Split ball grid array pad for multi-chip modules

A method of fabricating a multi-chip module, said method comprising:

• providing a substrate containing multiple wiring layers, each wiring layer having multiple wires, first pads on a top surface of the substrate and second pads on a bottom surface of the substrate, wherein one pad of the second pads is a split pad having a first section and a non-contiguous second section separated by a gap, wherein the first section is connected by a first wire of the multiple wires to a pad of a first group of the first pads, wherein the non-contiguous second section is connected by a second wire of the multiple wires to a pad of a second group of the first pads, and wherein another pad of the second pads is a conventional pad having a contiguous top surface and a contiguous bottom surface;
• placing a first solder ball in direct physical contact with the contiguous bottom surface of the conventional pad and connected to a next level of packaging under the conventional pad, wherein the first solder ball has a first height in a first direction, and wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the contiguous bottom surface of the conventional pad;
• placing a second solder ball in direct physical contact with the first section and the non-contiguous second section of the split pad, wherein the second solder ball has a second height in the first direction, and wherein the second height is sufficiently less than the first height such that the second solder ball is not connected to the next level of packaging,
• attaching a first active component to the first group of the first pads;
• and
• attaching a second active component to the second group of the first pads.