Evolution, challenge, and outlook of TSV, 3D IC integration and 3d silicon integration

3D integration consists of 3D IC packaging, 3D IC integration, and 3D Si integration. They are different and in general the TSV (through-silicon via) separates 3D IC packaging from 3D IC/Si integrations since the latter two use TSV but 3D IC packaging does not. TSV (with a new concept that every chip or interposer could have two surfaces with circuits) is the heart of 3D IC/Si integrations and is the focus of this investigation. The origin of 3D integration is presented. Also, the evolution, challenges, and outlook of 3D IC/Si integrations are discussed as well as their road maps are presented. Finally, a few generic, low-cost, and thermal-enhanced 3D IC integration system-in-packages (SiPs) with various passive TSV interposers are proposed.