Abstract: The present invention provides a memory module with any combination of driver line terminators, power supply circuits, and components integral to a memory control subsystem mounted directly on the memory module for use with high speed, impedance-controlled memory buses. The memory module may be formed on a conventional printed circuit card with unpacked or packed memory chips attached directly to the memory module. Including the additional functionality directly on the memory modules improves the EMC/EMI performance as well as signal quality and integrity, thereby enhancing the memory subsystem performance. Such designs may also eliminate the need for bus exit connections, thereby allowing the freed-up connection capacity to be used to address additional memory capacity on the module. Another embodiment features a module with the additional features but without memory devices.

Abstract: The present invention features an interposer that provides a high reliability interface between an LGA connector and a motherboard. The novel interposer overcomes the limitations of prior art interposers by including a stepped spacer for each solder interconnection which prevents the relaxation of mechanical contact force while ensuring the integrity of each solder interconnection. The interposer provides noble metal plated contact pads on a first surface to receive the contact members of an LGA connector, and contact pads for BGA solder connections for attachment to a motherboard. A description of the processes to manufacture the interposer is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat spreading connector suitable for use with electronic components including those using land grid arrays and pin grid arrays and a method for its use.

Abstract: The present invention is a family of memory modules. In one embodiment a memory module with granularity, upgradeability, and high throughput of at least 4.2 gigabytes per second using two channels of RAMBUS memory devices in a typical volume of just 2.2 inches by 1.1 inches by 0.39 inch. Each module includes an impedance-controlled substrate having contact pads, memory devices and other components, including optional driver line terminators, on its surfaces. The inclusion of spaced, multiple area array interconnections allows a row of memory devices to be serially mounted between each of the area array interconnections, thereby minimizing the interconnect lengths and facilitating matching of interconnect lengths. Short area array interconnections, including BGA, PGA, and LGA options or interchangeable alternative connectors provide interconnections between the modules and the rest of the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic package for high speed, high performance semiconductors. It includes a plurality of devices, circuit members and short interconnections between the circuit members for maintaining high electrical performance. Suitable applications requiring high speed, impedance-controlled transmission line buses throughout the entire package include microprocessor and digital signal processor data buses, and high speed memory buses for products such as laptop and handheld computing and telecommunications devices. Circuit members include printed circuit boards and circuit modules, and may be formed from a wide variety of materials with unpacked or packed semiconductors attached directly to the circuit members. Through the use of clamps the package is at least factory reworkable and can be field separable. Thermal management structures may be included to maintain the high density devices within a reliable range of operating temperatures.

Abstract: An interconnection device is provided for temporary connection of a first electronic system to a second electronic system having a support substrate that includes an ordered array of conductive solder pads. A plurality of coil signal contacts are mounted to the conductive solder pads. Each one of the coil signal contacts comprises a central longitudinal axis, a top turn and a bottom turn that are arranged in spaced relation to one another. In this way, the bottom turn of one of the plurality of coil signal contacts is fastened to each of the conductive pads such that the top turns are spaced away from the support substrate.

Abstract: The present invention features an ultra high density, high frequency, three-dimensional electronic circuit package suitable for constructing high capacity, high speed computer memory cards and the like. A demountable contact system allows easy test and/or burn-in. A memory card has a number of electrical receptacles adapted to receive a daughter card. The daughter card has memory devices attached to it and a corresponding number of electrical connectors placed along at least one edge, adapted to detachably mate with the electrical receptacles of the memory card. The demountable connectors allow easy rework of the package before optional, permanent solder attach. Bare dies or thin packages are mounted onto daughter cards, which in turn are mounted onto either a motherboard or memory card using pin/hole technology.

Abstract: The present invention is a family of memory modules. In one embodiment a memory module with granularity, upgradability, and a capacity of two gigabytes uses 256 MB SDRAM or DDR SDRAM memory devices in CSPs in a volume of just 4.54 inches by 2.83 inches by 0.39 inch. Each module includes an impedance-controlled substrate having contact pads, memory devices, and other components, including optional driver line terminators, on its surfaces. The inclusion of spaced, multiple area array interconnections allows memory devices to be symmetrically mounted on each side of each of the area array interconnections, thereby reducing the interconnect lengths and facilitating the matching of interconnect lengths. Short area array interconnections, including BGA, PGA, and LGA options or interchangeable alternative connectors provide interconnections between the modules and the rest of the system. Thermal control structures may be included to maintain the memory devices within a reliable range of operating temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is a cost effective module that provides high performance, high density and highly reliability interconnections needed between the various circuit devices that form a functional system or a part of a larger system. It includes circuit members having high speed, impedance-controlled transmission line signal paths, short land grid array interconnections between circuit members and, optionally, driver line terminators built into one of the circuit members, for maintaining high electrical performance. Suitable applications include mainframe computers, workstations, telecommunications networks, or other electronic equipment. The circuit members may be formed on conventional printed circuit cards with unpacked or packed circuit devices attached directly to the circuit members. Thermal control structures may be included to maintain the circuit devices within a reliable range of operating temperatures. A clamp is also included.

Abstract: The present invention features a memory module for use in conjunction with high speed, impedance-controlled buses. Each memory card may be a conventional printed circuit card with memory chips attached directly thereto. Alternately, high density memory modules assembled from pluggable sub-modules may be used. These sub-modules may be temporarily assembled for testing and/or burn-in. Bus terminations mounted directly on the memory card or the memory module eliminate the need for bus exit connections, allowing the freed-up connection capacity to be used to address additional memory capacity on the module. An innovative pin-in-hole contact system is used both to connect sub-modules to the memory module and, optionally, to connect the memory module to a motherboard or similar structure. A thermal control structure may be placed in the memory module, cooling the increased number of memory chips to prevent excess heat build-up and ensure reliable memory operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical contact comprising a first member having spring properties and a second member wrapped around at least a portion of the first member wherein the second member has a greater electrical conductivity than the first member. In one embodiment, a conductor is wrapped around at least a portion of a spring. In another embodiment, the spring is formed into a coil or helix with a wire wrapped around at least a portion of the helical spring. In one form of this embodiment, the spring has a plurality of turns and the wire is wrapped around at least two of the turns. In another form of this embodiment, the spring has a plurality of turns and the wire is wrapped around all of the turns. An interposer connector is also provided having a frame including a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern and opening onto the top and bottom surfaces of the frame.

Abstract: A method for cutting an elastomer cable into ultra-precise, defect-free segments of consistent length, and an apparatus to perform the same. The invented apparatus comprises cable advancement, cable clamping and cable shearing systems. The cable advancement system comprises rollers with a groove substantially matching the diameter of the cable. The cable clamping system comprises a pair of dies with a preferably conical feed hole and a clamping hole substantially matching the diameter of the cable. The cable shearing system comprises a preferably extra keen coated cryo treated movable razor blade that is held at an adjustable angle against the face of the clamping dies and slides in a linear path at a low sawing angle. In one embodiment, a second razor blade for nicking the cable prior to shearing—on substantially the opposite side of the cable from where shearing begins—is used to prevent tears in cable slices. The invented apparatus can be manually operated, or it can be motorized.

Abstract: The present invention features an ultra high density, three-dimensional electronic circuit package suitable for constructing high capacity, high speed computer memory cards and the like. A demountable contact system allows easy test and/or burn-in. A memory card has a number of electrical receptacles adapted to receive a daughter card. The daughter card has memory devices attached to it and a corresponding number of electrical connectors placed along at least one edge, adapted to detachably mate with the electrical receptacles of the memory card. The demountable connectors allow easy rework of the module before optional, permanent solder attach. Bare dies or thin packages are mounted onto daughter cards, which in turn are mounted onto either a motherboard or memory card using pin/hole technology.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier with electrical shielding of individual contact elements, resulting in LGA interposer connectors with improved electrical performance. The carrier includes a plurality of openings, each of which may contain an individual contact element. The openings may be plated with conductive material, and may also be commoned to one or more reference voltages (e.g., ground) present on at least one conductive layer of the carrier. The carrier may be as simple as a single unified structure with a conductive layer on one outer surface, or much more complex, having many layers of dielectric and conductive material. The carrier may also provide improved retention of the individual contact elements. The process to assemble one embodiment of the carrier is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical contact comprising a first member having spring properties and a second member wrapped around at least a portion of the first member wherein the second member has a greater electrical conductivity than the first member. In one embodiment, a conductor is wrapped around at least a portion of a spring. In another embodiment, the spring is formed into a coil or helix with a wire wrapped around at least a portion of the helical spring. In one form of this embodiment, the spring has a plurality of turns and the wire is wrapped around at least two of the turns. In another form of this embodiment, the spring has a plurality of turns and the wire is wrapped around all of the turns. An interposer connector is also provided having a frame including a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern and opening onto the top and bottom surfaces of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic package for high speed, high performance semiconductors. It includes a plurality of devices, circuit members and short interconnections between the circuit members for maintaining high electrical performance. Suitable applications requiring high speed, impedance-controlled transmission line buses throughout the entire package include microprocessor and digital signal processor data buses, and high speed memory buses for products such as laptop and handheld computing and telecommunications devices. Circuit members include printed circuit boards and circuit modules, and may be formed from a wide variety of materials with unpacked or packed semiconductors attached directly to the circuit members. Through the use of clamps the package is at least factory reworkable and can be field separable. Thermal management structures may be included to maintain the high density devices within a reliable range of operating temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is a cost effective, reworkable, LGA-based interconnection for use between two circuit members such as a ceramic module and an FR4-based system board. The resilient contact members allow the reliable interconnection of two circuit members, even though the circuit members may have significantly different CTEs and have interconnections where the distance from neutral point is great enough to crack BGA or CGA solder connections. For factory reworkable applications, the ends of the contact members are semi-permanently attached to both the module and the system board. For certain field separable applications, semi-permanently attaching only one of the ends of an LGA to either the module or the system board provides increased reliability.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical contact comprising a first member having spring properties and a second member wrapped around at least a portion of the first member wherein the second member has a greater electrical conductivity than the first member. In one embodiment, a conductor is wrapped around at least a portion of a spring. In another embodiment, the spring is formed into a coil or helix with a wire wrapped around at least a portion of the helical spring. In one form of this embodiment, the spring has a plurality of turns and the wire is wrapped around at least two of the turns. In another form of this embodiment, the spring has a plurality of turns and the wire is wrapped around all of the turns. An interposer connector is also provided having a frame including a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern and opening onto the top and bottom surfaces of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier with electrical shielding of individual contact elements, resulting in LGA interposer connectors with improved electrical performance. The carrier includes a plurality of openings, each of which may contain an individual contact element. The openings may be plated with conductive material, and may also be commoned to one or more reference voltages (e.g., ground) present on at least one conductive layer of the carrier. The carrier may be as simple as a single unified structure with a conductive layer on one outer surface, or much more complex, having many layers of dielectric and conductive material. The carrier may also provide improved retention of the individual contact elements. The process to assemble one embodiment of the carrier is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile, high density electronic package for high speed, high performance semiconductors, such as memory devices. It includes a plurality of modules having high speed, impedance-controlled transmission line buses, short interconnections between modules and, optionally, driver line terminators built into one of the modules, for maintaining high electrical performance. Suitable applications include microprocessor data buses and memory buses such as RAMBUS and DDR. The modules may be formed on conventional printed circuit cards with unpacked or packed memory chips attached directly to the memory module. Thermal control structures may be included to maintain the high density modules within a reliable range of operating temperatures.