Ultra Fine Pitch RDL Development in Multi-layer eWLB (embedded Wafer Level BGA) Packages

Abstract

The market for portable and mobile data access devices connected to a virtual cloud access point is exploding and driving increased functional convergence as well as increased packaging complexity and sophistication. This is creating unprecedented demand for higher input/output (I/O) density, higher bandwidths and low power consumption in smaller package sizes. There are exciting interconnect technologies in wafer level packaging such as eWLB (embedded Wafer Level Ball Grid Array), 2.5D interposers, thin PoP (Package-on-Package) and TSV (Through Silicon Via) interposer solutions to meet these needs. eWLB technologies with the ability to extend the package size beyond the area of the chip are leading the way to the next level of high density, thin packaging capability. eWLB provides a robust packaging platform supporting very dense interconnection and routing of multiple die in very reliable, low profile, low warpage 2.5D and 3D solutions. The use of these embedded eWLB packages in a side-by-side configuration to replace a stacked package configuration is critical to enable a more cost effective mobile market capability. Combining the analog or memory device with digital logic device in a semiconductor package can provide an optimum solution for achieving the best performance in thin, multiple-die integration aimed at very high performance. One of the greatest challenges facing wafer level packaging at present is the availability of routing and interconnecting high I/O fine pitch area array. RDL (redistribution layer) allows signal and supply I/O's to be redistributed to a footprint larger than the chip footprint in eWLB . Required line widths and spacing of 2/2 μm for eWLB applications support the bump pitch of less than 40um. Finer line width and spacing are critical for further design flexibility as well as electrical performance improvement. This paper highlights the rapidly moving trend towards eWLB packaging technologies with ultra fine 2/2um line width and line spacing and multi-layer RDL. A package design study, process development and optimization, and mechanical characterization will be discussed as well as test vehicle preparation. JEDEC component level reliability test results will also be presented.