Techniques for reducing the number of layers in a multilayer signal routing device

1. A method for reducing the number of layers in a multilayer signal routing device, the multilayer signal routing device having a plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers for routing a plurality of electrical signals thereon, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of electrically conductive vias in the multilayer signal routing device for electrically connecting at least two of the plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers, the plurality of electrically conductive vias being arranged so as to form at least one channel in at least one other of the plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive vias form a part of an array of a plurality of electrically conductive contacts, wherein the at least one channel is at least partially formed beneath at least some of the plurality of electrically conductive vias and traverses the array; and

grouping at least a portion of the plurality of electrical signals based at least in part upon their proximity to the at least one channel so that they may be efficiently routed therein.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel corresponds in shape to the arrangement of the plurality of electrically conductive vias.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one other of the plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers is not located between the at least two electrically connected electrically conductive signal path layers.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of electrically conductive contacts are respectively associated with at least some of the plurality of electrical signals, wherein electrical signals that are respectively associated with electrically conductive contacts located along a perimeter of the array are not routed in the at least one channel.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

determining an optimum number of the at least one channel based upon at least one of: a number of electrically conductive signal paths that fit between electrically conductive contacts; a number of electrically conductive signal paths that fit within the at least one channel; a number of electrical signals that are respectively associated with electrically conductive contacts located along the perimeter of the array that are not routed in the at least one channel; and a number of electrically conductive contacts located along the perimeter of the array that are respectively associated with electrical signals that are not routed in the at least one channel.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

further grouping at least a portion of the grouped plurality of electrical signals into subgroups based at least in part upon their proximity to the perimeter of the array.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

routing the subgroups of electrical signals located furthest from the perimeter of the array in the at least one channel.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

routing the subgroups of electrical signals located closest to the perimeter of the array in the at least one channel only after the subgroups of electrical signals located furthest from the perimeter of the array have been routed.

9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

routing the subgroups of electrical signals located closest to the perimeter of the array outside the at least one channel.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

pairing the subgroups of electrical signals located closer to the perimeter of the array with the subgroups of electrical signals located further from the perimeter of the array so as to improve routing efficiency.

11. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one channel is at least partially substantially diamond-shaped so as to allow electrical signals to be routed around electrically conductive contacts disposed within a center portion of the diamond shape.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

shifting the locations of the electrically conductive contacts disposed within the center portion of the diamond shape so as to allow additional electrical signals to be routed around the electrically conductive contacts disposed within the center portion of the diamond shape.

13. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one channel includes a center channel formed substantially through a center of the array.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the center channel is located substantially through the center of the array based upon at least one of: a number of electrical signals identified as differential signal pairs that may span the center channel; even distribution of electrical signal routing within the center channel; even distribution of electrical signal routing within others of the at least one channel; even distribution of electrical signal routing outside the center channel; and even distribution of electrical signal routing outside others of the at least one channel.

15. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

forming a separate channel substantially through a center of the array, wherein the separate channel is located substantially through the center of the array based upon at least one of: a number of electrical signals identified as differential signal pairs that may span the separate channel; even distribution of electrical signal routing within the separate channel; even distribution of electrical signal routing within the at least one channel; even distribution of electrical signal routing outside the separate channel; and even distribution of electrical signal routing outside the at least one channel.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

forming at least one additional electrically conductive via in the multilayer signal routing device for electrically connecting at least two power/ground layers of the multilayer signal routing device, the at least one additional electrically conductive via being arranged so as to form at least one additional channel in at least one other of the plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

forming at least one additional electrically conductive via in the multilayer signal routing device for electrically connecting at least two power/ground layers of the multilayer signal routing device, the at least one additional electrically conductive via being arranged so as to extend the at least one channel in at least one other of the plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least three of the plurality of electrically conductive vias are arranged to form each of the at least one channel.

19. A method for reducing the number of layers in a multilayer signal routing device, the multilayer signal routing device having a plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers for routing a plurality of electrical signals thereon, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of electrically conductive contacts on a first of the plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers, at least a portion of the plurality of electrically conductive contacts being arranged so as to form at least one channel in at least one other of the plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive contacts form an array of electrically conductive contacts, wherein the at least one channel is at least partially formed beneath at least some of the plurality of electrically conductive contacts and traverses the array; and

routing at least a portion of the plurality of electrical signals to or from at least some of the arranged plurality of electrically conductive contacts on the first of the plurality of electrically conductive signal path layers.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein at least three of the arranged plurality of electrically conductive contacts are arranged to form each of the at least one channel.