Patents by Inventor Darrel R. Frear

Darrel R. Frear has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9638597
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor assembly includes a transducer having a first sensing surface and a second sensing surface. The second sensing surface is contained in a cavity. An Integrated Circuit (IC) is hermetically coupled to the transducer. The IC has a first aperture aligned to the cavity. A lead frame is coupled to the IC. The lead frame has a second aperture aligned to the first aperture of the IC. A package encapsulates the transducer, the IC and the lead frame. The package has a third aperture exposed to the first sensing surface. The package includes a molding compound providing a hermetic seal between the third aperture of the package and the first aperture of the IC. The molding compound is separated from the transducer by an encroachment distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Hooper, Darrel R. Frear, Thomas C. Speight
  • Patent number: 9598280
    Abstract: A device in which an electronic circuit positioned within a cavity of a package housing is encased by a bubble restrictor material, with a media resistant material overlaying the bubble restrictor material. The bubble restrictor material functions to inhibit the formation and growth of moisture-related bubbles within the material, including at the interfaces of the material and surfaces within the package housing. The media resistant material is resistant to physical and chemical alterations by media within an external environment to which the device is exposed. The media resistant material and bubble resistant material function to transfer a sensed characteristic of the media to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Akhilesh K. Singh, Dwight L. Daniels, Darrel R. Frear, Stephen R. Hooper
  • Patent number: 9510495
    Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods of their manufacture. A device embodiment includes a package housing, at least one electronic circuit (e.g., a sensor circuit), a first material, and a second material. The package housing includes a cavity that is partially defined by a cavity bottom surface, and the cavity bottom surface includes a mounting area and a non-mounting area. The at least one electronic circuit is attached to the cavity bottom surface over the mounting area. The first material has a relatively high, first modulus of elasticity, and covers the non-mounting area. The second material has a relatively low, second modulus of elasticity, and is disposed over the first material within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Hooper, Darrel R. Frear, William C. Stermer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9466413
    Abstract: Embodiments of inductive communication devices include first and second galvanically isolated IC die and a dielectric structure. Each IC die has a coil proximate to a first surface of the IC die. The IC die are arranged so that the first surfaces of the IC die face each other, and the first coil and the second coil are aligned across a gap between the first and second IC die. The dielectric structure is positioned within the gap directly between the first and second coils, and a plurality of conductive structures are positioned in or on the dielectric structure and electrically coupled with the second IC die. The conductive structures include portions configured to function as bond pads, and the bond pads may be coupled to package leads using wirebonds. During operation, signals are conveyed between the IC die through inductive coupling between the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Fred T. Brauchler, John M. Pigott, Darrel R. Frear, Vivek Gupta, Randall C. Gray, Norman L. Owens, Carl E. D'Acosta
  • Publication number: 20160130136
    Abstract: A device in which an electronic circuit positioned within a cavity of a package housing is encased by a bubble restrictor material, with a media resistant material overlaying the bubble restrictor material. The bubble restrictor material functions to inhibit the formation and growth of moisture-related bubbles within the material, including at the interfaces of the material and surfaces within the package housing. The media resistant material is resistant to physical and chemical alterations by media within an external environment to which the device is exposed. The media resistant material and bubble resistant material function to transfer a sensed characteristic of the media to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: AKHILESH K. SINGH, DWIGHT L. DANIELS, DARREL R. FREAR, STEPHEN R. HOOPER
  • Publication number: 20160084722
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor assembly includes a transducer having a first sensing surface and a second sensing surface. The second sensing surface is contained in a cavity. An Integrated Circuit (IC) is hermetically coupled to the transducer. The IC has a first aperture aligned to the cavity. A lead frame is coupled to the IC. The lead frame has a second aperture aligned to the first aperture of the IC. A package encapsulates the transducer, the IC and the lead frame. The package has a third aperture exposed to the first sensing surface. The package includes a molding compound providing a hermetic seal between the third aperture of the package and the first aperture of the IC. The molding compound is separated from the transducer by an encroachment distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Hooper, Darrel R. Frear, Thomas C. Speight
  • Publication number: 20150001948
    Abstract: Embodiments of inductive communication devices include first and second galvanically isolated IC die and a dielectric structure. Each IC die has a coil proximate to a first surface of the IC die. The IC die are arranged so that the first surfaces of the IC die face each other, and the first coil and the second coil are aligned across a gap between the first and second IC die. The dielectric structure is positioned within the gap directly between the first and second coils, and a plurality of conductive structures are positioned in or on the dielectric structure and electrically coupled with the second IC die. The conductive structures include portions configured to function as bond pads, and the bond pads may be coupled to package leads using wirebonds. During operation, signals are conveyed between the IC die through inductive coupling between the coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Fred T. BRAUCHLER, John M. PIGOTT, Darrel R. FREAR, Vivek GUPTA, Randall C. GRAY, Norman L. OWENS, Carl E. D'ACOSTA
  • Publication number: 20150004902
    Abstract: Embodiments of inductive communication devices include first and second galvanically isolated IC die. The first IC die has a first coil proximate to a first surface of the first IC die, and the second IC die has a second coil proximate to a first surface of the second IC die. The first and second IC die are arranged so that the first surfaces of the first and second IC die face each other, and the first coil and the second coil are aligned across a gap between the first and second IC die. One or more dielectric components are positioned within the gap directly between the first and second coils. During operation, a first signal is provided to the first coil, and the first coil converts the signal into a time-varying magnetic field. The magnetic field couples with the second coil, which produces a corresponding second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: John M. Pigott, Fred T. Brauchler, Darrel R. Frear, Vivek Gupta, Randall C. Gray, Norman L. Owens, Carl E. D'Acosta
  • Patent number: 8742555
    Abstract: A semiconductor device lead frame having enhanced mold locking features is provided. The lead frame has a flag with bendable edge features along the edge of the flag. Each edge feature is shaped to resist movement against encapsulating mold material in a plane of the edge feature. By bending a portion of the edge feature, improved mold locking of the flag is provided in multiple planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Jian Wen, Darrel R. Frear, William G. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20140146509
    Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods of their manufacture. A device embodiment includes a package housing, at least one electronic circuit (e.g., a sensor circuit), a first material, and a second material. The package housing includes a cavity that is partially defined by a cavity bottom surface, and the cavity bottom surface includes a mounting area and a non-mounting area. The at least one electronic circuit is attached to the cavity bottom surface over the mounting area. The first material has a relatively high, first modulus of elasticity, and covers the non-mounting area. The second material has a relatively low, second modulus of elasticity, and is disposed over the first material within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: STEPHEN R. HOOPER, DARREL R. FREAR, WILLIAM C. STERMER, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130049181
    Abstract: A semiconductor device lead frame having enhanced mold locking features is provided. The lead frame has a flag with bendable edge features along the edge of the flag. Each edge feature is shaped to resist movement against encapsulating mold material in a plane of the edge feature. By bending a portion of the edge feature, improved mold locking of the flag is provided in multiple planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Jian Wen, Darrel R. Frear, William G. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20120252169
    Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly includes a panel including an semiconductor device at least partially surrounded by an encapsulant. A panel upper surface and a device active surface are substantially coplanar. The assembly further includes one or more interconnect layers overlying the panel upper surface. Each of the interconnect layers includes an insulating film having contacts formed therein an interconnect metallization formed thereon. A lower surface of the panel is substantially coplanar with either a backside of the device or a lower surface of a thermally and electrically conductive slab that has an upper surface in thermal contact with the device backside. The assembly may also include a set of panel vias. The panel vias are thermally and electrically conductive conduits extending through the panel between the interconnect layer and suitable for bonding with a land grid array (LGA) or other contact structure of an underlying circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Neil T. Tracht, Darrel R. Frear, James R. Griffiths, Lizabeth Ann A. Keser, Tien Yu T. Lee, Elie A. Maalouf
  • Patent number: 8217511
    Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly includes a panel including an semiconductor device at least partially surrounded by an encapsulant. A panel upper surface and a device active surface are substantially coplanar. The assembly further includes one or more interconnect layers overlying the panel upper surface. Each of the interconnect layers includes an insulating film having contacts formed therein an interconnect metallization formed thereon. A lower surface of the panel is substantially coplanar with either a backside of the device or a lower surface of a thermally and electrically conductive slab that has an upper surface in thermal contact with the device backside. The assembly may also include a set of panel vias. The panel vias are thermally and electrically conductive conduits extending through the panel between the interconnect layer and suitable for bonding with a land grid array (LGA) or other contact structure of an underlying circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil T. Tracht, Darrel R Frear, James R. Griffiths, Lizabeth Ann A. Keser, Tien Yu T. Lee, Elie A. Maalouf
  • Patent number: 7981730
    Abstract: An integrated conformal electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or electromagnetic radiation shield is formed on a plurality of encapsulated modules by attaching a plurality of modules (30-33) to a process carrier (1) using a double side adhesive tape (2), and then sequentially depositing an insulating layer (15) and a conductive shielding layer (16) before encapsulating the modules with a molding compound (17). After removing the adhesive tape (2) to expose a surface of the encapsulated modules, a multi-layer circuit substrate (100) is formed over the exposed surface, where the circuit substrate includes shielding via structures (101-112) that are aligned with and electrically connected to the conductive shielding layer (16), thereby encircling and shielding the circuit module(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinbang Tang, Darrel R. Frear, Scott M. Hayes, Douglas G. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7838420
    Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes an interconnect layer over a first side of a polymer layer, a semiconductor device surrounded on at least three sides by the polymer layer and coupled to the interconnect layer, a first conductive element over a second side of the polymer layer, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, and a connector block within the polymer layer. The connector block has at least one electrical path extending from a first surface of the connector block to a second surface of the connector block. The at least one electrical path electrically couples the interconnect layer to the first conductive element. A method of forming the packaged semiconductor device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinbang Tang, Darrel R. Frear, William H. Lytle
  • Patent number: 7763976
    Abstract: A disclosed integrated circuit (IC) module includes an IC panel and multi level circuit structure, referred to as an IPD structure, overlying an upper surface of the IC panel. The IC panel includes an electrically conductive embedded ground plane (EGP), an integrated circuit (IC) die, and an encapsulating material. The EGP is a substantially planar structure that includes or defines a plurality of cavities. The EGP may include or define an IC cavity and an IPD cavity. The IC die may be positioned within the IC cavity such that a perimeter of the IC cavity surrounds the IC die. The IPD structure may define or include a passive device such as an inductor. The passive device may be positioned or located overlying the void in the EGP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinbang Tang, Darrel R. Frear, Robert J. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20100078760
    Abstract: A disclosed integrated circuit (IC) module includes an IC panel and multi level circuit structure, referred to as an IPD structure, overlying an upper surface of the IC panel. The IC panel includes an electrically conductive embedded ground plane (EGP), an integrated circuit (IC) die, and an encapsulating material. The EGP is a substantially planar structure that includes or defines a plurality of cavities. The EGP may include or define an IC cavity and an IPD cavity. The IC die may be positioned within the IC cavity such that a perimeter of the IC cavity surrounds the IC die. The IPD structure may define or include a passive device such as an inductor. The passive device may be positioned or located overlying the void in the EGP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Jinbang Tang, Darrel R. Frear, Robert J. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20100006988
    Abstract: An integrated conformal electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or electromagnetic radiation shield is formed on a plurality of encapsulated modules by attaching a plurality of modules (30-33) to a process carrier (1) using a double side adhesive tape (2), and then sequentially depositing an insulating layer (15) and a conductive shielding layer (16) before encapsulating the modules with a molding compound (17). After removing the adhesive tape (2) to expose a surface of the encapsulated modules, a multi-layer circuit substrate (100) is formed over the exposed surface, where the circuit substrate includes shielding via structures (101-112) that are aligned with and electrically connected to the conductive shielding layer (16), thereby encircling and shielding the circuit module(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Jinbang Tang, Darrel R. Frear, Scott M. Hayes, Douglas G. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20090072357
    Abstract: An electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or electromagnetic radiation shield is formed on a plurality of encapsulated modules by attaching a plurality of modules (30-33) to a process carrier (10) using a double side adhesive tape (12) before encapsulating the modules with a molding compound (16), and then forming shielding via ring structures (51-54) in the molding compound (16) to surround and shield each module. After removing the adhesive tape (12) to expose a surface of the encapsulated modules, a multi-layer circuit substrate (101) is formed over the exposed surface, where the circuit substrate includes shielding via structures (121-124) that are aligned with and electrically connected to the shielding via ring structures (51-54), thereby encircling and shielding the circuit module(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Jinbang Tang, Darrel R. Frear, Jong-Kai Lin
  • Publication number: 20090057849
    Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes an interconnect layer over a first side of a polymer layer, a semiconductor device surrounded on at least three sides by the polymer layer and coupled to the interconnect layer, a first conductive element over a second side of the polymer layer, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, and a connector block within the polymer layer. The connector block has at least one electrical path extending from a first surface of the connector block to a second surface of the connector block. The at least one electrical path electrically couples the interconnect layer to the first conductive element. A method of forming the packaged semiconductor device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Jinbang Tang, Darrel R. Frear, William H. Lytle