Patents by Inventor Ken M. Lam

Ken M. Lam 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: 9905498
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of electronic packages include electrical contact pad features present on all sides of the package that facilitate simple and low cost electrical connections to the package made through a mechanical contacting scheme. In an embodiment, an electronic package comprises: a metal leadframe having a first leadframe portion having a first thickness and a second leadframe portion having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, the second leadframe portion defining electrical contact pads; a silicon die attached to the second leadframe portion and overlying a space formed in the leadframe by the first and second leadframe portions; and wirebonds coupling the silicon die to the electrical contact pads. A method of fabricating the electronic package is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Publication number: 20170323845
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of electronic packages include electrical contact pad features present on all sides of the package that facilitate simple and low cost electrical connections to the package made through a mechanical contacting scheme. In an embodiment, an electronic package comprises: a metal leadframe having a first leadframe portion having a first thickness and a second leadframe portion having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, the second leadframe portion defining electrical contact pads; a silicon die attached to the second leadframe portion and overlying a space formed in the leadframe by the first and second leadframe portions; and wirebonds coupling the silicon die to the electrical contact pads. A method of fabricating the electronic package is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 9704812
    Abstract: Embodiments of a double-sided electronic package and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, an electronic package comprises: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a leadframe having package pad features attached to the first surface of the substrate; a first integrated circuit die attached to the leadframe and electrically coupled to at least one of the package pad features; and molding disposed on the first surface of the substrate between the package pad features, such that the package pad features extend vertically from the first surface of the substrate to a surface of the electronic package, the package pad features forming electrically conductive paths that are exposed on the surface of the electronic package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8860195
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for incorporating discrete passive components into an integrated circuit package. A first surface of a substrate is coated with a material to mechanically protect the first surface. A first metal layer and then an insulating layer are formed on a second surface of the substrate. Selected areas are removed from the insulating and a second metal layer is formed over the insulating layer and the exposed metal layer. Selected areas of the second metal layer are removed to form a plurality of structures, including at least one of a wirebonding pad, a solder-bonding pad, a device interconnect circuit, or an attach pad to which an electronic component may be attached. An electronic component may be attached to at least one of the structures. The resulting integrated circuit die may be incorporated into an electronic package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8568822
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for incorporating discrete passive components into an integrated circuit package. A metal layer is formed over a surface of a substrate. A layer of photosensitive material is then formed over the metal layer. Using standard photolithographic processing, a pattern is formed with the photosensitive material to expose at least one region of the metal layer. The remaining photosensitive material protects the underlying metal during metal etching. The substrate is then subjected to a metal etching process to remove the metal that is not protected by the photosensitive material. The remaining photosensitive material is then removed from each remaining area of the metal layer. The discrete passive components can then be attached to the formed metal lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8531022
    Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly comprises an integrated circuit die, and a routable metal layer comprising metal traces linking a plurality of wire bond pads to a plurality of external connection pads such that the metal traces are routable under the die area. An electrically nonconductive adhesive layer couples the integrated circuit die to the routable metal layer, and a plurality of wire bonds link circuitry on the integrated circuit die to the wire bond pads in the routable metal layer. An overfill material encapsulates at least the integrated circuit die and the plurality of wire bonds, and a plurality of solder balls are formed on the plurality of external connection pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8525329
    Abstract: Component stacking for increasing packing density in integrated circuit packages. In one aspect of the invention, an integrated circuit package includes a substrate, and a plurality of discrete components connected to the substrate and approximately forming a component layer parallel to and aligned with a surface area of the substrate. An integrated circuit die is positioned adjacent to the component layer such that a face of the die is substantially parallel to the surface area of the substrate. The face of the die is aligned with at least a portion of the component layer, and terminals of the die are connected to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8429814
    Abstract: An electronic multi-component package is assembled by placing multiple electronic components within multiple openings of a package substrate, then depositing and curing adhesive filler in gaps between the components and the inner peripheries of the openings. Circuit features, including conductive interconnects, are formed by thin-film photolithography over both front and back surfaces of the package substrate. Preformed conductive vias through the package substrate provide electrical connection between circuit features on opposite substrate surfaces. Additional electronic components may be attached to conductive lands on at least one side of the package. The circuit features also include contact pads for external package connections, such as in a ball-grid-array or equivalent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8278150
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for packaging semiconductor devices. The apparatus includes a substrate strip component of a leadless three-dimensional stackable semiconductor package having mounting contacts on, for example, four peripheral edges. The substrate strip may either be fabricated for mounting a single electrical component (e.g., an integrated circuit die) or a plurality of substrate strips may be laid out in an X-Y matrix pattern which may later be singulated into individual package strip for leadless packages. Three-dimensional stacking is achieved by a bonding area on an uppermost portion of the sidewall. The sidewall of the strip is high enough to enclose an encapsulant covering a later mounted integrated circuit die and associated bonding wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8264075
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for semiconductor device packages. In an example, an apparatus can include a first semiconductor device, a ground pad situated on an uppermost portion of the first semiconductor device and configured to electrically couple portions of the first semiconductor device to aground potential, and a second semiconductor device having at least a portion in electrical communication with an uppermost face of the first semiconductor device through a first electrically-conductive adhesive. In an example, the first electrically-conductive adhesive can be electrically coupled to the ground bond pad on the first semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8258599
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing passive components on an integrated circuit device. The integrtated circuit device has post wafer fabrication integrated passive components situated on the opposite substrate side of the device's integrated circuitry. Electrical contact pads of the passive components are configured to be coupled to the electronics package contact pads to complete the electronic package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 8044526
    Abstract: A method of packaging an integrated circuit die including forming a mask window having a first aperture with a first set of alignment edges and forming an alignment feature on an uppermost surface of the integrated circuit die where the alignment feature has a second set of alignment edges. The alignment feature is inserted into the first aperture. The integrated circuit die is mechanically biased until the first and second set of alignment edges are in physical contact with one another and the alignment feature is secured into the mask window, thus forming an integrated circuit die assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Publication number: 20110193192
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing three-dimensional integrated circuit packages. In one embodiment, an electronics package with at least two dice are stacked one atop another is disclosed. A top die is of smaller size compared with a bottom die such that after a die attach operation, wire-bond pads of the bottom die will be exposed for a subsequent wire bonding operation. The bottom die contains contact pads on the front side that couple with one or more passive components fabricated on the back side of the top die to complete the circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, a method to form one or more three-dimensional passive components in a stacked-die package is disclosed wherein partial inductor elements are fabricated on the front side of the bottom die and the back side of the top die. The top and bottom elements are coupled together completing the passive component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 7981796
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for packaging semiconductor devices are disclosed. The apparatus is applicable to many types of contemporary packaging schemes that utilize a sacrificial metal base strip. Tunnels formed through an encapsulation area surrounding the device and associated bond wires are filled with a metallic conductor by, for example, electroplating, and extend bottom contact pads to an uppermost portion of the encapsulated area. The sacrificial metal base strip serves as a plating bus and is etch-removed after plating. The filled tunnels allow components to be stacked in a three-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 7932590
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing three-dimensional integrated circuit packages. In one embodiment, an electronics package with at least two dice are stacked one atop another is disclosed. A top die is of smaller size compared with a bottom die such that after a die attach operation, wire-bond pads of the bottom die will be exposed for a subsequent wire bonding operation. The bottom die contains contact pads on the front side that couple with one or more passive components fabricated on the back side of the top die to complete the circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, a method to form one or more three-dimensional passive components in a stacked-die package is disclosed wherein partial inductor elements are fabricated on the front side of the bottom die and the back side of the top die. The top and bottom elements are coupled together completing the passive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 7927918
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for packaging semiconductor devices. The apparatus is a three-dimensional electronic package comprising one or more electronic components, a plurality of electrical contact pads, and a plurality of electrically conductive three-dimensional plugs formed through an encapsulant. Specific ones of the plurality of electrical contact pads are electrically coupled to the one or more electronic components on an uppermost surface of the plurality of electrical contact pads. The encapsulant is formed over and covers the one or more electronic devices. The plurality of three-dimensional plugs have a first end extending from at least the uppermost portion of one or more of the plurality of electrical contact pads and a second end extending substantially to an uppermost surface of the encapsulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Publication number: 20110062598
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for semiconductor device packages. In an example, an apparatus can include a first semiconductor device, a ground pad situated on an uppermost portion of the first semiconductor device and configured to electrically couple portions of the first semiconductor device to aground potential, and a second semiconductor device having at least a portion in electrical communication with an uppermost face of the first semiconductor device through a first electrically-conductive adhesive. In an example, the first electrically-conductive adhesive can be electrically coupled to the ground bond pad on the first semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Patent number: 7880193
    Abstract: A method and system for fabricating an integral electromagnetic radiation shield for an electronic package is disclosed. Various embodiments include exposing a portion of at least one ground contact feature in an electronic package by removing a portion of the electronic package above the at least one ground contact feature to form at least one trench above the at least one ground contact feature; depositing electromagnetic radiation shield material in the at least one trench to substantially fill the at least one trench with a trench deposit; and depositing additional electromagnetic radiation shield material over a substantial portion of the electronic package, wherein the electromagnetic radiation shield material in the trench and over the substantial portion of the electronic package form an integral electromagnetic radiation shield which is electrically connected to the at least one ground contact feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Publication number: 20110014747
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for packaging semiconductor devices. The apparatus includes a substrate strip component of a leadless three-dimensional stackable semiconductor package having mounting contacts on, for example, four peripheral edges. The substrate strip may either be fabricated for mounting a single electrical component (e.g., an integrated circuit die) or a plurality of substrate strips may be laid out in an X-Y matrix pattern which may later be singulated into individual package strip for leadless packages. three-dimensional stacking is achieved by a bonding area on an uppermost portion of the sidewall. The sidewall of the strip is high enough to enclose an encapsulant covering a later mounted integrated circuit die and associated bonding wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam
  • Publication number: 20110001215
    Abstract: An electronic multi-component package is assembled by placing multiple electronic components within multiple openings of a package substrate, then depositing and curing adhesive filler in gaps between the components and the inner peripheries of the openings. Circuit features, including conductive interconnects, are formed by thin-film photolithography over both front and back surfaces of the package substrate. Preformed conductive vias through the package substrate provide electrical connection between circuit features on opposite substrate surfaces. Additional electronic components may be attached to conductive lands on at least one side of the package. The circuit features also include contact pads for external package connections, such as in a ball-grid-array or equivalent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Ken M. Lam