OneStopGate.Com
OnestopGate   OnestopGate
   Saturday, November 23, 2024 Login  
OnestopGate
Home | Overview | Syllabus | Tutorials | FAQs | Downloads | Recommended Websites | Advertise | Payments | Contact Us | Forum
OneStopGate

GATE Resources
Gate Articles
Gate Books
Gate Colleges 
Gate Downloads 
Gate Faqs
Gate Jobs
Gate News 
Gate Sample Papers
Training Institutes

GATE Overview
Overview
GATE Eligibility
Structure Of GATE
GATE Coaching Centers
Colleges Providing M.Tech/M.E.
GATE Score
GATE Results
PG with Scholarships
Article On GATE
Admission Process For M.Tech/ MCP-PhD
GATE Topper 2012-13
GATE Forum




GATE 2025 Exclusive
Organizing Institute
Important Dates
How to Apply
Discipline Codes
GATE 2025 Exam Structure

GATE 2025 Syllabus
Aerospace Engg..
Agricultural Engg..
Architecture and Planning
Chemical Engg..
Chemistry
Civil Engg..
Computer Science / IT
Electronics & Communication Engg..
Electrical Engg..
Engineering Sciences
Geology and Geophysics
Instrumentation Engineering
Life Sciences
Mathematics
Mechanical Engg..
Metallurgical Engg..
Mining Engg..
Physics
Production & Industrial Engg..
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science

GATE Study Material
Aerospace Engg..
Agricultural Engg..
Chemical Engg..
Chemistry
Civil Engg..
Computer Science / IT
Electronics & Communication Engg..
Electrical Engg..
Engineering Sciences
Instrumentation Engg..
Life Sciences
Mathematics
Mechanical Engg..
Physics
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Textile Engineering  and Fibre Science

GATE Preparation
GATE Pattern
GATE Tips N Tricks
Compare Evaluation
Sample Papers 
Gate Downloads 
Experts View

CEED 2013
CEED Exams
Eligibility
Application Forms
Important Dates
Contact Address
Examination Centres
CEED Sample Papers

Discuss GATE
GATE Forum
Exam Cities
Contact Details
Bank Details

Miscellaneous
Advertisment
Contact Us


Home » GATE Study Material » Electronics and Telecommunications » Electronic Components » The Ball Grid Array, BGA, package

The Ball Grid Array, BGA, package

Looking for GATE Preparation Material? Join & Get here now!

** Gate 2013 Question Papers.. ** CEED 2013 Results.. ** Gate 2013 Question Papers With Solutions.. ** GATE 2013 CUT-OFFs.. ** GATE 2013 Results.. **

The Ball Grid Array, BGA, package

Ball Grid Array, BGA

- an overview or reference tutorial providing the basics about what is a Ball Grid Array or BGA and BGA packages used for SMT technology circuit boards, and BGA rework and BGA repair.

A Ball Grid Array or BGA package is a form of surface mount technology, or SMT package that is being used increasingly for integrated circuits. The BGA offers many advantages and as a result it is being used increasingly in the manufacture of electronic circuits.

The Ball Grid Array, BGA package was developed out of the need to have a more robust and convenient package for integrated circuits with large numbers of pins. With the levels of integration rising, some integrated circuits had in excess of 100 pins. The conventional quad flat pack style packages had very thin and close spaced pins, and these were very easy to damage, even in a controlled environment. Additionally they required very close control of the soldering process otherwise the level of solder bridges and poor joints rose. From a design viewpoint, the pin density was such that taking the tracks away from the IC also proved to be problematic as there could be congestion in some areas. The BGA package was developed to overcome these problems, and improve reliability from the soldered joints.


 

What is a BGA package?

The Ball Grid Array, BGA, uses a different approach to the connections to that used for more conventional surface mount connections. Other packages such as the quad flat pack, QFP, used the sides of the package for the connections. This meant that there was limited space for the pins which had to be spaced very closely and made much smaller to provide the required level of connectivity. The Ball Grid Array, BGA, uses the underside of the package, where there is a considerable area for the connections.

The pins are placed in a grid pattern (hence the name Ball Grid Array) on the surface of the chip carrier. Also rather than having pins to provide the connectivity, pads with balls of solder are used as the method of connection. On the printed circuit board, PCB, onto which the BGA device is to be fitted there is a matching set of copper pads to provide the required connectivity.

Apart from the improvement in connectivity, BGAs have other advantages. They offer a lower thermal resistance between the silicon chip itself than quad flat pack devices. This allows heat generated by the integrated circuit inside the package to be conducted out of the device onto the PCB faster and more effectively. In this way it is possible for BGA devices to generate more heat without the need for special cooling measures.

In addition to this the fact that the conductors are on the underside of the chip carrier means that the leads within the chip are shorter. Accordingly unwanted lead inductance levels are lower, and in this way, Ball Grid Array devices are able to offer a higher level of performance than their QFP counterparts.


 

BGA assembly

When BGAs were first introduced, BGA assembly was one of the key concerns. With the pads not accessible in the normal manner would BGA assembly reach the standards that could be achieved by more traditional SMT packages. In fact, although soldering may have appeared to be a problem for a Ball Grid Array, BGA, device, it was found that standard reflow methods were very suitable for these devices and joint reliability was very good. Since then BGA assembly methods have improved, and it is generally found that BGA soldering is particularly reliable.

In the soldering process, the overall assembly is then heated. The solder balls have a very carefully controlled amount of solder, and when heated in the soldering process, the solder melts. Surface tension causes the molten solder to hold the package in the correct alignment with the circuit board, while the solder cools and solidifies. The composition of the solder alloy and the soldering temperature are carefully chosen so that the solder does not completely melt, but stays semi-liquid, allowing each ball to stay separate from its neighbours.

As many products now utilise BGA packages as standard, BGA assembly methods are now well established and can be accommodated by most manufacturers with ease. Accordingly there should be no concerns about using BGA devices in a design.


 

Ball Grid Array, BGA, inspection

One of the problems with BGA devices is that it is not possible to view the soldered connections using optical methods. As a result there was some suspicion about the technology when it was first introduced and many manufacturers undertook tests to ensure that they were able to solder the devices satisfactorily. The main problem with soldering Ball Grid Array devices, is that sufficient heat must be applied to ensure that all the balls in the grid melt sufficiently for every joint to be satisfactorily made.

The joints cannot be tested fully by checking the electrical performance. It is possible that the joint may not be adequately made and that over time it will fail. The only satisfactory means of inspection is to use X-ray inspection as this means of inspection is able to look through the device at the soldered joint beneath.

It is found that once the heat profile for the solder machine is set up correctly, the BGA devices solder very well and few problems are encountered, thereby making BGA assembly possible for most applications.


 

Ball Grid Array, BGA rework

As might be anticipated, it is not easy to rework boards containing BGAs unless the correct equipment is available. If a BGA is suspected as being faulty, then it is possible to remove the device. This is achieved by locally heating the device to melt the solder underneath it.

In the BGA rework process, the heating is often achieved removed in a specialised rework station. This comprises a jig fitted with infrared heater, a thermocouple to monitor the temperature and a vacuum device for lifting the package. Great care is needed to ensure that only the BGA is heated and removed. Other devices nearby need to be affected as little as possible otherwise they may be damaged.


 

BGA repair

Once removed, the BGA can be replaced with a new one. Occasionally it may be possible to refurbish or repair a BGA that has been removed. This BGA repair may be an attractive proposition if the chip is expensive and it is known to be a working device once removed. Undertake a BGA repair it needs to have the solder balls replaced. This BGA repair can be undertaken using some of the small ready-made solder balls that are manufactured and sold for this purpose.


 

Summary

Ball Grid Array, BGA, devices are now widely used. Although they do have some drawbacks, their advantages of being more mechanically robust, providing high levels of connectivity, improved heat transfer, and shorter lead connection lengths outweigh these problems. Accordingly they are being used increasingly in many areas of electronics design and BGA assembly methods are now well established.



Discussion Center

Discuss/
Query

Papers/
Syllabus

Feedback/
Suggestion

Yahoo
Groups

Sirfdosti
Groups

Contact
Us

MEMBERS LOGIN
  
Email ID:
Password:

  Forgot Password?
 New User? Register!

INTERVIEW EBOOK
Get 9,000+ Interview Questions & Answers in an eBook. Interview Question & Answer Guide
  • 9,000+ Interview Questions
  • All Questions Answered
  • 5 FREE Bonuses
  • Free Upgrades
GATE RESOURCES
 
  • Gate Books
  • Training Institutes
  • Gate FAQs
  • GATE BOOKS
     
  • Mechanical Engineeering Books
  • Robotics Automations Engineering Books
  • Civil Engineering Books
  • Chemical Engineering Books
  • Environmental Engineering Books
  • Electrical Engineering Books
  • Electronics Engineering Books
  • Information Technology Books
  • Software Engineering Books
  • GATE Preparation Books
  • Exciting Offers



    GATE Exam, Gate 2009, Gate Papers, Gate Preparation & Related Pages


    GATE Overview | GATE Eligibility | Structure Of GATE | GATE Training Institutes | Colleges Providing M.Tech/M.E. | GATE Score | GATE Results | PG with Scholarships | Article On GATE | GATE Forum | GATE 2009 Exclusive | GATE 2009 Syllabus | GATE Organizing Institute | Important Dates for GATE Exam | How to Apply for GATE | Discipline / Branch Codes | GATE Syllabus for Aerospace Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Agricultural Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Architecture and Planning | GATE Syllabus for Chemical Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Chemistry | GATE Syllabus for Civil Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Computer Science / IT | GATE Syllabus for Electronics and Communication Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Engineering Sciences | GATE Syllabus for Geology and Geophysics | GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Life Sciences | GATE Syllabus for Mathematics | GATE Syllabus for Mechanical Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Metallurgical Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Mining Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Physics | GATE Syllabus for Production and Industrial Engineering | GATE Syllabus for Pharmaceutical Sciences | GATE Syllabus for Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | GATE Preparation | GATE Pattern | GATE Tips & Tricks | GATE Compare Evaluation | GATE Sample Papers | GATE Downloads | Experts View on GATE | CEED 2009 | CEED 2009 Exam | Eligibility for CEED Exam | Application forms of CEED Exam | Important Dates of CEED Exam | Contact Address for CEED Exam | CEED Examination Centres | CEED Sample Papers | Discuss GATE | GATE Forum of OneStopGATE.com | GATE Exam Cities | Contact Details for GATE | Bank Details for GATE | GATE Miscellaneous Info | GATE FAQs | Advertisement on GATE | Contact Us on OneStopGATE |
    Copyright © 2024. One Stop Gate.com. All rights reserved Testimonials |Link To Us |Sitemap |Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions|About Us
    Our Portals : Academic Tutorials | Best eBooksworld | Beyond Stats | City Details | Interview Questions | India Job Forum | Excellent Mobiles | Free Bangalore | Give Me The Code | Gog Logo | Free Classifieds | Jobs Assist | Interview Questions | One Stop FAQs | One Stop GATE | One Stop GRE | One Stop IAS | One Stop MBA | One Stop SAP | One Stop Testing | Web Hosting | Quick Site Kit | Sirf Dosti | Source Codes World | Tasty Food | Tech Archive | Software Testing Interview Questions | Free Online Exams | The Galz | Top Masala | Vyom | Vyom eBooks | Vyom International | Vyom Links | Vyoms | Vyom World
    C Interview Questions | C++ Interview Questions | Send Free SMS | Placement Papers | SMS Jokes | Cool Forwards | Romantic Shayari