MICROELECTRONIC SYSTEMS NEWS

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FILENUMBER: 804
BEGIN_KEYWORDS
asem midas fabrication multi-chip module
END_KEYWORDS
DATE: november 1994
TITLE: MIDAS: Low-Cost Multi-Chip Module Fabrication


MIDAS: Low-Cost Multi-Chip Module Fabrication

(Contributed by Jennifer Peltier of USC/ISI)

Application-Specific Electronic Modules (ASEMs) can now be fabri-
cated  via  the ARPA-sponsored brokerage service at USC/ISI.  The
brokerage service is similiar to MOSIS, the  integrated  circuits
prototyping service, in that users share the costs of tooling and
manufacturing through the use of standard module sizes and  pack-
ages.  Designers must use one of the following: 25mm, 37mm, 47mm,
and 57mm square.  IBM, MMS and nChip foundries will be used.   In
each  case, substrates will include one power, one ground and two
signal layers. Design kits for Cadence  Allegro  and  Mentor  MCM
Station are available.

Known good die are critical to successful MCMs. The  ASEM  broker
works  with  ISI's  ARPA-sponsored  'FAST'  broker to procure die
through distributors and other third party sources,  as  well  as
from  die  manufacturers.  In addition, MMS is working with Intel
and National Semiconductor to obtain bare die.  ISI is  aware  of
other suppliers including Chip Supply, IBM, Micron, Motorola, TI,
Vitesse and Xilinx.  Die in categories such  as  memories,  logic
devices,  microprocessors  and  FPGAs  are  available.  Designers
should inquire in what format they exist, for instance wire bond,
flip chip, or TAB.

The costs shown below assumes that the designers  meet  the  user
requirements  for fixed pad locations/pinout, standard layers and
substrate sizes. This estimate EXCLUDES die and  functional  test
costs. The user will receive five modules per design.

        MCM size   Total Cost/User*

         25mm       $7,800

         37mm       $9,100

         47mm      $17,500

*Includes pre-assembly (unpopulated substrate) MCM  test,  assem-
bly, package.

For additional information, use MOSAIC to access:

         http://www.isi.edu/asem-broker/asem-broker.html

or contact:

     ASEM Brokerage Service
     USC/Information Sciences Institute
     4676 Admiralty Way
     Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6695
     TEL: (310)-822-1511
     FAX: (310)-823-5624
     EMAIL: asem-broker@isi.edu

	 WWW:  MIDAS