Field programmable multi-chip module (FPMCM)-an integration of FPGA and MCM technology

Abstract

Multichip module technology can be used to dramatically increase the capability and performance of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and the field programmable systems (FPS) that they are a part of. After an analysis of the key advantages that MCM technology has for FPGAs, we present the design of our first-generation silicon-on-silicon field programmable multi-chip module (FPMCM), analyze its limitations, and present some lessons learned in the development process. We conclude with a comparison of MCM-C and MCM-D technology for this application and suggest that the case for MCM-D for FPMCMs is most compelling when MCM-D is considered as a doorway to active substrate and chip-on-chip technologies.