Abstract:
An apparatus and method for underfilling a silicon chip (16) to a substrate (12) by depositing an underfill dam (18) on the surface (20) of the substrate (12) prior to addition of the underfill material (14), is disclosed. A bead of underfill material (14) is provided on the substrate (12) about the periphery of the silicon chip (16), within the underfill dam (18). The underfill material (14) fills the gap (22) between the electrical contacts, the substrate (12) and the silicon chip (16) by capillary action and differential pressure created by a vacuum system (40).
Abstract:
A contact for a semiconductor device or passive substrate is made up of an array of conductive balls, the individual balls of the contact being a compressible material coated with a metal conductive material. The balls in the array are compressed while being bonded to the contact area to provide a larger bond area between the ball and the contact area to which it is bonded.
Abstract:
A socketed integrated circuit packaging system, including a packaged integrated circuit and a socket therefor, is disclosed. The integrated circuit package includes a device circuit board to which a thermally conductive slug is mounted; the underside of the device circuit board has a plurality of lands arranged in an array. The integrated circuit chip is mounted to the slug, through a hole in the device circuit board, and is wire-bonded to the device circuit board and thus to the lands on the underside. The socket is a molded frame, having a hole therethrough to receive the conductive slug of the integrated circuit package; the socket may also have its own thermally conductive slug disposed within the hole of the frame. The socket has spring contact members at locations matching the location of the lands on the device circuit board. The integrated circuit package may be inserted into the socket frame, held there by a metal or molded clip. A low profile, low cost, and high thermal conductivity package and socket combination, is thus produced.
Abstract:
A vertical lead-on-chip package and the method of making defines a high density array of semiconductor devices with leads extending from and across one face of the device, to the edge of the device such that a plurality of devices are vertically mounted on a circuit board. Each device has a heat sink thereon which is held in a fixture which serves as an array heat sink during testing and burn-in and during mounting and operation of the devices on the circuit board.
Abstract:
A system and method is disclosed for providing a redistribution metal layer in an integrated circuit. The redistribution metal layer is formed from the last metal layer in the integrated circuit during manufacture of the integrated circuit before final passivation is applied. The last metal layer provides sites for solder bump pads used in flip chip interconnection. The redistribution metal layer can be (1) a flat layer deposited over the next to last metal layer through an opening in a dielectric layer, or (2) deposited over an array of vias connected to the next to last metal layer. Space between the solder bump pads is deposited with narrower traces for connecting active circuit areas below. A final passivation layer is deposited to ensure product reliability.
Abstract:
A system and method is disclosed for using a pre-formed film in a transfer molding process of the type that uses a transfer mold to encapsulate portions of an integrated circuit with a molding compound. A film of compliant material is pre-formed to conform the shape of the film to a mold cavity surface of the transfer mold. The pre-formed film is then placed adjacent to the surfaces of the mold cavity of the transfer mold. The mold cavity is filled with molding compound and the integrated circuit is encapsulated. The pre-formation of the film allows materials to be used that are not suitable for use with prior art methods.
Abstract:
A fuel cell device includes a housing containing a fuel processor that generates fuel gas and a fuel cell having electrodes forming an anode and cathode, and an ion exchange electrolyte positioned between the electrodes. The housing can be formed as first and second cylindrically configured outer shell sections that form a battery cell that is configured similar to a commercially available battery cell. A thermal-capillary pump can be operative with the electrodes and an ion exchange electrolyte, and operatively connected to the fuel processor. The electrodes are configured such that heat generated between the electrodes forces water to any cooler edges of the electrodes and is pumped by capillary action back to the fuel processor to supply water for producing hydrogen gas. The electrodes can be formed on a silicon substrate that includes a flow divider with at least one fuel gas input channel that can be controlled by a MEMS valve.
Abstract:
In a packaged integrated circuit, electrostatic discharge protection is provided by portions of a lead frame on which the integrated circuit is mounted. The lead frame includes a die paddle on which an integrated circuit die is mounted, with plastic or epoxy material encapsulating exposed surfaces of the integrated circuit die except for a sensing surface, and supporting pins or leads formed from the lead frame. Portions of the lead frame extending from the die paddle are folded around sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over, or adjacent to and level with, a peripheral upper surface of the encapsulated integrated circuit die to form an electrostatic discharge ring. The lead frame portions folded around the integrated circuit package are connected to ground through a ground pin, so that charge on a human finger touching the electrostatic discharge ring is dissipated to ground before the finger contacts a sensing surface of the integrated circuit. The portions of the lead frame which are folded around the encapsulated integrated circuit die may extend only around sides or side regions of the integrated circuit package not including pins or leads or, alternatively, may extend around all sides of the integrated circuit package and have openings where side regions of the integrated circuit package includes pins or leads.
Abstract:
The invention comprises a lid that is capable of being placed in contact with and attached to an integrated circuit that has an exposed surface of an integrated circuit die. The lid has portions that form a cavity between a surface of the lid and the exposed surface of the integrated circuit die when the lid is placed in contact with the integrated circuit. The lid also has portions that form a first fluid conduit for transporting a fluid into the cavity and a second fluid conduit for transporting the fluid out of the cavity. Heat from the integrated circuit die is absorbed by the fluid by direct convection and removed from the integrated circuit when the fluid is removed from the cavity.
Abstract:
A preformed adhesive layer for joining components within integrated circuit packaging includes venting slots for controlling the size and location of voids within an assembled integrated circuit package. Air randomly entrapped between the surfaces of the adhesive layer and adjoining components during assembly will generally release into the venting slots during subsequent assembly and/or mounting steps performed at elevated temperatures, rather than creating internal pressures causing separation of package components or releasing into the encapsulant. Die delamination and encapsulant void problems occurring during reflow or other assembly and mounting processes as a result of entrapped air are avoided.