Characterization of net configurations for multichip modules

Abstract

An investigation of the design considerations for MCMs based on CMOS VLSI has been carried out with the aim of achieving a higher performance system. Included in the investigation were output driver and receiver characteristics and net configurations in MCM. Four MCM types have been introduced: MCM-D, MCM-Si, MCM-C, and MCM-L. Time domain analysis using the SPICE simulation program was carried out taking into consideration a lossy transmission line model. A simpler criterion for the critical damping condition and an estimation method for the signal delay of the network with a lumped circuit approximation is proposed to determine a preferable interconnect network including the output driver and the loads. The effect of the net configuration was also analyzed and the preferences among the net configurations have been represented with only two net parameters such as the total net length and the far-end length.