Compatible IC packages and methods for ensuring migration path

An extended integrated circuit (extended IC) having a superset of functional circuit elements as compared to a reference integrated circuit (reference IC), said reference IC having pin elements for external connection arranged in a layout pattern, said extended IC comprising:

• a plurality of pin elements for external connection;
• and
• a subset of said plurality of pin elements,
• wherein said subset of pin elements is arranged in a layout pattern derived from said layout pattern of said reference IC, and
• wherein each pin element within said subset of pin elements of said extended IC has a corresponding operational function as a pin element in a corresponding location in said layout pattern of said reference IC.

An extended integrated circuit (extended IC) having additional circuit elements as compared to a reference integrated circuit (reference IC), said reference IC having a reference-layout pattern for pin elements, said extended IC comprising:

• a plurality of pin elements;
• and
• an extended-layout pattern for said pin elements,
• wherein said reference-layout pattern is replicated within a migration perimeter of said extended-layout pattern, and
• wherein each pin element within said migration perimeter has an assigned function that corresponds to the assigned function of a pin element in a corresponding location in said reference-layout pattern.