A multidisciplinary design and optimization methodology for ball grid array packages using artificial neural networks

A systematic multidisciplinary electronics packaging design and optimization methodology, which takes into account the complexity of multiple design trade-offs, operated in conjunction with the artificial neural networks (ANNs) technique is presented. To demonstrate its capability, this method is applied to a plastic ball grid array package design. Multidisciplinary criteria including thermal, structural, electromagnetic leakage, and cost are optimized simultaneously using key design parameters as variables. A simplified routability criterion is also considered as a constraint. ANNs are used for thermal and structural performance predictions which resulted in large reduction in computational time. The present methodology is able to provide the designers a tool for systematic evaluation of the design trade-offs which are represented in the objective function. This methodology can be applied to any electronic product design at any packaging level from the system level to the chip level.