Patents Examined by Betur Keshavan
  • Patent number: 6723585
    Abstract: A variety of leadless packaging arrangements and methods of packaging integrated circuits in leadless packages are disclosed. The described lead frames are generally arranged such that each device area has a plurality of contacts but no die attach pad. With this arrangement, the back surface of the die is exposed and coplanar with the exposed bottom surface of the contacts. A casing material (typically plastic) holds the contacts and die in place. In one aspect of the invention, the back surface of the die is metallized. The metallization forms a good attachment surface for the package and serves as a good thermal path to transfer heat away from the die. In another aspect, at least some of the contacts have a top surface, a shelf, and a bottom surface. The die is wire bonded (or otherwise electrically connected) to the shelf portions of the contacts. The described package is quite versatile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Nghia Tu, Shaw Wei Lee, Sadanand R. Patil