Simulation Based Feasibility Study of Wireless RF Interconnects for 3D ICs

Abstract

A feasibility study of inter-tier wireless interconnects to be used in conjunction with through silicon vias (TSVs) for global communication in 3D ICs is presented. The feasibility is shown by performing a full wave electromagnetic analysis of on-chip communicating antennas in a 3D IC, modeled according to a fully-depleted silicon on insulator (FDSOI) 3D circuit integration technology. It is shown that the selected transmitting and receiving antennas provide a strong signal coupling at the adjacent (-6.67 dB) and the non-adjacent (-6.93 dB) tiers of the 3D IC at a radiation frequency of 10GHz. In addition to permitting non-adjacent tier communication, wireless interconnects are superior to TSVs in permitting non-vertically aligned connections between IC tiers.