Impact of low-cost MCM-D on MCM designers' technology choices

Abstract

Multichip module (MCM)-D has been portrayed as the technology with the most promise, the greatest ability to handle high clock frequencies, and the long-term choice for high-performance applications - although always with a warning that MCM-D was many times more expensive a technology choice than MCM-L. These assumptions are rapidly becoming invalid. MCM-D performance has emerged as foreseen, but at the same time prices for completed modules have fallen greatly. Economics of scale have allowed MCM-D manufacturers to take advantage of their technology by building products that only MCM-D line geometries and form factors make possible. In addition, any enabling technology - like 3-D memory or 3-D stacking of MCM's - for MCM-L will also be usable to equal or greater effect by MCM-D. MCM applications are continuing to follow long-term industry trends for higher performance, lower costs, and smaller form factors.<>