Thomas & Betts Unveils Breakthrough In High Density Interconnection Technology for High-Speed Microprocessors.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1997--

Metallized Particle Interconnect - MPI - Technology has Potential

to Triple Current I/O Density

Thomas & Betts (NYSE: TNB) today announced the development of a new material technology that promises to be a breakthrough solution to the challenge of designing high-density interconnections for attaching high I/O microprocessors and ASICs to PC boards. Designated by the company as MPI (metallized particle interconnect) technology, the new material is designed to provide an electrically and mechanically reliable, low cost interconnection method for high density PC board components without the use of metal pins or solder techniques.

Developed by Thomas & Betts in conjunction with several major customers, the patented MPI technology consists of a proprietary polymer material with embedded metallized particles. The material is formed into tiny micro-columns just .635 mm in diameter and 1mm high which align with the I/O contacts of the packaged silicon device and the landing pad contacts of the PC board. When mechanically compressed by a frame holding the microprocessor, the metallized particles inside the compressed columns join to form a conductive path between the contacts.

This conductive path has similar electrical properties to a metal pin or solder ball contact, featuring inductance values measured at 0.2nH. A heatsink can be also incorporated into the microprocessor frame to provide additional compression and dissipate excess heat.

According to Roy Burton, president of Thomas & Betts Electronics Group, the MPI technology was developed as a solution to the increased I/O density in microprocessors. "One of the challenges for computer system designers has been to provide an interconnection path for these densely integrated silicon devices onto the motherboard. In fact, one of the barriers to integrating even more functions into a single chip has been the I/O limitations of conventional interconnect technology roughly 350 for metal pin arrays and about 700 for solder ball grid arrays on 1mm pitch," said Burton. "Thomas & Betts MPI technology has the potential to double and eventually triple this upper limit for I/O."

"With a higher density interconnection technology such as MPI, system designers will be able to integrate the functions of several chips into a single piece of silicon," Burton explained, "thereby reducing the number of components, interconnections and overall size of their PC boards. These factors, in turn, provide for higher reliability, faster signal speeds and lower manufacturing costs."

According to Burton, the MPI technology is being rapidly accepted by the customers who have participated in development programs with Thomas & Betts, and is expected to be designed into the next generation of high-end computer workstations, servers and mainframes as those manufacturers seek to solve the interconnect challenges of high I/O microprocessors and ASICs used extensively in these applications.

While Burton indicated that it was premature to discuss the initial selling price of interconnects using the new technology, he speculated that the ultimate cost of MPI interconnects would be lower than that of conventional sockets less than 5 cents per contact.

Headquartered in Memphis, TN, Thomas & Betts Corporation is a leading producer of connectors and components for worldwide electrical and electronics markets, with 70 manufacturing and distribution facilities, including 16 located outside the U.S. Brand names include: Augat(R), Snap-N-Seal(R), Holtite(R), LRC(R), MOE(R), Stax(TM), Alcoswitch(TM), ALL-LAN(R), RDI(R), O.M.N.I.(TM), Nevada-Western(R), Ansley(R), Buchanan(R), Russellstoll(R), Flexstrip(R), Holmberg(R), Ty-Rap(R), Ty-Fast(R), Ty-Duct(TM), Sta-Kon(R), Shrink-Kon(R) and Shield-Kon(R). The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:TNB).

For more information about Thomas & Betts products, call 1-800-888-0211 or your local Thomas & Betts distributor; or contact: Thomas & Betts Corporation, 1555 Lynnfield Road, Memphis, TN 38119. -0-

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