Patents by Inventor Fulvio Vittorio Fontana

Fulvio Vittorio Fontana 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).

  • Publication number: 20240096759
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to quad flat no-lead (QFN) semiconductor packages, devices, and methods in which one or more electrical components are positioned between a die pad of a QFN leadframe and a semiconductor die. In one embodiment, a device includes a die pad, a lead that is spaced apart from the die pad, and at least one electrical component that has a first contact on the die pad and a second contact on the lead. A semiconductor die is positioned on the at least one electrical component and is spaced apart from the die pad by the at least one electrical component. The device further includes at least one conductive wire, or wire bond, that electrically couples the at least one lead to the semiconductor die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Cristina SOMMA, Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA
  • Patent number: 11842948
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to quad flat no-lead (QFN) semiconductor packages, devices, and methods in which one or more electrical components are positioned between a die pad of a QFN leadframe and a semiconductor die. In one embodiment, a device includes a die pad, a lead that is spaced apart from the die pad, and at least one electrical component that has a first contact on the die pad and a second contact on the lead. A semiconductor die is positioned on the at least one electrical component and is spaced apart from the die pad by the at least one electrical component. The device further includes at least one conductive wire, or wire bond, that electrically couples the at least one lead to the semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Cristina Somma, Fulvio Vittorio Fontana
  • Publication number: 20230360927
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit chip is arranged on a first surface of a substrate that includes electrically conductive lead formations in an array, wherein the electrically conductive lead formations are covered by a masking layer at a second surface opposite the first surface. The semiconductor integrated circuit chip is electrically coupled to electrically conductive lead formations and an insulating encapsulation is molded on the semiconductor integrated circuit chip. The masking layer is then selectively removed, for example, via laser ablation, from one or more of the electrically conductive lead formations. The electrically conductive lead formations that are left uncovered by the masking layer are then removed by an etching process applied to the second surface of the substrate. The selective removal of the unmasked electrically conductive lead formations serves to increase a creepage distance between those conductive lead formations that are left in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA
  • Patent number: 11626355
    Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device comprising a lead-frame having a die pad having at least one electrically conductive die pad area and an insulating layer applied onto the electrically conductive die pad area. An electrically conductive layer is applied onto the insulating layer with one or more semiconductor dice coupled, for instance adhesively, to the electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive die pad area, the electrically conductive layer and the insulating layer sandwiched therebetween form at least one capacitor integrated in the device. The electrically conductive die pad area comprises a sculptured structure with valleys and peaks therein; the electrically conductive layer comprises electrically conductive filling material extending into the valleys in the sculptured structure of the electrically conductive die pad area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Fulvio Vittorio Fontana, Giovanni Graziosi, Michele Derai
  • Publication number: 20230090848
    Abstract: A lead frame for an integrated electronic device includes a die pad made of a first metallic material. A top coating layer formed by a second metallic material is arranged on a top surface of the die pad. The second metallic material has an oxidation rate lower than the first metallic material. The top coating layer leaves exposed a number of corner portions of the top surface of the die pad. A subsequent heating operation, for example occurring in connection with wirebonding, causes an oxidized layer to form on the corner portions of the top surface of the die pad at a position in contact with the top coating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA
  • Patent number: 11515240
    Abstract: A lead frame for an integrated electronic device includes a die pad made of a first metallic material. A top coating layer formed by a second metallic material is arranged on a top surface of the die pad. The second metallic material has an oxidation rate lower than the first metallic material. The top coating layer leaves exposed a number of corner portions of the top surface of the die pad. A subsequent heating operation, for example occurring in connection with wirebonding, causes an oxidized layer to form on the corner portions of the top surface of the die pad at a position in contact with the top coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fulvio Vittorio Fontana
  • Publication number: 20220293498
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, such as a Quad-Flat No-lead (QFN) package, includes a semiconductor chip arranged on a die pad of a leadframe. The leadframe has an array of electrically-conductive leads around the die pad. The leads in the array have distal ends facing away from the die pad as well as recessed portions at an upper surface of the leads. Resilient material, such as low elasticity modulus material, is present at the upper surface of the leads and filling the recessed portions. An insulating encapsulation is molded onto the semiconductor chip. The resilient material is sandwiched between the insulating encapsulation and the distal ends of the leads. This resilient material facilitates flexibility of the leads, making them suited for reliable soldering to an insulated metal substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA, Davide Maria BENELLI, Jefferson Sismundo TALLEDO
  • Publication number: 20220199424
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip is mounted at a first surface of a leadframe and an insulating encapsulation is formed onto the leadframe. An etching mask is applied to a second surface of the leadframe to cover locations of two adjacent rows of electrical contacts as well as a connecting bar between the two adjacent rows which electrically couples the electrical contacts. The second surface is then etched through the etching mask to remove leadframe material at the second surface and define the electrical contacts and connecting bar. The electrical contacts include a distal surface as well as flanks left uncovered by the insulating encapsulation. The etching mask is then removed and the electrical contacts and the connecting bars are used as electrodes in an electroplating of the distal surface and the flanks of the electrical contacts. The connecting bar is then removed from between the two adjacent rows during device singulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA, Michele DERAI
  • Publication number: 20220059368
    Abstract: At least one semiconductor chip or die is held within at a chip retaining formation provided in a chip holding device. The chip holding device is then positioned with the at least one semiconductor chip or die arranged facing a chip attachment location in a chip mounting substrate. This positioning produces a cavity between the at least one semiconductor chip or die arranged at the chip retaining formation and the chip attachment location in the chip mounting substrate. A chip attachment material is dispensed into the cavity. Once cured, the chip attachment material attaches the at least one semiconductor chip or die onto the substrate at the chip attachment location in the chip mounting substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA, Marco ROVITTO
  • Publication number: 20210407894
    Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device comprising a lead-frame having a die pad having at least one electrically conductive die pad area and an insulating layer applied onto the electrically conductive die pad area. An electrically conductive layer is applied onto the insulating layer with one or more semiconductor dice coupled, for instance adhesively, to the electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive die pad area, the electrically conductive layer and the insulating layer sandwiched therebetween form at least one capacitor integrated in the device. The electrically conductive die pad area comprises a sculptured structure with valleys and peaks therein; the electrically conductive layer comprises electrically conductive filling material extending into the valleys in the sculptured structure of the electrically conductive die pad area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA, Giovanni GRAZIOSI, Michele DERAI
  • Patent number: 11152289
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises: a lead-frame comprising a die pad having at least one electrically conductive die pad area an insulating layer applied onto the electrically conductive die pad area. An electrically conductive layer is applied onto the insulating layer with one or more semiconductor dice coupled, for instance adhesively, to the electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive die pad area, the electrically conductive layer and the insulating layer sandwiched therebetween form at least one capacitor integrated in the device. The electrically conductive die pad area comprises a sculptured structure with valleys and peaks therein; the electrically conductive layer comprises electrically conductive filling material extending into the valleys in the sculptured structure of the electrically conductive die pad area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Fulvio Vittorio Fontana, Giovanni Graziosi, Michele Derai
  • Publication number: 20210249337
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to quad flat no-lead (QFN) semiconductor packages, devices, and methods in which one or more electrical components are positioned between a die pad of a QFN leadframe and a semiconductor die. In one embodiment, a device includes a die pad, a lead that is spaced apart from the die pad, and at least one electrical component that has a first contact on the die pad and a second contact on the lead. A semiconductor die is positioned on the at least one electrical component and is spaced apart from the die pad by the at least one electrical component. The device further includes at least one conductive wire, or wire bond, that electrically couples the at least one lead to the semiconductor die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Cristina SOMMA, Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA
  • Publication number: 20210233884
    Abstract: A semiconductor product includes a layer of semiconductor die package molding material embedding a semiconductor die having a front surface and an array of electrically-conductive bodies such as spheres or balls around the semiconductor die. The electrically-conductive bodies have front end portions around the front surface of the semiconductor die and back end portions protruding from the layer of semiconductor die package molding material. Electrically-conductive formations are provided between the front surface of the semiconductor die and front end portions of the electrically-conductive bodies left uncovered by the package molding material. Light-permeable sealing material can be provided at electrically-conductive formations to facilitate inspecting the electrically-conductive formations via visual inspection through the light-permeable sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA
  • Patent number: 11004775
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to quad flat no-lead (QFN) semiconductor packages, devices, and methods in which one or more electrical components are positioned between a die pad of a QFN leadframe and a semiconductor die. In one embodiment, a device includes a die pad, a lead that is spaced apart from the die pad, and at least one electrical component that has a first contact on the die pad and a second contact on the lead. A semiconductor die is positioned on the at least one electrical component and is spaced apart from the die pad by the at least one electrical component. The device further includes at least one conductive wire, or wire bond, that electrically couples the at least one lead to the semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Cristina Somma, Fulvio Vittorio Fontana
  • Publication number: 20210035894
    Abstract: A lead frame for an integrated electronic device includes a die pad made of a first metallic material. A top coating layer formed by a second metallic material is arranged on a top surface of the die pad. The second metallic material has an oxidation rate lower than the first metallic material. The top coating layer leaves exposed a number of corner portions of the top surface of the die pad. A subsequent heating operation, for example occurring in connection with wirebonding, causes an oxidized layer to form on the corner portions of the top surface of the die pad at a position in contact with the top coating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA
  • Publication number: 20200176363
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to quad flat no-lead (QFN) semiconductor packages, devices, and methods in which one or more electrical components are positioned between a die pad of a QFN leadframe and a semiconductor die. In one embodiment, a device includes a die pad, a lead that is spaced apart from the die pad, and at least one electrical component that has a first contact on the die pad and a second contact on the lead. A semiconductor die is positioned on the at least one electrical component and is spaced apart from the die pad by the at least one electrical component. The device further includes at least one conductive wire, or wire bond, that electrically couples the at least one lead to the semiconductor die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Cristina SOMMA, Fulvio Vittorio FONTANA
  • Patent number: 10639661
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a fluid includes a fixed part to be worn by a user, a fluid connection including a terminal outlet, a needle coupled to the terminal outlet of the fluid connection for dispensing a fluid, and a replaceable part coupled to the fixed part via the fluid connection. The replaceable part includes a reservoir for containing the fluid to be dispensed, and a micro-pump coupled to the reservoir to send the fluid to the fixed part through the fluid connection. An actuator operates the micro-pump. The fixed part includes a pressure-sensor in proximity to the terminal outlet of the fluid connection and is associated with dispensing the fluid from the needle. An electronic control module controls operation of the micro-pump via the pressure-sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Fulvio Vittorio Fontana
  • Patent number: 10643940
    Abstract: A method for forming an electronic device includes embedding an integrated circuit die in a package including substrate of thermally conductive material with front and back surfaces and a through-hole. The die is sunk in the through-hole. A first insulating material layer covers the die front surface and the package front surface with first windows for accessing die terminals. Package terminals and package track are arranged on the first insulating layer. A second insulating material layer covers the first insulating layer and the package tracks with second windows for accessing the package terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fulvio Vittorio Fontana, Giovanni Graziosi
  • Patent number: 10593614
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a lead-frame including one or more electrically conductive areas, one or more dielectric layers over the electrically conductive area or areas, one or more electrically conductive layer over the one or more dielectric layers thus forming one or more capacitors each including the dielectric layer sandwiched between an electrically conductive area and the electrically conductive layer. The semiconductor device also includes a semiconductor die on the lead-frame electrically connected to the one or more electrically conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Fulvio Vittorio Fontana, Giovanni Graziosi
  • Patent number: 10593612
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to quad flat no-lead (QFN) semiconductor packages, devices, and methods in which one or more electrical components are positioned between a die pad of a QFN leadframe and a semiconductor die. In one embodiment, a device includes a die pad, a lead that is spaced apart from the die pad, and at least one electrical component that has a first contact on the die pad and a second contact on the lead. A semiconductor die is positioned on the at least one electrical component and is spaced apart from the die pad by the at least one electrical component. The device further includes at least one conductive wire, or wire bond, that electrically couples the at least one lead to the semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Cristina Somma, Fulvio Vittorio Fontana