US Patent 11282775 Chip package assembly with stress decoupled interconnect layer

A chip package assembly having pillars extending between an interconnect layer and solder balls, and methods for manufacturing the same are provide. The pillars decouple stress from the interconnect layer, making crack initiation and propagation to the interconnect layer less likely, resulting in a more robust assembly. In one example, a chip package assembly is provided that includes an integrated circuit (IC) die, an interconnect layer and a plurality of pillars. The IC dies includes a die body containing functional circuitry. The body has a lower surface, an upper surface and sides. The IC die includes contact pads coupled to the functional circuitry and exposed on the lower surface of the die body. The interconnect layer is formed on the lower surface of the body. The plurality of pillars are formed on the interconnect layer and electrically couple to the contact pads through routing formed through the interconnect layer.