Page 44 - ChipScale_Mar-Apr_2020-digital

Figure 3: Comparison of SI/PI.
of the SiP is fabricated and then put shifts the verification activity left, far discovered. The same is true of SiP
through its paces to check performance. forward into development through digital designs. This exploration of the design
The problems with this approach, though, methods. This eliminates costly rounds space allows engineers to make better,
are the associated costs and required time. of prototyping and testing. It also reduces more informed decisions about design.
Remember, shorter life cycles are driving the overall costs of development. Conducting a feasibility study early in
the need to launch or deliver products far development is key to success.
sooner. There simply isn’t time to build The short turnaround time Also in conjunction with Socionext,
and test one prototype, much less multiple environment we developed a quick prototyping
iterations if the initial architecture fails It is uncommon for the first iteration environment (Figure 4) for feasibility
to perform as expected. It simply isn’t of any architecture to work the first time. studies using CR-8000 Design Force,
feasible early in development. That’s the nature of engineering. An Zuken’s 3D multi-board system design
Fortunately, there is an alternative engineer can try one architecture and software. It starts with the definition of a
approach. In 2019, we partnered with verify that it fails to meet requirements. product specification that drives large scale
Socionext Inc., to develop an approach The engineer then iterates to develop a integration (LSI). That, in turn, drives the
called prototype design [5]. This method uses new architecture to verify. The process detailed definition of the package. That
design and simulation tools early to verify continues until a successful design is package is then used for the analysis,
and iterate on SiP designs (Figure 3). The enabling the direct verification of the
idea is to use digital methods to virtually test
performance, long before any prototypes
are built. When the initial prototype is built,
it passes physical testing the first time. The
process uses the following steps:

• Eng i neers i n concept desig n
determine the component sizes,
placements, and connectivity;
• Engineers using the prototype
design method confirm electrical
characteristics, connect critical
signals, shielding, as well as power
and ground planes; and
• Engineers in detailed design prepare
the production-ready design data.

Not only does this approach enable
crucial verification early, it also reduces
reliance on prototyping and testing
throughout the development process. It Figure 4: Quick prototyping design environment.

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42 Chip Scale Review March • April • 2020 [ChipScaleReview.com]