Multimode signaling on decoupled input/output and power channels
A multimode system with at least two end points may include a multimode signaling path that, in some embodiments, is a multimode cable or a multimode board and is pluggably connectable to packages at each end point. Each end point may include a processor die package coupled to a socket. The socket may also receive a connector that couples the cable to the package. Power supply signals and input/output signals may be decoupled at each end point.
1. A multimode signaling system comprising:
a pair of end points, each end point including an integrated circuit die;
a multimode signaling path to carry multimode input/output signals between said end points;
a power supply for each of said end points, said power supply to supply power signals to said end point decoupled from said input/output signals; and
at least one of said end points including a connector to connect multimode signals from said multimode signaling path to said die, said connector being a pluggable connector.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the multimode signaling path includes a multimode board and one of said end points is a die-down, power-up package.
3. The system of claim 2 including a voltage regulator module plugged into the top of said package.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein said pluggable connector is between said multimode board and said package.
5. The system of claim 4 including a heat sink coupled to said package, said heat sink sandwiching said multimode board between said heat sink and said connector.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the multimode signaling path extends from the die in one end point to the die in the other end point without encountering a discontinuity that creates a return loss greater than −12 decibels over the entire frequency range of interest.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the multimode signaling path includes a multimode cable and one of said end points includes a socket, a die package mounted on said socket, and a high-speed connector coupled to said cable and mounted on said package.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said socket is coupled to a printed circuit board.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the multimode signaling path includes a multimode cable and one of said end points includes a split socket with a first socket region to receive a die package and a second socket region to receive the cable.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein said package is coreless.