Probe Socket Configurations

Probe Socket Configurations

Ironwood Electronics has recently introduced series of high performance BGA socket for high speed probing of the memory chip and processor debugging during the design phase. Figure 1 shows a BGA socket that is designed for 1Gb Mobile DDR2-S4 SDRAM (12x12mm, 0.5mm pitch, 168 FBGA Package). Customer can use this stacked socket to probe 1Gb memory device using Agilent’s Flex Probe stacked inside the socket. Agilent’s probe makes contact with the target PCB through the 0.5mm thick high density elastomer contact. Memory chip sits on top of the Probe and makes contact with it through high speed elastomer contact as well. Agilent’s Probe brings out the signals to oscilloscope/logic analyzer for high speed probing. A list of probe socket available for processor and memory is shown in table 1.

If the configuration listed in table 1 is not suitable for your device, the first step in procuring custom probe socket is that customer communicates their device specification to Ironwood Electronics. An application engineer will be assigned for this request who works with your design engineer and produce a custom probe socket drawing that shows footprint and stack up information. A proposal will be sent to the customer after acceptance of the custom probe socket drawing.  We provide various options such as first article, delivery schedule and quantity price break downs. At the start of the project, our application and design engineering team will work on your project and keep customer updated on schedules and project milestones. For your custom packages, please contact 800-404-0204 or email info@ironwoodelectronics.com

Force Challenges

The biggest of all challenge is force balancing. In a simple case, processor has 515 solder balls and the PoP (Package on Package) memory has 168 solder balls. Memory with 168 balls requires 5 lbs of force for optimum compression that results in less than 20 milliohms contact resistance per ball. Processor with 515 balls requires 15 lbs of force for optimum compression that results in less than 20 milliohms contact resistance per ball. In order to balance the force at each level, another 10 lbs of force is needed at the memory level. This will balance the force at processor level.  When 15 lbs of force is applied to the memory with only 168 balls, the elastomer underneath memory will be over compressed. Also, there is potential of memory device warpage due to high force. To counter balance, a sheet of rubber whose thickness can fill the gap between bottom side of memory device and top side of elastomer interface has been used. This rubber can absorb the extra 10 lbs of force resulting only recommended force on the elastomer section that was interfaced with memory device. Similar force balancing has to be accomplished at each level of interconnection if force variation exists.

Alignment Challenges

Similar to force balancing, alignment level challenges has been addressed at each interconnection level. Let us consider a simple case where a test engineer needs to test processor only. It is a simple one level interconnection.  The following (Figure 3) picture shows typical variations in XY direction for a single stack up interconnect.

Elastomer is the “interconnect” used in this stack up. Top side of the elastomer interfaces with device ball and brings the electrical signal down to test board. Elastomer consists of gold plate brass wires embedded in silicone rubber. In order to have least resistance electrical path, greater than 50% of area with respect to pad/ball dimension to be made contact with top and bottom side. To ensure proper alignment, all the components are precisely positioned with one datum (alignment pin).  The following scenario shows worst case situation.

With 0.24mm minimum pad diameter for 0.4mm pitch BGA, elastomer contacts more than 58% of the pad with 0.1mm off from nominal location. This means pin alignment hole and ball alignment hole has to be manufactured with very tight tolerance ±0.025mm. This XY variation occurs on each level of the stack up.  All the levels should ensure greater than 50% contact coverage area for the best electrical connection. Similar calculations have to be made for Z variations and manufacturing tolerances has to be updated such that >50% of pad is covered by elastomer. Alternatively, if spring pins are used instead of embedded wire elastomer for interconnect options; the alignment challenge increases two fold. First, we have to add spring pin diameter tolerance. Second, we have to add the hole tolerance that positions the spring pin. In order to ensure proper electrical connection, manufacturing tolerances have to be very tightly controlled on these two additional factors which results in yield issues and high cost. Selecting appropriate interconnect medium plays major role in development cost.

Pitch, pin count and performance complexities in 3D packages are driven to its extreme due to consumer demand. Simple two level IC stacking requires four level interconnection for development needs. XYZ alignment challenges at each interconnect level push manufacturing capabilities to the level never seen before. Force balancing at each level requires innovative design and new materials with unique properties.