Patent ID: 8664540

Claim:
A circuit structure comprising: an interposer free from active devices formed therein, wherein the interposer comprises: a substrate; an active through-substrate via (TSV) and a dummy TSV penetrating through the substrate; active metal connections electrically interconnecting the active TSV and the dummy TSV; a dummy pad configured to be used as a probe pad on a first surface of the substrate, wherein the dummy pad is electrically connected to the active metal connections; and a dummy solder bump on a second surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the active TSV and the active metal connections, wherein the dummy pad and the dummy solder bump are on opposite surfaces of the interposer; a first package component bonded to the first surface of the interposer; and a second package component bonded to the second surface of the interposer, wherein the dummy solder bump is between the interposer and the second package component, and is not electrically connected to conductive features inside the package component.