Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for sensing a voltage difference across two interconnect structures of a multi-chip packaged device. In an embodiment, the interconnect structures provide respective voltages to each of multiple integrated circuit (IC) chips of the packaged device. Switch circuitry of the packaged device is operable to provide any of multiple modes which each switchedly couple a voltage sensor to a different respective one of various sample point pairs of the interconnect structures. Control circuitry operates the switch circuitry to selectively provide one of the multiple modes based on an indication of a workload to be performed with one or more of the IC chips. In another embodiment, the voltage sensor senses the voltages each at a respective sample point of a sample point pair which corresponds to the selected mode of the switch circuitry.

Abstract: A processor module comprises an integrated circuit component attached to a power interposer. One or more voltage regulator modules attach to the power interposer via interconnect sockets and the power interposer routes regulated power signals generated by the voltage regulator modules to the integrated circuit component. Input power signals are provided to the voltage regulator from the system board via straight pins, a cable connector, or another type of connector. The integrated circuit component's I/O signals are routed through the power interposer to a system board via a socket located between the power interposer and the socket. Not having to route regulated power signals from a system board through a socket to an integrated circuit component can result in a system board with fewer layers, which can reduce overall system cost, as well as creating more area available in the remaining layers for I/O signal entry to the socket.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a capacitor includes a first external capacitor plane including a first at least one terminal of a first polarity, and a first internal capacitor plane including a second at least one terminal of the first polarity. The second at least one terminal of the first polarity may be electrically coupled to the first at least one terminal of the first polarity, and a total area of the second at least one terminal of the first polarity may be less than a total area of the first at least one terminal of the first polarity.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a capacitor includes a first external capacitor plane comprising a first at least one terminal of a first polarity, and a first internal capacitor plane comprising a second at least one terminal of the first polarity. The second at least one terminal of the first polarity may be electrically coupled to the first at least one terminal of the first polarity, and a total area of the second at least one terminal of the first polarity may be less than a total area of the first at least one terminal of the first polarity.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes one or more conductive clamps (302, 304, FIG. 3), which are used to supply current to an integrated circuit (IC) package (308). The conductive clamps are attached to a printed circuit (PC) board (312), which supplies the current to the IC package over one clamp, and receives returned current from the IC package over another clamp. Each clamp contacts a contact pad (330) on the surface of the PC board, and contacts another contact pad (334) on the top surface of the IC package. Vias (338, 339) and conductive planes (340, 342) within the package then carry current to and from an IC (e.g., IC 306) connected to the package. In another embodiment, the clamp (904, FIG. 9) holds a conductive structure (902) in place between the PC board contact pad (908) and the IC package contact pad (914), and current is carried primarily over the conductive structure, rather than over the clamp.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a socket (300, FIG. 3) includes fabricating a conductive structure (310, FIG. 3) and embedding the conductive structure in a housing (302). The housing includes multiple openings (304) formed in the top surface. Each opening (304) provides access to conductive contacts (502, FIG. 5), which provide an electrical interface between a device that is inserted into the socket and the next level of interconnect (e.g., a PC board). In one embodiment, the embedded conductive structure (310) is electrically connected to one or more ground conducting contacts (708, FIG. 7B). The conductive structure includes column walls (312), which run in parallel with columns of contacts, and row walls (314), which run in parallel with rows of contacts and which intersect the column walls. In this manner, the conductive structure forms multiple chambers (402, FIG. 4).

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a die, a power terminal and a ground terminal all mounted onto a substrate. The power terminal including a body and a first extension projecting from the body, and the ground terminal including a body and a second extension projecting from the body. The second extension on the ground terminal being adjacent to the first extension on the power terminal to offset inductance that is generated by supplying current to the die through the power terminal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a die, a power terminal and a ground terminal all mounted onto a substrate. The power terminal including a body and a first extension projecting from the body, and the ground terminal including a body and a second extension projecting from the body. The second extension on the ground terminal being adjacent to the first extension on the power terminal to offset inductance that is generated by supplying current to the die through the power terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for embedding power and ground planes in a pin grid array (PGA) socket is provided. Integrated circuit pins are inserted into multiple insertion holes of varying dimensions in the power and ground planes. When the cover of the socket is slidably moved, power pins touch the power plane and ground pins touch the ground plane. Decoupling capacitors are also affixed to the substrate. Thus, the power delivery performance of the overall central processing unit (CPU) package is improved. Moreover, the power and ground planes enhance the mechanical strength of the socket which reduces warpage.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes one or more conductive clamps (302, 304, FIG. 3), which are used to supply current to an integrated circuit (IC) package (308). The conductive clamps are attached to a printed circuit (PC) board (312), which supplies the current to the IC package over one clamp, and receives returned current from the IC package over another clamp. Each clamp contacts a contact pad (330) on the surface of the PC board, and contacts another contact pad (334) on the top surface of the IC package. Vias (338, 339) and conductive planes (340, 342) within the package then carry current to and from an IC (e.g., IC 306) connected to the package. In another embodiment, the clamp (904, FIG. 9) holds a conductive structure (902) in place between the PC board contact pad (908) and the IC package contact pad (914), and current is carried primarily over the conductive structure, rather than over the clamp.

Abstract: A system and method for embedding power and ground planes in a pin grid array (PGA) socket is provided. Integrated circuit pins are inserted into multiple insertion holes of varying dimensions in the power and ground planes. When the cover of the socket is slidably moved, power pins touch the power plane and ground pins touch the ground plane. Decoupling capacitors are also affixed to the substrate. Thus, the power delivery performance of the overall central processing unit (CPU) package is improved. Moreover, the power and ground planes enhance the mechanical strength of the socket which reduces warpage.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes one or more conductive clamps (302, 304, FIG. 3), which are used to supply current to an integrated circuit (IC) package (308). The conductive clamps are attached to a printed circuit (PC) board (312), which supplies the current to the IC package over one clamp, and receives returned current from the IC package over another clamp. Each clamp contacts a contact pad (330) on the surface of the PC board, and contacts another contact pad (334) on the top surface of the IC package. Vias (338, 339) and conductive planes (340, 342) within the package then carry current to and from an IC (e.g., IC 306) connected to the package. In another embodiment, the clamp (904, FIG. 9) holds a conductive structure (902) in place between the PC board contact pad (908) and the IC package contact pad (914), and current is carried primarily over the conductive structure, rather than over the clamp.

Abstract: A socket (300, FIG. 3) includes a housing (302) with multiple openings (304) formed in the top surface. Each opening (304) provides access to conductive contacts (502, FIG. 5), which provide an electrical interface between a device that is inserted into the socket and the next level of interconnect (e.g., a PC board). Embedded within the socket is a conductive structure (310, FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the conductive structure is electrically connected to one or more ground conducting contacts (708, FIG. 7B). The conductive structure includes column walls (312), which run in parallel with columns of contacts, and row walls (314), which run in parallel with rows of contacts and which intersect the column walls. In this manner, the conductive structure forms multiple chambers (402, FIG. 4). Each signal carrying and power conducting contact is positioned within a chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for embedding power and ground planes in a pin grid array (PGA) socket is provided. Integrated circuit pins are inserted into multiple insertion holes of varying dimensions in the power and ground planes. When the cover of the socket is slidably moved, power pins touch the power plane and ground pins touch the ground plane. Decoupling capacitors are also affixed to the substrate. Thus, the power delivery performance of the overall central processing unit (CPU) package is improved. Moreover, the power and ground planes enhance the mechanical strength of the socket which reduces warpage.

Abstract: A system and method for embedding power and ground planes in a pin grid array (PGA) socket is provided. Integrated circuit pins are inserted into multiple insertion holes of varying dimensions in the power and ground planes. When the cover of the socket is sidably moved, power pins touch the power plane and ground pins touch the ground plane. Decoupling capacitors are also affixed to the substrate. Thus, the power delivery performance of the overall central processing unit (CPU) package is improved. Moreover, the power and ground planes enhance the mechanical strength of the socket which reduces warpage.

Abstract: A socket (300, FIG. 3) includes a housing (302) with multiple openings (304) formed in the top surface. Each opening (304) provides access to conductive contacts (502, FIG. 5), which provide an electrical interface between a device that is inserted into the socket and the next level of interconnect (e.g., a PC board). Embedded within the socket is a conductive structure (310, FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the conductive structure is electrically connected to one or more ground conducting contacts (708, FIG. 7). The conductive structure includes column walls (312), which run in parallel with columns of contacts, and row walls (314), which run in parallel with rows of contacts and which intersect the column walls. In this manner, the conductive structure forms multiple chambers (402, FIG. 4). Each signal carrying and power conducting contact is positioned within a chamber.

Abstract: A socket (300, FIG. 3) includes a housing (302) with multiple openings (304) formed in the top surface. Each opening (304) provides access to conductive contacts (502, FIG. 5), which provide an electrical interface between a device that is inserted into the socket and the next level of interconnect (e.g., a PC board). Embedded within the socket is a conductive structure (310, FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the conductive structure is electrically connected to one or more ground conducting contacts (708, FIG. 7). The conductive structure includes column walls (312), which run in parallel with columns of contacts, and row walls (314), which run in parallel with rows of contacts and which intersect the column walls. In this manner, the conductive structure forms multiple chambers (402, FIG. 4). Each signal carrying and power conducting contact is positioned within a chamber.