Distributed on-package millimeter-wave radio
Embodiments described herein generally relate to phased array antenna systems or packages and techniques of making and using the systems and packages. A phased array antenna package may include a distributed phased array antenna comprising (1) a plurality of antenna sub-arrays, which may each include a plurality of antennas, (2) a plurality of Radio Frequency Dies (RFDs), each of the RFDs located proximate and electrically coupled by a trace of a plurality of traces to a corresponding antenna sub-array of the plurality of antenna sub-arrays, and (3) wherein each trace of the plurality of traces configured to electrically couple an antenna of the plurality of antennas to the RFD located proximate the antenna, wherein each trace of the plurality of traces is configured to transmit millimeter wave (mm-wave) radio signals, and wherein the plurality of traces are each of a substantially uniform length.
1. A method of forming a distributed, on-package radio, the method comprising:
forming a first buildup layer and situating first antennas of first and second antenna sub-arrays in the first buildup layer;
forming a second buildup layer on the first buildup layer and situating second antennas of the first and second antenna sub-arrays in the second buildup layer;
forming a third buildup layer on the second buildup layer and situating traces on, or least partially in, the third buildup layer, each of the traces including a first end electrically connected to an antenna of the first and second antennas; and
forming a fourth buildup layer on the third buildup layer and situating radio frequency dies (RFDs) on, or at least partially in the fourth buildup layer;
wherein a second end of each of the traces is electrically connected to an RFD of the RFDs.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming recesses in the fourth buildup layer; and
wherein the RFDs are situated in respective recesses.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein each antenna is electrically coupled to the RFD of the RFDs situated most proximate the antenna.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein each trace of the traces is configured to transmit millimeter wave (mm-wave) radio signals.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein a maximum difference in length between traces is no more than two wavelengths of a signal to be carried by the traces.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein:
the RFDs include a first RFD and a second RFD;
the first RFD is situated within a footprint of the first antenna sub-array and electrically coupled to each of the antennas of the first antenna sub-array through first traces of the traces; and
the second RFD is situated within a footprint of the second antenna sub-array and electrically coupled to each of the antennas of the second antenna sub-array through second traces of the traces.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein each antenna sub-array is electrically coupled to only one RFD of the RFDs.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second antenna sub-arrays are situated in a rectangular configuration.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
situating a plurality of male or female connection features on the fourth buildup layer, wherein the male or female connection features are configured to couple to female or male connection features on a logic die package.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
coupling the logic die to each of the RFDs through the male or female connection features, the logic die configured to send or receive direct current (DC) or low-frequency signals to or from the RFDs.