Effects of Advanced Packaging and Stackup Design
December 26, 2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Kris Moyer teaches several PCB design classes for IPC and Sacramento State, including advanced PCB design. His advanced design classes take on some really interesting topics, including the impact of a designer’s choice of advanced packaging upon the design of the layer stackup.
Kris shares his thoughts on the relationship between packaging and stackup, what PCB designers need to know, and why he believes, “The rules we used to live by are no longer valid.”
Kris, tell us how advanced packaging can impact stackup design. What challenges do designers need to be aware of?
Kris Moyer: With advanced packaging you usually need to use HDI or UHDI technology. This usually means sequential lamination. With sequential lamination you need to select materials that can survive multiple lamination thermal cycles.
When we were discussing advanced packaging and stackup design recently, you said, “The rules we used to live by are no longer valid.” Expand on that a little bit.
As I mentioned, your selection of materials is now further restricted by the need for materials that survive multiple lamination cycles. Additionally, since we are adding layers one at a time and need plating on all layers, not just the outer layers, the copper design is now more difficult. Also, since we are adding layers one at a time, we can now have some select instances of unbalanced Z-axis and still meet bow and twist. Furthermore, many of the ultra-thin dielectric layers used in HDI/UHDI are just resin-coated copper without any reinforcement, so CTE/FA can be more of an issue.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the December 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Indium to Feature Materials Solutions for Semiconductor Packaging and Assembly at ECTC
05/22/2025 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation®, an industry leader in innovative materials solutions for semiconductor packaging and assembly, will feature its lineup of high-reliability products at the Electronics Component and Technology Conference (ECTC), taking place May 27-30 in Dallas, Texas.
HBM4 Raises the Bar on Manufacturing Complexity, Premium Expected to Exceed 30%
05/22/2025 | TrendForceTrendForce's latest findings reveal that demand for AI servers continues to accelerate the development of HBM technologies, with the three major suppliers actively advancing their HBM4 product roadmaps.
Siemens Democratizes AI-driven PCB Design for Small and Medium Electronics Teams
05/21/2025 | SiemensSiemens Digital Industries Software announced today that it is making its AI-enhanced electronic systems design technology more accessible to small and mid-sized businesses (SMB) with PADS™ Pro Essentials software and Xpedition™ Standard software.
Zuken Launches CR-8000 2025 with AI-Enhanced Support for High-Speed, High-Density PCB Design
05/21/2025 | ZukenZuken, a global leader in electronic design automation (EDA) solutions, has announced the release of the 2025 updates to its flagship PCB design applications, CR-8000 Design Gateway and Design Force.
Global PCB Connections: Rigid-flex and Flexible PCBs—The Backbone of Modern Electronics
05/20/2025 | Jerome Larez -- Column: Global PCB ConnectionsIn the past decade, flex and rigid-flex PCB technology has become the fastest-growing market segment. As an increasing number of PCB companies develop the capabilities to fabricate this technology, PCB designers are becoming comfortable incorporating these designs into their products.