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Affordable High-Density Chip On Board
Increasing the unit area functionality
of circuit cards has been an ever-present Electronic
Industry trend. The recent past has seen
increased density increases through area-array component
packaging implementation, predominately by using ball grid array (BGA)
and chip-scale package (CSP) devices. In 1998,
U.S. Electronics Industry Roadmaps projected packaging
requirements necessary to realize high-density circuit functions at the
system level circuit card assembly using current
and next generation chip packaging technologies. The
roadmaps predicted a requirement for a paradigm
shift in approach in both areas; that is, the development of
redistribution layer printed circuit boards (PCB) and chip size
packages. Application of these technologies
was demanding the assembly capability in both the commercial and
defense industries..
The first phase was co-funded by the Consortium
and the Air Force ManTech Program as there was strong Department of
Defense (DoD) interest in application of the technology. ManTech
Program funding was exhausted in 1998 after completion of the Phase 1:
mixed technology assembly process development.
The Phase 2 CTMA
effort leveraged the prior results obtained through the first phase of
the project. Phase 2 centered on: 1)
verification of assembly processed used in conjunction with
high-density interconnect (HDI) PCBs, 2) development of processes for
reworkable underfills, and 3) solder joint rework and reliability
testing. The Phase 2 technical effort was completed in December 2003.
The purpose of the
project was to develop the assembly process and to test the reliability
of using the emerging higher-density surface-mount technology (SMT)
devices and the chip-on-board (COB) die on the same PCB with
conventional SMT parts. Because of the much smaller and tighter traces
and solder pads of this technology, development of the rework/repair
processes is a significant capability need for industry and the DoD
Depot community.
With these new
materials and higher density packaging, a demonstrated understanding of
the materials, assembly interaction and rework processes is critical to
obtaining the high reliability required for both commercial and defense
industries. This mixed technology, SMT, COB and PCBs with HDI
technology, allows for increased unit area functionality of circuit
cards with much higher integrated circuit densities. The increased
density produces additional flexibility in module partitioning and
layouts and increases assembly reliability through lower junction
temperatures.
The emerging
high-density devices all used solderballs to
physically and electrically connect the devices to the PCBs.
These device types were BGA packages, CSP and flip-chip (FC) components
also known as direct-chip-attach (DCA) devices.
This project collected
performance data on the assembly processes, integrity and performance
limits of the component to board solder joints, and the use of adhesives
and underfills. This information was then used
to determine the feasibility of incorporating this technology
into future products.
The HDCOB Consortium
designed test vehicles (TVs) that allowed the partners to populate
boards with daisy-chained components allowing for thorough reliability
tests. Included in the TV designs were solder land pads that provided
the opportunity to try various solder stencil aperture designs; three
different surface finishes to determine which one would provide the best
combination of first-pass solder joint quality and thermal-cycle testing
reliability; solder mask features to study and optimize methods for
dispensing both reworkable and non-reworkable underfill materials under
the CSP and FC devices; and to develop and test rework methods for the
removal and replacement of the CSP and FC devices and then test the
affects of those rework processes on solder joint reliability of those
components.
Because of the
collaborative efforts, each of the industry participants developed
manufacturing capabilities, performed reliability tests and were
beginning to use the higher-density technology much sooner than
otherwise would have occurred.
Key Consortium findings were:
· Adding
solder paste to balls of replacement parts during parts
rework or replacement provided increased solder joint reliability
during environmental stress tests compared to reworked parts where
additional solder was not applied.
· Selection
of a surface finish for PCB solder pads can have a
significant impact on solder joint reliability.
· Rework
processes were developed for the emerging high-density devices. Due
to the high cost of these devices this is a key need and capability
for the industry and the DoD Depot participant as they prepare for
the introduction of this technology.
· Reworkable
underfills are not yet ready for use on high-vale, high-reliability
products. Materials suppliers are continuing development efforts in
this area.
Program Manager: Lee Patch, (734) 995-4972,
leep@ncms.org
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