An electronic device includes multiple IC dies stacked in an offset
stacking arrangement on a substrate. Each IC die includes electrically
isolated step pads that facilitates transmitting a dedicated signal
between a (beginning) substrate bonding pad and a selected (terminal)
contact pad of any die by way of short bonding wires that extend up the
stack between the electrically isolated step pads. A memory devices
includes stacked memory IC die, wherein "shared" signal transmission
paths are formed by associated bonding wires that link corresponding
contact pads of each memory die, and dedicated select/control signals are
transmitted to each memory die by separate transmission paths formed in
part by associated electrically isolated step pads. Substrate space
overhung by the stack is used for passive components and IC dies. Memory
controller die may be mounted on the stack and connected by dedicated
transmission paths utilizing the electrically isolated step pads.