Integrated device and method for routing a signal through the device

Claim 2

An integrated device, comprising: a package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the package and operable to receive a signal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the package in alignment with the first package terminal; and an integrated circuit mounted to the package and having a circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal and having a circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, the integrated circuit operable to electrically couple the signal from the circuit input terminal, through the integrated circuit, to the circuit output terminal.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second package terminals comprise respective conductive balls.

Claim 4

The device of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit is disposed within the package.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 wherein the package comprises a substrate having a first conductive path operable to couple the signal from the first package terminal to the circuit input terminal and having a second conductive path operable to couple the signal from the circuit output terminal to the second package terminal.

Claim 6

The device of claim 1 wherein the package comprises a substrate having a first conductive path operable to couple the signal from the first package terminal to the circuit input terminal and having a second conductive path operable to couple the signal from the circuit output terminal to the second package terminal; and wherein the integrated circuit is mounted to the substrate.

Claim 7

An integrated device, comprising: a package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the package; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the package in alignment with the first package terminal; and an integrated circuit mounted to the package and having a first circuit terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a second circuit terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a first conductive path that electrically couples the first circuit terminal to the second circuit terminal.

Claim 8

An integrated device, comprising: a package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the package; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the package in alignment with the first package terminal; and an integrated circuit mounted to the package and having a first circuit terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a second circuit terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a first conductive path that electrically couples the first circuit terminal to the second circuit terminal.

Claim 9

The device of claim 6 wherein the package comprises a substrate having a first conductive path that electrically couples the first package terminal to the first circuit terminal and having a second conductive path that electrically couples the second package terminal to the second circuit terminal.

Claim 10

The device of claim 6 wherein the package comprises a printed circuit board having a first conductive trace electrically connecting the first package terminal to the first circuit terminal and having a second conductive trace electrically connecting the second package terminal to the second circuit terminal.

Claim 11

The device of claim 6 wherein the package comprises a layer that encapsulates the integrated circuit.

Claim 12

The device of claim 6 , further comprising: a third package terminal disposed on the second side of the package and electrically coupled to the second package terminal; and a fourth package terminal disposed on the first side of the package and electrically coupled to the third package terminal.

Claim 13

The device of claim 6 , further comprising: a third package terminal disposed on the second side of the package and electrically coupled to the second package terminal; and a fourth package terminal disposed on the first side of the package and aligned with and electrically coupled to the third package terminal.

Claim 14

The device of claim 6 , further comprising: a third package terminal disposed on the second side of the package; a coupler disposed on the package and having a conductive path electrically coupled between the second and third package terminals; and a fourth package terminal disposed on the first side of the package and electrically coupled to the third package terminal.

Claim 15

The device of claim 6 , further comprising: a third package terminal disposed on the second side of the package; a termination circuit disposed on the package and electrically coupled between the second and third package terminals; and a fourth package terminal disposed on the first side of the package and electrically coupled to the third package terminal.

Claim 16

An integrated-circuit module, comprising: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side and operable to receive a signal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal and having a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, the integrated circuit operable to couple the signal from the first circuit input terminal, through the integrated circuit, to the first circuit output terminal; and a second integrated device including: a second package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to and operable to receive the signal from the second package terminal of the first device; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the second device and having a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, the second integrated circuit operable to couple the signal from the second circuit input terminal, through the second integrated circuit, to the second circuit output terminal.

Claim 17

An integrated-circuit module, comprising: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side and operable to receive a signal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal and having a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, the integrated circuit operable to couple the signal from the first circuit input terminal, through the integrated circuit, to the first circuit output terminal; and a second integrated device including: a second package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to and operable to receive the signal from the second package terminal of the first device; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the second device and having a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, the second integrated circuit operable to couple the signal from the second circuit input terminal, through the second integrated circuit, to the second circuit output terminal.

Claim 18

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 wherein: the first package comprises a first substrate having a first conductive path operable to couple the signal from the first package terminal of the first device to the first circuit input terminal of the first integrated circuit and having a second conductive path operable to couple the signal from the first circuit output terminal of the first integrated circuit to the second package terminal of the first device; and the second package comprises a second substrate having a first conductive path operable to couple the signal from the first package terminal of the second device to the second circuit input terminal of the second integrated circuit and having a second conductive path operable to couple the signal from the second circuit output terminal of the second integrated circuit to the second package terminal of the second device.

Claim 19

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 wherein the first device includes third and fourth package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the first package, the fourth package terminal coupled to the second package terminal of the second device and to the third package terminal, the fourth package terminal operable to receive the signal from the second package terminal of the second device and to couple the signal to the third package terminal.

Claim 20

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 wherein: the second device includes a third package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package, the third package terminal coupled to and operable to receive the signal from the second package terminal of the second device; and the first device includes third and fourth package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the first package, the fourth package terminal coupled to the third package terminals of the first and second devices, the fourth package terminal operable to receive the signal from the third package terminal of the second device and to couple the signal to the third package terminal of the first device.

Claim 21

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 wherein: the second device includes a third package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package, the third package terminal coupled to and operable to receive the signal from the second package terminal of the second device; and the first device includes third and fourth package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the first package and aligned with one another, the fourth package terminal coupled to the third package terminals of the first and second devices, the fourth package terminal operable to receive the signal from the third package terminal of the second device and to couple the signal to the third package terminal of the first device.

Claim 22

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 wherein: the second device includes third and fourth inter-coupled package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the second package, the fourth package terminal coupled to and operable to receive the signal from the second package terminal of the second device; and the first device includes third and fourth package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the first package and aligned with one another, the fourth package terminal of the first device coupled to the third package terminals of the first and second devices, the fourth package terminal of the first device operable to receive the signal from the third package terminal of the second device and to couple the signal to the third package terminal of the first device.

Claim 23

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 wherein: the second device includes third and fourth inter-coupled package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the second package and aligned with one another, the fourth package terminal coupled to and operable to receive the signal from the second package terminal of the second device; and the first device includes third and fourth package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the first package and aligned with one another, the fourth package terminal of the first device coupled to the third package terminals of the first and second devices, the fourth package terminal of the first device operable to receive the signal from the third package terminal of the second device and to couple the signal to the third package terminal of the first device.

Claim 24

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 , further comprising: a termination circuit coupled to and operable to receive the signal from the second package terminal of the second device; wherein the first device includes third and fourth package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the first package, the fourth package terminal coupled to the termination circuit and to the third package terminal, the fourth package terminal operable to receive the signal from the termination circuit and to couple the signal to the third package terminal.

Claim 25

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 wherein the second device is disposed on the first device.

Claim 26

The integrated-circuit module of claim 14 wherein the second device is disposed adjacent to the first device.

Claim 27

An integrated-circuit module, comprising: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a first conductive path electrically coupled to the first circuit input and output terminals; and a second integrated device including: a second package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the first device; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of and aligned with the first package terminal of the second package; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the first device, a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, and a second conductive path electrically coupled to the second circuit input and output terminals.

Claim 28

An integrated-circuit module, comprising: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a first conductive path electrically coupled to the first circuit input and output terminals; and a second integrated device including: a second package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the first device; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of and aligned with the first package terminal of the second package; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the first device, a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, and a second conductive path electrically coupled to the second circuit input and output terminals.

Claim 29

The integrated-circuit module of claim 24 wherein: the first package comprises a first substrate having a third conductive path coupled to the first package terminal of the first device and to the first circuit input terminal of the first integrated circuit and having a fourth conductive path coupled to the first circuit output terminal of the first integrated circuit and to the second package terminal of the first device; and the second package comprises a second substrate having a fifth conductive path coupled to the first package terminal of the second device and to the second circuit input terminal of the second integrated circuit and having a sixth conductive path coupled to the second circuit output terminal of the second integrated circuit and to the second package terminal of the second device.

Claim 30

The integrated-circuit module of claim 24 wherein the first device includes third and fourth package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the first package, the fourth package terminal coupled to the second package terminal of the second device and to the third package terminal.

Claim 31

The integrated-circuit module of claim 24 , further comprising: a termination circuit coupled to the second package terminal of the second device; and wherein the first device includes third and fourth package terminals respectively disposed on the first and second sides of the first package, the fourth package terminal coupled to the termination circuit and to the third package terminal.

Claim 32

The integrated-circuit module of claim 24 wherein the second device is disposed on the first device.

Claim 33

The integrated-circuit module of claim 24 wherein the second device is disposed adjacent to the first device.

Claim 34

An integrated-circuit module, comprising: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side and operable to receive a signal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal and having a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, the integrated circuit operable to couple the signal from the first circuit input terminal to the first circuit output terminal; a coupler having a first coupler terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal and having a second coupler terminal, the coupler operable to couple the signal from the first coupler terminal to the second coupler terminal; and a second integrated device disposed adjacent to the first packaged device and including: a second package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and operable to receive the signal from the second coupler terminal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the second package and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the first device and having a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, the second integrated circuit operable to couple the signal from the second circuit input terminal to the second circuit output terminal.

Claim 35

An integrated-circuit module, comprising: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side and operable to receive a signal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal and having a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, the integrated circuit operable to couple the signal from the first circuit input terminal to the first circuit output terminal; a coupler having a first coupler terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal and having a second coupler terminal, the coupler operable to couple the signal from the first coupler terminal to the second coupler terminal; and a second integrated device disposed adjacent to the first packaged device and including: a second package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and operable to receive the signal from the second coupler terminal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the second package and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the first device and having a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, the second integrated circuit operable to couple the signal from the second circuit input terminal to the second circuit output terminal.

Claim 36

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein: the first integrated circuit is mounted to the second side of the first package; and the second integrated circuit is mounted to the first side of the second package.

Claim 37

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein: the first integrated circuit is mounted to the second side of the first package; and the second integrated circuit is mounted to the second side of the second package.

Claim 38

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein: the first package has first and second opposite edges that extend between the first and second sides; the second package terminal of the first device is disposed along the first edge of the first package; the second package has first and second opposite edges that extend between the first and second sides; the first package terminal of the second device is disposed along the first edge of the second package; and the second edge of the first package is adjacent to the first edge of the second package.

Claim 39

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein: the first package has first and second opposite edges that extend between the first and second sides; the second package terminal of the first device is disposed along the first edge of the first package; the second package has first and second opposite edges that extend between the first and second sides; the first package terminal of the second device is disposed along the first edge of the second package; and the second edge of the first package is adjacent to the second edge of the second package.

Claim 40

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein the first and second integrated circuits each comprise a respective memory circuit.

Claim 41

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein: the first integrated circuit is disposed on the second side of the first package; the first package comprises: a first conductive pad disposed on the second side of the first package and coupled to the first circuit input terminal of the first integrated circuit; a first conductive path coupled to the first package terminal of the first device and to the first conductive pad; a second conductive pad disposed on the second side of the first package and coupled to the first circuit output terminal of the first integrated circuit; and a second conductive path coupled to the second package terminal of the first device and to the second conductive pad; and the second integrated circuit is disposed on the second side of the second package; and the second package comprises: a first conductive pad disposed on the second side of the second package and coupled to the second circuit input terminal of the second integrated circuit; a first conductive path coupled to the first package terminal of the second device and to the first conductive pad; a second conductive pad disposed on the second side of the second package and coupled to the second circuit output terminal of the second integrated circuit; and a second conductive path coupled to the second package terminal of the second device and to the second conductive pad.

Claim 42

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein: the first integrated circuit is disposed on the second side of the first package; the first package comprises: a first conductive pad disposed on the second side of the first package and coupled to the first circuit input terminal of the first integrated circuit; a first conductive path coupled to the first package terminal of the first device and to the first conductive pad; a second conductive pad disposed on the second side of the first package and coupled to the first circuit output terminal of the first integrated circuit; and a second conductive path coupled to the second package terminal of the first device and to the second conductive pad; the second integrated circuit is disposed on the first side of the second package; and the second package comprises: a first conductive pad disposed on the first side of the second package and coupled to the second circuit input terminal of the second integrated circuit; a first conductive path coupled to the first package terminal of the second device and to the first conductive pad; a second conductive pad disposed on the first side of the second package and coupled to the second circuit output terminal of the second integrated circuit; and a second conductive path coupled to the second package terminal of the second device and to the second conductive pad.

Claim 43

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein: the signal has a value; and the first integrated circuit is operable to configure the first circuit input and output terminals in response to the value of the signal.

Claim 44

The integrated-circuit module of claim 30 wherein: the signal has a value; and the second integrated circuit is operable to configure the second circuit input and output terminals in response to the value of the signal.

Claim 45

An integrated-circuit module, comprising: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a conductive path electrically coupled between the first circuit input and output terminals; a coupler having a first coupler terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, a second coupler terminal, and a conductive path electrically coupled to the first and second coupler terminals; and a second integrated device disposed adjacent to the first packaged device and including: a second package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to the second coupler terminal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the second package and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the second device, a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, and a conductive path electrically coupled between the second circuit input and output terminals.

Claim 46

An integrated-circuit module, comprising: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a conductive path electrically coupled between the first circuit input and output terminals; a coupler having a first coupler terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, a second coupler terminal, and a conductive path electrically coupled to the first and second coupler terminals; and a second integrated device disposed adjacent to the first packaged device and including: a second package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to the second coupler terminal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the second package and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the second device, a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, and a conductive path electrically coupled between the second circuit input and output terminals.

Claim 47

An electronic system, comprising: a circuit board having an input pad and an output pad; and an integrated device disposed on the circuit board and including: a package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the package and electrically coupled to the input pad; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the package in alignment with the first package terminal, the second package terminal electrically coupled to the output pad; and an integrated circuit mounted to the package and having a first circuit terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a second circuit terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a conductive path coupled to the first and second circuit terminals to form a signal path from the input pad, through the first package terminal, the first circuit terminal, the integrated circuit, the second circuit terminal, and the second package terminal, to the output pad.

Claim 48

An electronic system, comprising: a circuit board having an input pad and an output pad; and an integrated device disposed on the circuit board and including: a package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the package and electrically coupled to the input pad; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the package in alignment with the first package terminal, the second package terminal electrically coupled to the output pad; and an integrated circuit mounted to the package and having a first circuit terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a second circuit terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a conductive path coupled to the first and second circuit terminals to form a signal path from the input pad, through the first package terminal, the first circuit terminal, the integrated circuit, the second circuit terminal, and the second package terminal, to the output pad.

Claim 49

The electronic system of claim 41 , further comprising: a supply terminal; and a termination circuit having a first terminal electrically coupled to the output pad and having a second terminal electrically coupled to the supply terminal.

Claim 50

The electronic system of claim 41 , further comprising: a supply terminal; and a termination impedance having a first terminal electrically coupled to the output pad and having a second terminal electrically coupled to the supply terminal.

Claim 51

An electronic system, comprising: a circuit board having an input pad and an output pad; and an integrated-circuit module disposed on the circuit board and including: a first integrated device disposed on the circuit board and including: a first package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side and electrically coupled to the input pad; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a first conductive path electrically coupled to the first circuit input and output terminals to form a serial signal path from the input pad, through the first package terminal, the first circuit input terminal, the integrated circuit, and the first circuit output terminal, to the second package terminal; and a second integrated device including: a second package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the first device; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the second package and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device, the second package terminal electrically coupled to the output pad; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the second device, a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, and a second conductive path electrically coupled to the second circuit input and output terminals to form a serial signal path from the second package terminal of the first device, through the first package terminal of the second device, the second circuit input terminal, the second integrated circuit, the second circuit output terminal, and the second package terminal of the second device, to the output pad.

Claim 52

An electronic system, comprising: a circuit board having an input pad and an output pad; and an integrated-circuit module disposed on the circuit board and including: a first integrated device disposed on the circuit board and including: a first package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side and electrically coupled to the input pad; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a first conductive path electrically coupled to the first circuit input and output terminals to form a serial signal path from the input pad, through the first package terminal, the first circuit input terminal, the integrated circuit, and the first circuit output terminal, to the second package terminal; and a second integrated device including: a second package having first and second sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the first device; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the second package and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device, the second package terminal electrically coupled to the output pad; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the second device, a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second device, and a second conductive path electrically coupled to the second circuit input and output terminals to form a serial signal path from the second package terminal of the first device, through the first package terminal of the second device, the second circuit input terminal, the second integrated circuit, the second circuit output terminal, and the second package terminal of the second device, to the output pad.

Claim 53

The electronic system of claim 44 , further comprising: a supply terminal; and a termination circuit having a first terminal coupled to the output pad and having a second terminal coupled to the supply terminal.

Claim 54

The electronic system of claim 44 wherein the integrated-circuit module comprises a termination circuit that is coupled between the second package terminal of the first device and the first package terminal of the second device.

Claim 55

An electronic system, comprising: a circuit board having an input pad and an output pad; and an integrated-circuit module disposed on the circuit board and including: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side and electrically coupled to the input pad; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a conductive path electrically coupled to the first circuit input and output terminals to form a serial signal path from the input pad, to the first package terminal, to the first circuit input terminal, through the integrated circuit to the first circuit output terminal, and to the second package terminal; a coupler having a first coupler terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, a second coupler terminal, and a conductive path electrically coupled to the first and second coupler terminals; and a second integrated device disposed adjacent to the first packaged device and including: a second package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to the second coupler terminal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the second package and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device, the second package terminal electrically coupled to the output pad; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the second die, a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second die, and a conductive path electrically coupled to the second circuit input and output terminals to form a serial signal path from the second package terminal of the first device, through the coupler to the first package terminal of the second device, to the second circuit input terminal, through the second integrated circuit to the second circuit output terminal, to the second package terminal of the second device, and to the output pad.

Claim 56

An electronic system, comprising: a circuit board having an input pad and an output pad; and an integrated-circuit module disposed on the circuit board and including: a first integrated device including: a first package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side and electrically coupled to the input pad; a second package terminal disposed on the second side and aligned with the first package terminal; and a first integrated circuit mounted to the first package and having a first circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal, a first circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, and a conductive path electrically coupled to the first circuit input and output terminals to form a serial signal path from the input pad, to the first package terminal, to the first circuit input terminal, through the integrated circuit to the first circuit output terminal, and to the second package terminal; a coupler having a first coupler terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal, a second coupler terminal, and a conductive path electrically coupled to the first and second coupler terminals; and a second integrated device disposed adjacent to the first packaged device and including: a second package having first and second opposite sides; a first package terminal disposed on the first side of the second package and electrically coupled to the second coupler terminal; a second package terminal disposed on the second side of the second package and aligned with the first package terminal of the second device, the second package terminal electrically coupled to the output pad; and a second integrated circuit mounted to the second package and having a second circuit input terminal electrically coupled to the first package terminal of the second die, a second circuit output terminal electrically coupled to the second package terminal of the second die, and a conductive path electrically coupled to the second circuit input and output terminals to form a serial signal path from the second package terminal of the first device, through the coupler to the first package terminal of the second device, to the second circuit input terminal, through the second integrated circuit to the second circuit output terminal, to the second package terminal of the second device, and to the output pad.

Claim 57

The electronic system of claim 47 , further comprising: a supply terminal; and a termination circuit having a first terminal electrically coupled to the output pad and having a second terminal electrically coupled to the supply terminal.

Claim 58

The electronic system of claim 47 wherein the conductive path of the coupler comprises a termination circuit that is electrically coupled between the first and second coupler terminals.

Claim 61

The method of claim 50 , further comprising: electrically coupling the signal from the second terminal to a third terminal disposed on the second side of the package; and electrically coupling the signal from the third terminal to a fourth terminal disposed on the first side of the package.

Claim 62

The method of claim 50 , further comprising terminating the signal after the second terminal.

Claim 65

The method of claim 53 , further comprising: electrically coupling the signal from the fourth terminal to a fifth terminal disposed on the second side of the first package; and electrically coupling the signal from the fifth terminal to a sixth terminal disposed on the first side of the first package.

Claim 66

The method of claim 53 , further comprising: electrically coupling the signal from the fourth terminal to a fifth terminal disposed on the first side of the second package; electrically coupling the signal from the fifth terminal to a sixth terminal disposed on the second side of the first package; and electrically coupling the signal from the sixth terminal to a seventh terminal disposed on the first side of the first package.

Claim 67

The method of claim 53 , further comprising: electrically coupling the signal from the fourth terminal to a fifth terminal disposed on the second side of the second package; electrically coupling the signal from the fifth terminal to a sixth terminal disposed on the first side of the second package; electrically coupling the signal from the sixth terminal to a seventh terminal disposed on the second side of the first package; and electrically coupling the signal from the seventh terminal to an eighth terminal disposed on the first side of the first package.

Claim 68

The method of claim 53 , further comprising terminating the signal after the fourth terminal.