Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a surface-mount solder method and apparatus for improved decoupling capacitance.  
         BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       Description of Related Art  
         [0002]    Power delivery is a significant concern in the design and operation of a microelectronic device. Where the microelectronic device is a processor or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an adequate current delivery, a steady voltage, and an acceptable processor transient response are desirable characteristics of the overall microelectronic device package. One of the methods for responding to a processor transient is to place a high-performance capacitor as close to the processor as possible to shorten the transient response time. Although a large-capacity and high-performance capacitor is preferable to answer the processor transients, the capacitor is in competition for space in the immediate vicinity of the processor. This may involve making a cutout in a portion of a board or socket to make room for the capacitor. A cutout in a board is a factor for increasing overall package size, which is counter to the trend to miniaturize. A cutout is also a factor for increasing the loop inductance path for a package, which can have a negative impact on the performance of the microelectronic device.  
           [0003]    The loop inductance path is often a convoluted path that complicates the impedance of the package. FIG. 11 is a depiction of an existing system  10  including a substrate  12  and a top structure  24  that includes an electronic component  26 . A decoupling capacitor  30  is mounted upon the substrate  12 . A convoluted current path  64  can be traced between the capacitor  30 , the electronic component  26 , and back to the capacitor  30 . A convoluted path  64  or convoluted inductance loop is defined as a current that flows in a first pre-component direction  66  and in a substantially reverse, second pre-component direction  68 . “Pre-component” means that the current in this section of the current-convoluted current loop path  64  has not passed, either in whole or in part, through the component  26 , but it has reversed its flow direction. A convoluted path is also defined as a current that flows in a first post-component direction  70  and a substantially reverse, second post-component direction  72 . “Post-component” means that the current in this section of the convoluted current loop path  64  has not passed, either in whole or in party, through the component  26  but it likewise has reversed its flow direction. Such reversal of flow direction creates complicated inductance that is detrimental to performance. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    In order to understand the manner in which embodiments of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of various embodiments of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention that are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is an elevational cut-away of a system according to an embodiment;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is an elevational cut-away of another system according to an embodiment;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2A is a detail section of FIG. 2, taken along the line  2 A;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is an elevational cut-away of yet another system according to an embodiment;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a top plan of the substrate illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the section line  4 - 4 ;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is an alternative top plan of the substrate illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the section line  4 - 4 ;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5A is yet another alternative top plan of the substrate  112  depicted in FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is an elevational cut-away of another system according to an embodiment;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is an elevational cut-away of yet another system according to an embodiment;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is an elevational cut-away of still another system according to an embodiment;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 9 is an elevational cut-away of a further system according to an embodiment;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 10 is an elevational cut-away of yet a further system according to an embodiment;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 11 is an elevational cut-away of an existing system; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 12 is a method flow diagram according to an embodiment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    The following description includes terms, such as upper, lower, first, second, etc. that are used for descriptive purposes only and that are not to be construed as limiting. The embodiments of a device or article of the present invention described herein can be manufactured, used, or shipped in a number of positions and orientations. The terms “die” and “processor” generally refer to the physical object that is the basic workpiece that is transformed by various process operations into the desired integrated circuit device. A component is typically a packaged die made of semiconductive material that has been singulated from a wafer after integrated processing. Wafers may be made of semiconducting, non-semiconducting, or combinations of semiconducting and non-semiconducting materials.  
         [0020]    Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. In order to show the structures of embodiments of the present invention most clearly, the drawings included herein are diagrammatic representations of inventive articles. Thus, the actual appearance of the fabricated structures, for example in a photomicrograph, may appear different while still incorporating the essential structures of embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, the drawings show only the structures necessary to understand the embodiments of the present invention. Additional structures known in the art have not been included to maintain the clarity of the drawings.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is an elevational section of a system  110  according to an embodiment. The system  110  relates to a decoupling capacitor system. The system  110  includes a substrate  112 , and an electrical first bump  114  that is adhered to a substrate first pad  116 .  
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the substrate  112  is a motherboard for a digital computer, an electronic apparatus, or the like. In another embodiment, the substrate  112  is a main board for a specialized device such as a hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) or the like. In one embodiment, the substrate  112  is a board for a wireless device or the like.  
         [0023]    The electrical first bump  114  is typically a high melting-point solder that includes a top end  118  and a bottom end  120 . Adhesion of the electrical first bump  114  to the substrate first pad  116  is by a low melting-point solder  122 . Both the electrical first bump  114  and the low melting-point solder  122  may be a Pb-containing solder or a substantially Pb-free solder. By “substantially Pb-free solder” it is meant that the solder is not designed with Pb content according to industry trends. One example of a Pb-containing solder includes a tin-lead solder. In selected embodiments, Pb-containing solder is a tin-lead solder composition such as from Sn97Pb. One tin-lead solder composition that may be used with a top structure  124  that is to be mounted over the substrate is a Sn37Pb composition. In any event, the Pb-containing solder may be a tin-lead solder comprising Sn x Pb y , wherein x+y total 1, and wherein x is in a range from about 0.3 to about 0.99. In one embodiment, the Pb-containing solder for the electrical first bump  114  is a tin-lead solder composition of Sn97Pb, and the lower melting-point solder  122  is a tin-lead solder composition of Sn37Pb.  
         [0024]    A top structure  124  is disposed at the top end  118  of the electrical first bump  114 . In one embodiment, the top structure  124  includes an electronic component  126  such as a processor, an ASIC, or the like. In one embodiment, the top structure  124  includes a power socket  128  that carries an electronic component  126 . In one embodiment, the top structure  124  includes an interposer (also represented generally as item  128 ) that may make connection with an electronic component and/or a power socket. In one embodiment, the top structure  124  includes a combination of at least two of an electronic component, a power socket, and an interposer. Alternatively, the top structure  124  is a packaged electronic component without a power socket or the like, or without an interposer or the like, or without either.  
         [0025]    A decoupling capacitor  130  is disposed above the substrate  112  and is substantially contiguous to the electrical first bump  114 . The capacitor  130  includes a power or Vcc terminal  132  and a ground or Vss terminal  134 . By “substantially contiguous” it is meant that the capacitor  130  and the electrical first bump  114  are electrically touching at or near the power terminal  132 . In another embodiment, “substantially contiguous” means that there is no structure laterally closer to the electrical first bump  114  than the power terminal  132  of the capacitor  130 . In yet another embodiment, “substantially contiguous” means that the decoupling capacitor is placed proximate the electrical first bump  114 , within about one lateral diameter (in the X-dimension) of the electrical first bump  114 .  
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the capacitor  130  is placed beneath the electronic component  126  and is substantially centered along a symmetry line  136  that bisects the electronic component  126  in the X-dimension. More particularly, the capacitor  130  is disposed between the electrical first bump  114  and an electrical second bump  138  that is substantially contiguous to the ground terminal  134 . The electrical second bump  138  is adhered to a substrate second pad  140 . Like the electrical first bump  114 , the electrical second bump  138  is typically a high melting-point solder that includes a top end  142  and a bottom end  144 . Adhesion of the electrical second bump  138  to the substrate second pad  140  is by the low melting-point solder  122 .  
         [0027]    The electrical first bump  114  includes a first characteristic vertical dimension (in the Z-dimension) that originates at or near the substrate first pad  116  and that terminates near the top structure  124 . The electrical second bump  138  includes a second characteristic vertical dimension that is substantially equal to the first characteristic vertical dimension of the electrical first bump  114 . The capacitor  130  includes a third characteristic vertical dimension that originates at or near the substrate first pad  116  and that terminates below the top structure  124 . In one embodiment, the capacitor  130  is provided in parallel with at least one other capacitor (not pictured, but either above or below the plane of FIG. 1) with relation to the electronic component  126 .  
         [0028]    Other electrical bumps  146  and  148  are depicted in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the other electrical bumps  146  and  148  are additional power and ground contacts for the electronic component  126 . In an embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, a power plane  150  and a ground plane  152  are depicted within the substrate  112 . The other electrical bumps  146  and  148  are not depicted as connected to the power plane  150  or the ground plane  152  and are consequently for data and control signaling to the electronic component  126 .  
         [0029]    A simplified electrical path is depicted in FIG. 1. Current at a given potential (Vcc) passes from the power plane  150  into the electrical first bump  114 . Under proper transient conditions caused by a transient load in the electronic component  126 , the power also passes through the power terminal  132  of the capacitor  130  and continues through a loop-turnaround sub-path  154  (generically depicted) that supplies power to the electronic component  126 . Thereafter, a ground current passes from the loop-turnaround sub-path  154  into the electrical second bump  138  and the ground terminal  134  of the capacitor  130 .  
         [0030]    This simplified path has various characteristics. One characteristic is that the current loop can be shorter than the conventional, on the order of up to about 15 times shorter. In another embodiment, the current loop is shorter than the conventional, on the order of up to about 40 times shorter. Another characteristic is that no additional conductive material is needed in the substrate  112  compared to its need in conventional applications. Another characteristic is that the DC path and the AC path are identical.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 depicts the electrical first bump  114  and the electrical second bump  138  as having an oblong shape that gives each bump an aspect ratio (height:width) of greater than one. In one embodiment, the standoff  156 , the measure of clearance between the substrate  112  and the top structure  124 , is increased by having electrical bumps with an aspect ratio of greater than one, although the aspect ratio may be substantially equal to one. Where a high-performance capacitor is selected, it may have a third characteristic vertical dimension that is less than the first characteristic vertical dimension of the electrical first bump  114 .  
         [0032]    The standoff  156  is illustrated as being achieved due to the aspect ratio of the electrical first bump  114  and the electrical second bump  138 . Although a high melting point solder is depicted at each electrical coupling in FIG. 1 (as well as FIGS.  2 - 3 , and  6 - 10 ), it is noted that in one embodiment, not all electrical couplings have the high melting-point solder. In one embodiment, at least one electrical coupling that includes a capacitor (such as capacitor  130  in FIG. 1) does not include a high melting-point solder. In another embodiment, only perimeter electrical couplings include a high melting-point solder. In another embodiment, interspersed electrical couplings, such as grouped or alternating electrical couplings include a high melting-point solder. By way of non-limiting example for this embodiment, an alternating distribution of the high melting-point solder is distributed around the perimeter of a substrate such as substrate  112 . In another embodiment, at least one electrical coupling that is adjacent a capacitor (such as the electrical bumps  146  and  148  in FIG. 1) has the high melting-point solder and the electrical couplings that touch the capacitor  130  do not. In another embodiment, the high melting-point solder is distributed to selected electrical couplings that amount to less than the total thereof, according to a specific application that allows the standoff  156  to be maintained. In another embodiment a fraction of the capacitor-sharing electrical couplings have the high melting-point solder. As depicted in the figures, one embodiment includes the high melting-point solder at each electrical coupling.  
         [0033]    In a general embodiment, the choice to mount the decoupling capacitor upon the substrate or on the top structure is influenced, among other reasons, by transient time response, di/dt, heat expansion disparities between the capacitor structure and the structure it is mounted upon, and combinations thereof.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 2 is an elevational section of another system  210  according to an embodiment. The decoupling capacitor system  210  illustrated in FIG. 2 is similar to the decoupling capacitor system  110  depicted in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, a capacitor  230  is disposed upon the top structure  224  instead of on the substrate  212 . This places the capacitor  230  even closer to the electronic component  226 , where sufficient standoff  256  allows.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2A is a detail section of FIG. 2, taken along the line  2 A. FIG. 2A depicts an alternative embodiment. In contrast to the capacitor  230  in FIG. 2, the capacitor  230  in FIG. 2A has been mounted in the solder  222  with a capacitor standoff  231  such that the capacitor  230  is not in direct contact with the socket  228  against the underside. The capacitor standoff  231  allows for more thermal expansion differences because the capacitor  230  is substantially suspended in the softer solder  222 . Similar to the structure depicted in FIG. 1, the structure includes a substrate  112 , an electrical first bump  214 . Adhesion of the electrical first bump  214  to a substrate first pad  216  is by a low melting-point solder  222 . A top structure  224  includes a power socket  228  that carries an electronic component (not pictured). The decoupling capacitor  230  is disposed above the substrate  212  and is substantially contiguous to the electrical first bump  214 . The capacitor  230  includes a power or Vcc terminal  232  and a ground or Vss terminal  234 . By “substantially contiguous” it is meant that the capacitor  230  and the electrical first bump  214  are electrically coupled at or near the power terminal  232 . An electrical second bump  238  is coupled to the Vss terminal  234  through the solder  222 .  
         [0036]    By disclosure of this embodiment with the capacitor standoff  231 , it is noted that this embodiment is an alternative embodiment for each structure depicted in this disclosure.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 is an elevational cut-away of yet another system  310  according to an embodiment. The decoupling capacitor system  310  illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to the decoupling capacitor system  110  depicted in FIG. 1 and to the decoupling capacitor system  210  depicted in FIG. 2. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a capacitor  330  is disposed both upon the substrate  312  and upon the top structure  324 . In comparison to the capacitors depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the capacitor  230  has a larger discharge volume, but may have a slower response time to a transient, di/dt, of the component  326 . In one embodiment, the capacitor  330  is limited in its characteristic vertical dimension by the standoff  356  of the decoupling capacitor system  310 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 is a top plan of the substrate  112  depicted in FIG. 1, taken along the section line  4 - 4 . The view along the section line  4 - 4  in FIG. 1 is seen at the section line A-A′ in FIG. 4. The substrate  112  includes the substrate first pad  116  that makes contact with the electrical first bump  114  (refer to FIG. 1), and it includes the substrate second pad  140  that makes contact with the electrical second bump  138  (refer to FIG. 1). It is noted that the perimeters of the substrate first pad  116  that and the substrate second pad  140  have been configured to accommodate the substantially rounded shape of the bump at one end, and the substantially rectangular shape of the capacitor at the opposite end.  
         [0039]    Still referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of data/control pads  158  are additionally depicted. FIG. 4 illustrates the footprint of the capacitor  130  by a dashed-line perimeter. FIG. 4 illustrates another capacitor footprint  130 ′ by a dashed-line perimeter. The capacitor  130 ′ would appear in FIG. 1 below the plane of the figure. As illustrated, the substrate first pad  116  accommodates both the electrical first bump  114  (refer to FIG. 1) and the power terminal  132  (refer to FIG. 1) of the capacitor  130 . Accordingly there exists an article embodiment that includes the substrate first pad  116  (coupled to Vcc) that includes a first region that has a shape or footprint characteristic of the electrical first bump  114  (coupled to Vcc), and a second region that has a shape or footprint characteristic of the power terminal  132 .  
         [0040]    In one embodiment, it is preferable to tie together a plurality of Vcc sources as pads, and to tie together a plurality of Vss sources as pads, as will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 5.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 is an alternative top plan of the substrate  112  depicted in FIG. 1, taken along the section line  4 - 4 . The view of the substrate  112  in FIG. 5 is similar to the view of the substrate  112  in FIG. 3. The view along the section line  4 - 4  in FIG. 1 is seen at the section line B-B′ as seen in FIG. 5. The substrate  112  includes the substrate first pad  116  that makes contact with the electrical first bump  114  (refer to FIG. 1), and it includes the substrate second pad  140  that makes contact with the electrical second bump  138  (refer to FIG. 1). Still referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of data/control pads  158  are additionally depicted. FIG. 5 illustrates the footprint of the capacitor  130  by a dashed-line perimeter. FIG. 5 illustrates another capacitor footprint  130 ′ by a dashed-line perimeter. The capacitor  130 ′ would appear in FIG. 1 below the plane of the figure. As illustrated, the substrate first pad  116  accommodates both the electrical first bump  114  (refer to FIG. 1) and the power terminal  132  (refer to FIG. 1) of the capacitor  130 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5A is yet another alternative top plan of the substrate  112  depicted in FIG. 1, taken along the section line  4 - 4 . The view of the substrate  112  in FIG. 5A is a close-up of the substrate first pad  116  that makes contact with the electrical first bump  114  (refer to FIG. 1), and it includes the substrate second pad  140  that makes contact with the electrical second bump  138  (refer to FIG. 1), although the shapes thereof can be different. FIG. 5A illustrates the footprint of the capacitor  130  by a dashed-line perimeter. FIG. 5A illustrates another capacitor footprint  130 ′ by a dashed-line perimeter. The capacitor  130 ′ would appear in FIG. 1 below the plane of the figure. FIG. 5A illustrates another capacitor footprint  130 ″ by a dashed-line perimeter. The capacitor  130 ″ would appear in FIG. 1 below the plane of the figure. As illustrated, the substrate first pad  116  accommodates both the electrical first bump  114  (refer to FIG. 1) and the power terminal  132  (refer to FIG. 1) of the capacitor  130 .  
         [0043]    In one embodiment, several capacitors are deployed along the X-dimension between the substrate and the top structure in order to service the electronic component, as will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 6.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 6 is an elevational section of another system  610  according to an embodiment. The system  610  relates to a decoupling capacitor system. The system  610  includes a substrate  612 , and an electrical first bump  614  that is adhered to a substrate first pad  616 .  
         [0045]    In one embodiment, the substrate  612  is a motherboard for a digital computer, an electronic apparatus, or the like. In another embodiment, the substrate  612  is a main board for a specialized device such as a hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) or the like. In one embodiment, the substrate  612  is a board for a wireless device or the like.  
         [0046]    The electrical first bump  614  is typically a high melting-point solder that includes a top end  618  and a bottom end  620 . Adhesion of the electrical first bump  614  to the substrate first pad  616  is by a low melting-point solder  622 . Both the electrical first bump  614  and the solder may be a Pb-containing solder or a substantially Pb-free solder.  
         [0047]    A top structure  624  is disposed at the top end  618  of the electrical first bump  614 . In one embodiment, the top structure  624  includes an electronic component  626  such as a processor, an ASIC, or the like. In one embodiment, the top structure  624  includes a power socket  628  that carries an electronic component  626 . In one embodiment, the top structure  624  includes an interposer (also represented generally as item  628 ) that may make connection with an electronic component and/or a power socket. In one embodiment, the top structure  624  includes a combination of at least two of an electronic component, a power socket, and an interposer. Alternatively, the top structure  624  is a packaged electronic component without a power socket or the like, or without an interposer or the like, or without either.  
         [0048]    A first capacitor  630 A is disposed above the substrate  612  and is substantially contiguous to the electrical first bump  614 . The capacitor  630 A includes a power or Vcc terminal  632 A and a ground or Vss terminal  634 A. By “substantially contiguous” it is meant that the capacitor  630 A and the electrical first bump  614  are electrically touching at the power terminal  632 A. In another embodiment “substantially contiguous” means that there is no structure closer to the electrical first bump  614  than the power terminal  632 A of the capacitor  630 A. In another embodiment “substantially contiguous” means that the capacitor is placed proximate to the electrical first bump, within about one lateral diameter (in the X-dimension) of the electrical first bump.  
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the capacitor  630 A is one of a plurality of capacitors  630 A,  630 B, and  630 C that are arrayed beneath the electronic component  626 , and the array is substantially centered along a symmetry line  636  that bisects the electronic component  626  in the X-dimension. In this embodiment, where three capacitors  630 A,  630 B, and  630 C are arrayed beneath the electronic component  626 , the capacitor  630 B is bisected by the symmetry line  636 , and the capacitors  630 A and  630 C are spaced apart opposite each other from the symmetry line  636 .  
         [0050]    The capacitor  630 A is disposed between the electrical first bump  614  and an electrical second bump  638  that is substantially contiguous to the ground terminal  634 A. The electrical second bump  638  is adhered to a substrate second pad  640 . Like the electrical first bump  614 , the electrical second bump  638  is typically a high melting-point solder that includes a top end  642  and a bottom end  644 . Adhesion of the electrical second bump  638  to the substrate second pad  640  is by the low melting-point solder  622 .  
         [0051]    The electrical first bump  614  includes a first characteristic vertical dimension (in the Z-dimension) that originates at or near the substrate first pad  616  and that terminates near the top structure  624 . The electrical second bump  638  includes a second characteristic vertical dimension that is substantially equal to the first characteristic vertical dimension of the electrical first bump  614 . The capacitors  630 A,  630 B, and  630 C include a third characteristic vertical dimension that originates at or near the substrate first pad  616  and that terminates below the top structure  624 . In one embodiment, the capacitors  630 A,  630 B, and  630 C are provided in parallel with relation to the electronic component  626 . Further, in one embodiment, other capacitors are deployed either above or below the plane of the figure, or both.  
         [0052]    Other electrical bumps  646 ,  648 ,  660 , and  662  are depicted in FIG. 6. The electrical bumps  660  and  662  represent electrical third and fourth bumps, respectively, in relation to the electrical first bump  614  and the electrical second bump  638 . In this embodiment, the electrical bumps  646  and  648  are data/control signal bumps for the electronic component  626 . A power plane (not pictured) and a ground plane (not pictured) are also within the substrate  612 , along with signal planes (not pictured) for the additional electrical bumps  646  and  648 .  
         [0053]    The illustration of FIG. 6 depicts electrical first bump  614 , electrical second bump  638 , electrical third bump  660 , and electrical fourth bump  662  as having an oblong shape that gives each bump an aspect ratio (height:width) of greater than one. In one embodiment, the standoff  656  is increased by having electrical bumps with an aspect ratio of greater than one, although the aspect ratio may be substantially equal to one. Where a high-performance capacitor is selected, it may have a third characteristic vertical dimension that is less than the first characteristic vertical dimension of the electrical first bump  614 .  
         [0054]    In the embodiment of FIG. 6, all the decoupling capacitors are disposed upon the substrate  612 . Where it is applicable to dispose all decoupling capacitors upon the top structure  624 , a system similar to that depicted in FIG. 7 is used, as will now be discussed.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 7 is an elevational cut-away of yet another system  710  according to an embodiment. In FIG. 7 a system  710  includes a substrate  712  and a top structure  724 . Disposed on substrate  712  are an electrical first bump  714 , an electrical second bump  738 , an electrical third bump  760 , and an electrical fourth bump  762 . A capacitor  730 A is disposed upon the top structure  724  between the electrical first bump  714  and the electrical second bump  738 . A capacitor  730 B is disposed upon the top structure between the electrical second bump  738  and the electrical third bump  760 . Similarly, a capacitor  730 C is disposed upon the top structure between the electrical third bump  760  and the electrical fourth bump  762 . The placement of the capacitors  730 A,  730 B, and  730 C closer to the electronic component  726  has the effect of a faster transient load response by the capacitors.  
         [0056]    Although the embodiments in FIGS. 6 and 7 depict three capacitors in the X-dimension, other embodiments include an embodiment having two capacitors arrayed linearly in the X-dimension, and an embodiment having more than three capacitors arrayed linearly in the X-dimension. Further embodiments have more capacitors deployed above and/or below the plane of the figure.  
         [0057]    According to another embodiment, a combination of capacitors is disposed in part upon a substrate and in part upon a top structure, as will now be described regarding FIG. 8.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 8 is an elevational cut-away of a still another system  810  according to an embodiment. The system  810  relates to a decoupling capacitor system. The system  810  includes a substrate  812  and a top structure  824  including an electronic component  826 . The system  810  illustrates a combination of capacitors  830 A,  830 B,  830 C,  830 D, and  830 E. The capacitors  830 A,  830 B,  830 C are disposed upon the substrate  812 , and the capacitors  830 D and  830 E are disposed upon the top structure  824 . In one embodiment, the capacitors  830 A,  830 B,  830 C have a first capacity and a first response time, and the capacitors  830 D and  830 E have a second capacity that is greater than the first capacity. In another embodiment, the capacitors  830 D and  830 E have a second response time that is slower than the first response time.  
         [0059]    The embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 is employed in a situation wherein the disparate coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) for the capacitors  830 A,  830 B, and  830 C and the top structure  824  lead to cracking and disconnection issues for the capacitors  830 A,  830 B, and  830 C during testing and/or field use. Where the source of heat is the electronic component  826 , in one embodiment, the distance from the electronic component  826  and the capacitors  830 D and  830 E is sufficient that the CTE disparity is of minor consequence during testing and/or field use. Although it has been discussed as an alternative embodiment for each figure set forth in this disclosure, it is again noted that the capacitors  830 A,  830 B,  830 C,  830 D, and  830 E, or one of them, or a subcombination of them can have a capacitor standoff like the capacitor standoff  231  depicted in FIG. 2A. Accordingly, whether a given capacitor is mounted upon the substrate  812  or the underside of the top structure  824 , the capacitor can have a capacitor standoff such that the capacitor is not in direct contact with the either the substrate and/or the underside of the top structure  824 . The capacitor standoff allows for more thermal expansion differences because the capacitor is substantially suspended in the softer solder.  
         [0060]    An alternative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 9, which will now be described.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 9 is an elevational cut-away of a further system  910  according to an embodiment. The system  910  relates to a decoupling capacitor system. The system  910  includes a substrate  912  and a top structure  924  including an electronic component  926 . The system  910  illustrates a combination of capacitors  930 A,  930 B,  930 C,  930 D, and  930 E. The capacitors  930 A,  930 B, and  930 C are disposed upon the top structure  924 , and the capacitors  930 D and  930 E are disposed upon the substrate  912 . In one embodiment, the capacitor  930 B has a first capacity and a first response time. The capacitors  930 A and  930 C have a second capacity and a second response time. The capacitors  930 D and  930 E have a third capacity that is greater than the first capacity and the second capacity. In another embodiment, the capacitors  930 D and  930 E have a third response time that is slower than the first response time. In another embodiment, the capacitors  930 A and  930 C have a response time that is slower than the capacitor  930 B, but faster than the capacitors  930 D and  930 E. Accordingly, in one embodiment the capacitor  930 B has the fastest response time and the lowest capacity.  
         [0062]    The embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 is employed in a situation wherein the disparate coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) for the capacitors  930 A,  930 B, and  930 C and the top structure  924  are not great enough to cause cracking and disconnection issues during testing and/or field use. Further, it is a characteristic of this embodiment to place the capacitors  930 A,  930 B, and  930 C as close to the electronic component  926  as possible within the area between the substrate  912  and the top structure  924 . The placement of the capacitors  930 D and  930 E is depicted as on the substrate  912 , but an alternative embodiment includes their placement (not pictured) upon the top structure  924 . Another embodiment relates to a method of forming a current loop in a decoupling capacitor system. According to various embodiments, the current loop is not convoluted. This will now be explained with reference to FIG. 10.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 10 is an elevational cut-away of yet a further system  810  according to an embodiment. The system  1010  has a simple current loop  1064 . The system  1010  includes a substrate  1012  and a top structure  1024  including an electronic component  1026 . According to an embodiment, a simple current loop  1064 originates out of the power plane (not pictured) of the substrate  1012 . The simple current loop  1064  passes upwardly from a capacitor Vcc terminal  1032  and an electrical bump  1014 . Next, the simple current loop  1064  passes into the power plane (not pictured) and/or a power via (not pictured) of the top structure  1024  and into the electronic component  1026 . Thereafter, the simple current loop  1064  passes out of the electronic component  1026  and into the ground plane (not pictured) and/or a ground via (not pictured) of the top structure  1024 . Finally, the simple current loop  1064  concludes in the capacitor Vss terminal  1034  and ground electrical bump  1038 , and it terminates in the ground plane (not pictured) of the substrate  1012 . This simple current loop  1064  embodiment is therefore not convoluted, as compared to the loop  64  depicted in FIG. 11.  
         [0064]    In one embodiment, the current loop forms a simple deflected loop, but it does not form any convolution. FIG. 8 is an example of a simple deflected current loop  864 . The simple deflected current loop  864  passes upwardly from a capacitor Vcc terminal  832  and electrical bump  814 . Next, the simple deflected current loop  864  passes into the power plane (not pictured) and/or a power via (not pictured) of the top structure  824  and into the electronic component  826 . Thereafter, the simple deflected current loop  864  passes out of the electronic component  826  and into the ground plane (not pictured) and/or a ground via (not pictured) of the top structure  824 . Finally, the simple deflected current loop  864  concludes in the capacitor Vss terminal  834  and ground electrical bump  838 , and it terminates in the ground plane (not pictured) of the substrate  812 . This simple deflected current loop  864  embodiment is also not convoluted, in comparison to the convoluted loop  64  depicted in FIG. 11.  
         [0065]    It is again noted that the simple loop and the simple deflected loop are each shorter current loops than what exists in the conventional technology.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a simple deflected current loop  964 . The simple deflected current loop  964  passes upwardly from a capacitor Vcc terminal  932  and electrical bump  914 . Next, the simple deflected current loop  964  passes into the power plane (not pictured) and/or a power via (not pictured) of the top structure  924  and into the electronic component  926 . Thereafter, the simple deflected current loop  964  passes out of the electronic component  926  and into the ground plane (not pictured) and/or a ground via (not pictured) of the top structure  924 . Finally, the simple deflected current loop  964  concludes in the shared capacitor Vss terminal  934  and ground electrical bump  938 , and it terminates in the ground plane (not pictured) of the substrate  912 . This simple deflected current loop  964  embodiment is also, by definition, not convoluted.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 12 illustrates a method flow diagram  1200  according to an embodiment.  
         [0068]    In  1210 , a decoupling capacitor is provided between an electrical first bump and an electrical second bump.  
         [0069]    In  1220 , a component transient is responded to at the decoupling capacitor.  
         [0070]    In  1230 , a supply voltage Vcc is directed upwardly from the capacitor toward the component.  
         [0071]    In  1240 , a ground voltage Vss is retrieved downwardly from the component toward the capacitor.  
         [0072]    In one embodiment, the method causes a simple current loop to form as set forth herein. In another embodiment, the method causes a simple deflected current loop to form as set forth herein.  
         [0073]    It is emphasized that the Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) requiring an Abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.  
         [0074]    In the foregoing Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.  
         [0075]    It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, material, and arrangements of the parts and method stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the invention as expressed in the subjoined claims.

Technology Category: h