SuperChip packaging issues for advanced signal processors

TRW is developing a miniaturized microelectronic, high-performance vector signal processor (VSP) for use in next-generation spaceborne processors and computer workstations. The VSP consists of a monolithic very-high-speed integrated circuit (VHSIC) wafer scale device, the CPUAX (Central Processing Unit Arithmetic eXtended) SuperChip, and two very complex multichip modules, the Control Memory and the Vector Memory. The authors discuss the issues related to packaging the large, high-performance, low-voltage, high-speed digital monolithic VHSIC wafer scale CPUAX SuperChip. Eight packaged CPUAX SuperChips underwent full functional tests on a Hewlett Packard 8200 system with a customized high-speed interface board. All macrocells responded optimally over the full ranges of power (3.0 to 3.3 volts) and temperature (-55 to+125 degrees C), and at frequencies up to 90 MHz. Some response degradation was noticed between 90 and 100 MHz.<
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