A system in a package (SIP) includes carrier layer regions that have a dielectric material with a metal post therethrough, where adjacent carrier layer regions define a gap. A driver IC die is positioned in the gap having nodes connected to bond pads exposed by openings in a top side of a first passivation layer, with the bond pads facing up. A dielectric layer is on the first passivation layer and carrier layer region that includes filled through vias coupled to the bond pads and to the metal post. A light blocking layer is on sidewalls and a bottom of the substrate. A first device includes a light emitter that has first bondable features. The light blocking layer can block at least 90% of incident light. The first bondable features are flipchip mounted to a first portion of the bond pads.