larger than chip scale to die-sized packages such as the die-sized ball grid array (DSBGA) described in proposed JEDEC standard 95-1 for DSBGA. 
     To meet the continuing demands for cost and form factor reduction with increasing memory capacities, CSP technologies that aggregate integrated circuits in CSP technology have recently been developed. For example, Sharp, Hitachi, Mitsubishi and Intel recently undertook support of what are called the S-CSP specifications for flash and SRAM applications. Those S-CSP specifications describe, however, stacking multiple die within a single chip scale package and do not provide a technology for stacking chip scale packages. Stacking integrated circuits within a single package requires specialized technology that includes reformulation of package internals and significant expense with possible supply chain vulnerabilities. 
     There are several known techniques for stacking packages articulated in chip scale technology. The assignee of the present invention has developed previous systems for aggregating FBGA packages in space saving topologies. The assignee of the present invention has systems for stacking BGA packages on a DIMM in a RAMBUS environment. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,654 B1, owned by the assignee of the present invention, a system for stacking ball grid array packages that employs lead carriers to extend connectable points out from the packages is described. Other known techniques add structures to a stack of BGA-packaged ICs. Still others aggregate CSPs on a DIMM with angular placement of the packages. Such techniques provide alternatives, but require topologies of added cost and complexity. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,895 Bi to Forthun (the “Forthun patent”) purports to disclose a technique for stacking chip scale packaged ICs. The Forthun patent discloses a “package” that exhibits a flex circuit wrapped partially about a CSP. The flex circuit is said to have pad arrays on upper and lower surfaces of the flex. 
     The flex circuit of the Forthun “package” has a pad array on its upper surface and a pad array centrally located upon its lower surface. On the lower surface of the flex there are third and fourth arrays on opposite sides from the central lower surface pad array. To create the package of Forthun, a CSP contacts the pad array located on the upper surface of the flex circuit. As described in the Forthun patent, the contacts on the lower surface of the CSP are pushed through “slits” in the upper surface pads and advanced through the flex to protrude from the pads of the lower surface array and, therefore, the bottom surface of the package. Thus, the contacts of the CSP serve as the contacts for the package. The sides of the flex are partially wrapped about the CSP to adjacently place the third and fourth pad arrays above the upper major surface of the CSP to create from the combination of the third and fourth pad arrays, a fifth pad array for connection to another such package. Thus, as described in the Forthun disclosure, a stacked module of CSPs created with the described packages will exhibit a flex circuit wrapped about each CSP in the module. 
     Most previous known methods for stacking aggregate similarly packaged integrated circuits. What is needed are methods and structures for stacking dissimilar packages and circuits in thermally efficient, reliable structures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention stacks packaged integrated circuits into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. The invention provides techniques and structures for aggregating chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) or leaded packages with other CSPs or with monolithic or stacked leaded packages into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. The present invention can be used to advantage with CSP or leaded packages of a variety of sizes and configurations ranging from larger packaged base elements having many dozens of contacts to smaller packages such as, for example, die-sized packages such as DSBGA. Although the present invention is applied most frequently to packages that contain one die, it may be employed with packages that include more than one integrated circuit die. 
     In a preferred embodiment devised in accordance with the present invention, a base element IC and a support element IC are aggregated through a flex circuit having two conductive layers that are patterned to selectively connect the two IC elements. Simpler embodiments may use a one conductive layer flex. A portion of the flex circuit connected to the support element is folded over the base element to dispose the support element above the base element while reducing the overall footprint occupied by the two ICs. The flex circuit connects the ICs and provides a thermal and electrical connection path between the module and an application environment such as a printed wiring board (PWB). 
     The present invention may be employed to advantage in numerous configurations and combinations in modules provided for high-density memories, high capacity computing, or particular applications where small size is valued. 
    
    
     
       SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of module  10  devised in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of module  10  devised in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of module  10  devised in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of module  10  devised in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of module  10  devised in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of module  10  devised in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is still another view of an alternative embodiment devised in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts, in enlarged view, the area marked “A” in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged detail of an exemplar connection in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment devised in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged depiction of a part of the view of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  depicts, in enlarged view, the area marked “B” in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  depicts in enlarged view, an alternative connection strategy between constituent elements of the module and a flex in a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged depiction of an exemplar area around a base flex contact in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  depicts an exemplar first conductive layer of a flex employed in a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  depicts an exemplar second conductive layer of a flex employed in a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevation view of module  10  devised in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  depicts a three-element preferred embodiment of the invention. The invention may, however, be employed with greater or fewer than three IC elements. Module  10  is comprised of a base element  12  and support elements  14  and  16 . In the depicted embodiment, base element  12  and support elements  14  and  16  are shown as CSP devices, but the invention is not limited to arrangements of CSPs and may be employed to aggregate a variety of package types. Base element  12  and support elements  14  and  16  each have, in the depicted embodiment, upper surfaces  18  and lower surfaces  20  and peripheral or lateral sides  22 . Lateral sides  22  may be in the character of sides or may, if the CSP is especially thin, be in the character of an edge. For example, in addition to the well known leaded and CSP packages, the present invention may be employed with packaged ICs that do not exhibit what would be considered a lateral side  22  such as, for example, die that are packaged to have edge-wise protective layers or coatings and a connective structure across the bottom surface of the die while leaving uncovered the upper surface of the die. Such packages are employed in DRAM circuitry and may be aggregated using the present invention. 
     The invention is employed to advantage with a variety of combinations of packages including leaded and CSP and other configurations of packaged ICs. CSPs of a variety of types and configurations such as, for example, those that are larger than die-sized, as well those that are at or near die size as well as the variety of ball grid array packages known in the art may be employed to advantage by the invention. Collectively, these will be known herein as chip scale packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) and some preferred embodiments will be described in terms of CSPs, but the particular configurations used in the explanatory figures are not, however, to be construed as limiting. For example, the elevation view of  FIG. 1  is depicted with CSPs of a particular profile, but it should be understood that the figures are exemplary only. Later figures show embodiments of the invention that employ CSPs of other configurations aggregated with leaded packages as an example of some of the many alternative IC package configurations and combinations with which the invention may be employed. The system of the invention may also be employed with leaded packages while the module itself presents an array of bumps or balls to the application environment. 
     The invention may be employed to advantage with many of the wide range of CSP and leaded package configurations available in the art. One preferred embodiment of the invention employs a CSP microprocessor as base element  12  and memory circuits packaged in a variety of configurations as support elements  14  and  16 , but those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention may be employed to advantage with logic and computing circuits where reduction of PWB or other board surface area consumption is desired. 
     Typical CSPs, such as, for example, ball-grid-array (“BGA”), micro-ball-grid array, and fine-pitch ball grid array (“FBGA”) packages have an array of connective contacts embodied, for example, as bumps, solder balls, or balls that extend from lower surface  20  of a plastic casing in any of several patterns and pitches. An external portion of the connective contacts is often finished with a ball of solder. Shown in  FIG. 1  are CSP contacts  26  along lower surfaces  20  of elements  12 ,  14 , and  16 . Contact with the integrated circuit within the respective packages is provided by CSP contacts  26 . 
       FIG. 1  depicts base element  12  and support elements  14  and  16  in a stacked disposition with upper major surfaces of the constituent elements being proximally located in this back to back configuration. Between upper sides  18  of support elements  14  and  16  and upper side  18  of base element  12  is shown adhesive layer  25  shown in exaggerated scale for clarity of depiction. CSP contacts  26  are emergent from lower side  20  of base element  12  and support elements  14  and  16 . Module contacts  28  are shown depicted along the bottom of module  10  and provide connection for the module to a PWB or PCB or other mounting site. 
     In  FIG. 1 , flex circuit (“flex”, “flex circuit”, “flexible circuit structure”)  30  is shown partially wrapped about base element  12  and support elements  14  and  16 . Any flexible or conformable substrate with a multiple internal layer connectivity capability may be used as a flex circuit in the invention. Some embodiments may employ more than one flex. The entire flex circuit may be flexible or, as those of skill in the art will recognize, a PCB structure made flexible in certain areas to allow conformability in some areas and rigid in other areas for planarity along contact surfaces may be employed as an alternative flex circuit in the present invention. For example, structures known as rigid-flex may be employed. 
     Support elements  14  and  16  are preferably fixed to upper surface  18  of base element  12  by adhesive  25  which is shown as a tape adhesive, but may be a liquid adhesive or may be placed in discrete locations across the package. Preferably, adhesive  25  is thermally conductive. Adhesives that include a flux may be used to advantage in assembly of module  10 . Layer  25  may also be a thermally conductive medium to encourage heat flow between the elements of module  10 . Alternatively, a mechanical clamp or clamps may be used to hold the base and support elements together. Differing embodiments of the invention will place one or more support elements in a stacked disposition relative to a base element. The contacts for the module itself may be closer to either the base element or the support element(s) of the module although more typically and preferably, the module contacts will be closer to the base element. The support elements may also extend over the edges of the base element or may be disposed within the perimeter of the base element. 
     Flex circuit  30  is, in a preferred embodiment, a multi-layer flexible circuit structure that has at least two conductive layers. Other embodiments may employ, if the circuit is simple enough, a flex with one conductive layer. Preferably, the conductive layers are copper. The use of plural conductive layers provides connection advantages that simplify the interconnection schemes used to interconnect elements  12 ,  14  and  16 . Multiple conductive layers also provide the opportunity, when there is sufficient routing area available, to manage capacitance and inductance issues better than a single conductive layer. 
       FIG. 2  shows a module  10  devised in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates the aggregation of a leaded package device having leads  31  (i.e., as support element  16  in this embodiment) with base element  12  and support element  14 .  FIG. 2  further depicts the placement of flex  30  attached to the upper side of base element  12  with the placement of support elements  14  and  16  in a position relatively above flex  30  rather than below as earlier shown in  FIG. 1 . Flex  30  is preferably attached to upper side  18  of base element  12  with a thermally conductive adhesive depicted by reference  25  in  FIG. 2 . A conformal media  32  is indicated in  FIG. 2  as being placed between CSP contacts  26  to assist in creating conformality of structural areas of module  10 . Preferably, conformal media  32  is thermally conductive and is placed along the lower surface  20  of base element  12  although to preserve clarity of the view, its placement between only a few CSP contacts  26  of base element  12  is shown in the  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Shown are base element  12  and support element  14 . In the place of previously shown single package support element  16  is leaded stack  17 , consisting of upper IC  19  and lower IC  21 . In this embodiment, stack  17  is configured in conformity with a product of the assignee of the present invention but is intended to be an exemplar and not a limiting configuration.  FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a base element  12  is aggregated with a leaded support element  16 .  FIG. 5  depicts an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 5  is a back-to-back embodiment with base element  12  having mounted upon its upper side  18 , a support element  16  configured in CSP. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention that employs a CSP base element  12  and CSP support elements  14  and  16  interconnected with flex  30 . Heat sink  34  is disposed between base element  12  and support elements  14  and  16 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , heat sink  34  is in contact with a portion of casing  36  of an application in which module  10  is employed. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention employed to aggregate leaded packages. Depicted base element  12  is a leaded device while support element  16  is also a leaded device. 
       FIG. 8  depicts in enlarged view, the area marked “A” in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the connection between example CSP contacts  26  and module contacts  28  through flex  30 . A depicted preferred construction for flex  30  is shown in  FIG. 8  to be comprised of multiple layers. Flex  30  has a first outer surface  40  and a second outer surface  42 . Flex circuit  30  has at least two conductive layers interior to first and second outer surfaces  40  and  42 . There may be more than two conductive layers in flex  30 . Further, two flex circuits may supplant flex  30  with each wrapping about an opposite side of the assembly. In the depicted preferred embodiment, first conductive layer  44  is at the first conductive layer level of flex  30  while second conductive layer  48  is at the second conductive layer level of flex  30 . Typically, both conductive layers are interior to first and second outer surfaces  40  and  42 . Intermediate layer  46  lies between first conductive layer  44  and second conductive layer  48 . There may be more than one intermediate layer, but an intermediate layer of polyimide is preferred. Similar dielectric materials may be used. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8  and seen in more detail in later figures, base flex contact  54  is preferably comprised from metal at the level of second conductive layer  48  interior to second outer surface  42 . Base flex contact  54  is solid metal in a preferred embodiment and is preferably comprised of copper and suitable barrier metals or coatings as required. This results in a solid metal pathway from element  12  to an application board thereby providing a significant thermal pathway for dissipation of heat generated in module  10 . This depiction of base flex contact  54  illustrates the solid metal path from element  12  to module contact  28  and, therefore, to an application PWB to which module  10  is connectable. As those of skill in the art will understand, heat transference from module  10  is thereby encouraged. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 8 , CSP contact  26  and module contact  28  together offset module  10  from an application platform such as a PWB. The combined heights of CSP contact  26  and module contact  28  provide a moment arm longer than the height of a single CSP contact  26  alone. This provides a longer moment arm through which temperature-gradient-over-time stresses (such as typified by temp cycle), can be distributed and can be helpful particularly where element  12  contacts such as CSP contacts  26  become diminutive as a result of high density contact arrays resulting in small diameter CSP contacts. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged detail of an exemplar connection between example CSP contact  26  and example module contact  28  through base flex contact  54  to illustrate the solid metal path from element  12  to module contact  28  and, therefore, to an application PWB to which module  10  is connectable. As shown in  FIG. 9 , base flex contact  54  is at the level of second conductive layer  48  and is interior to first and second outer surface layers  40  and  42  respectively, of flex circuit  30 . Base flex contacts  54  need not be at the level of second conductive layer  48  and may be configured from first conductive layer  44  depending upon the routing demands of the interconnections specified between elements  12  and  14  or  12  and  14  and  16 . 
       FIG. 10  is an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. Depicted in  FIG. 10  are base element  12  and support elements  14  and  16  with all of the depicted ICs being packaged in CSP with support elements  14  and  16  extending beyond the physical boundaries of base element  12 . Also shown is extensive and preferred use of conformal underfill  32 .  FIG. 11  is an enlarged section of the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 10  and identifies an area “B” that will be further described in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates in enlarged perspective, detail of the area marked “B” in  FIG. 11  and illustrates an exemplar connection between example CSP contacts  26  of a support element and support flex contacts  56  of flex  30 . In this depiction, support flex contacts  56  are shown as being at the level of first conductive layer  44  of flex  30 .  FIG. 12  illustrates a via  58  between the support flex contact  56  in contact with the right-most depicted CSP contact  26  and second conductive layer  48 . The use of vias between conductive layer levels allows flexibility in strategies employed to connect base element  12  with support elements and allows, for example, the connection of a contact from support elements  14  or  16  to a selected module contact  28 . Often, support elements  14  and/or  16  will have signals that are not directly connected to base element  12 , but which have functionality relevant to the operation of entire module  10 . In such cases, a module contact  28  provides that signal connection to support element  14  or  16  without a corresponding direct connection to base element  12 . Such a connection strategy is shown in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged depiction of an exemplar area around a base flex contact  54  in a preferred embodiment. The depicted base contact  54  is shown being delineated at the level of second conductive layer  48 , but the many base element contacts  54  employed to provide connection to base element  12  may be located at the level of second conductive layer  48  or first conductive layer  44 . Although it is not preferable, different base element contacts  54  for the same base element  12  may be located at different conductive layers. That is, some connection strategies may specify that some of the CSP contacts  26  of base element  12  should be connected to flex  30  through base element contacts  54  located at the level of second conductive layer  48 , while at the same time, other CSP contacts  26  of base element  12  should be connected to flex  30  through base element contacts  54  located at the level of first conductive layer  44 . It is preferable, however, to have all the contacts of base element  12  contact flex  30  at the same conductive layer level of the flex. In the  FIG. 14  depiction of an example base contact  54 , however, windows  60  and  62  are opened in first and second outer surface layers  40  and  42  respectively, to provide access to a particular exemplar base flex contact  54  residing at the level of second conductive layer  48  in the flex. Base flex contact  54  as is shown in  FIG. 14  may be connected to or isolated from the conductive plane of second conductive layer  48 . Demarking a lower flex contact  54  from second conductive layer  48  is represented in  FIG. 14  by demarcation gap  63  shown at second conductive layer  48 . Where a base flex contact  54  or support flex contact  56  is not completely isolated from its conductive layer, demarcation gaps do not extend completely around the flex contact. 
     As shown by example in  FIG. 14 , CSP contacts  26  of base element  12  pass through a window  60  opened through first outer surface layer  40 , first conductive layer  44 , and intermediate layer  46 , to contact depicted base flex contact  54 . Window  62  is opened through second outer surface layer  42  through which module contacts  28  pass to contact base flex contact  54 . Where the base flex contact  54  to be contacted is at the level of first conductive layer  44 , window  62  passes through second outer surface layer  42  as well as second conductive layer  48  and intermediate layer  46  to reach the level of first conductive layer  44  where the appropriate base flex contact is located while window  60  would pass only through first outer surface layer  40 . As earlier shown in  FIG. 13 , there need not be a window  60  for every window  62  where a module contact  28  provides connection only to a support element. Similarly, there need not be a window  62  for every window  60  when there is no module contact  28  in physical proximity to a particular base element  12  CSP contact. Where base element  12  is a leaded package, pads connected by vias to appropriate conductive layers are employed with flex  30 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , module contacts  28  pass through windows  62  opened in second outer layer  42  to contact base flex contacts  54 . In those embodiments such as that shown in  FIG. 13  that show module  10  exhibiting an array of module contacts  28  having a greater number of module contacts  28  than the base element  12  exhibits in CSP or other contacts  26 , module  10  can express a wider interface for address, data, and control signals than that expressed by the constituent elements  12 ,  14  and  16 . Further, a module contact  28  may also be employed to convey separate enable signals through conductive layer levels to support elements  14  or  16  and thereby provide locations through which support elements  14  or  16  may be selectably enabled. 
     Depending upon the frequencies employed by the elements of module  10 , the dedication of one of the conductive layers of flex  30  to a particular functionality such as ground or power is typically not required for lower frequency applications. In other applications where higher speeds are encountered or where longer trace lengths beyond the critical length are employed, impedance controlling planes can be used or return paths (power or ground) can be routed next to such traces as a coplanar waveguide. 
       FIG. 15  depicts an abstraction of a typical routing employed in first conductive plane  44  by the assignee of the present invention in implementing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 15  illustrates an abstraction of the plot employed for the conductive areas of at the level of first conductive plane  44  for the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 10 . As those of skill will notice, in the plot shown in  FIG. 15 , the connective fields identified with references  64  provide connections for support element  14  while connective fields identified with references  66  provide connections for support element  16 . Connective field  68  provides connections for base element  12 . The connective fields  64  and  66  provide support flex contacts  56  as well as traces that, combined with vias  58 , provide part of the connective facility for interconnecting support elements  14  and  16  to base element  12 . The view is abstracted with many of the actual routing lines removed to assist in the clarity of the view. 
       FIG. 16  depicts an abstraction of a typical routing employed for conductive areas at the level of second conductive plane  48  by the assignee of the present invention in implementing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 16  illustrates an abstraction of the plot employed for the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
     In the area of  FIGS. 15 and 16  employed to connect base element  12 , there is illustrated an example of using vias  58  to more fully employ the two conductive layers of the preferred embodiments. Connective fields  65  and  67  indicate vias  58  as well as traces (that are not shown in the depiction for clarity of view) that provide part of the connective facility for interconnecting support elements  14  and  16  to base element  12 . 
     On the depiction of  FIG. 16 , there is found the identification of a base flex contact  54 . With reference to earlier  FIGS. 13 and 14 , base element  12  has a CSP contact  26  that passes through window  60  and therefore, first conductive layer  44  shown in  FIG. 15 , to contact the base flex contact  54  at the level of the second conductive layer as shown in  FIG. 16 . It should be understood that this is a heuristic explanation and meant to be merely an example illustrating a feature found in some preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     Base flex contact  54  at the level of second conductive layer  48  is connected to a via  58  by a trace  70 . Via  58  passes in a relatively upward direction toward the body of base element  12 . As via  58  passes upwardly through flex  30 , it contacts a conductive area at the level of first conductive layer  44  as shown in  FIG. 15  by the identification of via  58 . Via  58  is then connected to trace  72  that provides a connection network to a variety of other contacts in the depicted embodiment. For example, trace  72  branches to connect to another via  58  identified in the lower part of  FIG. 15 . Thus, the use of two conductive layers is given an added flexibility by the illustrated use of vias through an intermediate layer. 
     Vias that route through intermediate layer  46  to interconnect traces or flex contacts or conductive areas at different conductive layers may be “on-pad” or coincident with the support or base flex contact to which they are connected. Such vias may also be “off-pad” and located near windows associated with the flex contacts from which signals are to be conveyed to another conductive layer. This provides added flexibility to connection schemes and layout routing. Another explication of the use of on-pad and off-pad vias that is suitable for use in the present invention is provided in incorporated and pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/005,581, filed Oct. 26, 2001. Therein there is also found strategies for interconnection of elements using a multi-layer flex circuit that dedicates conductive layers to particular functions. Such a strategy may be used with the present invention where the simplicity of the interconnection allows. 
     As those of skill will recognize, the connection between conductive layers provided by vias (on or off pad) may be provided by any of several well-known techniques such as plated holes or solid lines or wires and need not literally be vias. 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in a variety of specific forms and that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiments are only illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7