Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same. The device includes a semiconductor substrate having a major surface, one or more contacts located on the major surface and an encapsulant covering at least the major surface. A peripheral edge of each contact defines a contact area on the major surface. The device also includes one or more bond pads located outside the encapsulant. Each bond pad is electrically connected to a respective contact located on the major surface of the substrate by a respective metal filled via that passes through the encapsulant. A sidewall of each respective metal filled via, at the point at which it meets the respective contact, falls inside the contact area defined by the respective contact when viewed from above the major surface of the substrate, whereby none of the metal filling each respective via extends outside the contact area of each respective contact.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to circuitry operable with enhanced capacitance and mitigation of avalanche breakdown. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and/or method involves respective transistors of a cascode circuit, one of which controls the other in an off state by applying a voltage to a gate thereof. A plurality of doped regions are separated by trenches, with the conductive trenches being configured and arranged with the doped regions to provide capacitance across the source and the drain of the second transistor, and restricting voltage at one of the source and the drain of the second transistor, therein mitigating avalanche breakdown of the second transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same. The device includes a substrate having an AlGaN layer located on one or more GaN layers, for forming a two dimensional electron gas at an interface between the AlGaN layer and the GaN layer. The device also includes a source contact. The device further includes a drain contact. The device also includes a gate contact located between the source contact and the drain contact. The gate contact includes a gate electrode. The gate contact also includes an electrically insulating layer located between the gate electrode and the AlGaN layer. The insulating layer includes at least one aperture for allowing holes generated during an off-state of the device to exit the device through the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising at least one active layer on a substrate and a first contact to the at least one active layer, the first contact comprising a metal in contact with the at least one active layer and a capping layer on the metal, the capping layer comprising a diffusion barrier, wherein the capping layer is patterned to form a pattern comprising regions of the contact covered by the capping layer and regions of the contact that are uncovered.

Abstract: A semiconductive device comprising a body having: a first surface and an opposing second surface; a first semiconductive layer adjacent to the first surface; an active region comprising: a plurality of active trenches in the first surface, extending from the first surface into the first semiconductive layer, and having an active trench width, and a plurality of active cells; and a termination region at a periphery of the first surface comprising: at least one termination trench extending from the first surface into the first semiconductive layer, wherein the termination region has a width that is greater than the active trench width; and a number of termination trench separators having a width that is less than a width of the active cells, wherein the active trenches and the at least one termination trench each comprise a first insulator layer adjacent to the first semiconductive layer of the body.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of semiconductor devices comprising a chip scale packages. The method includes providing a semiconductor wafer having a major surface and a backside. The method also includes forming a plurality of contacts on the major surface. The method further includes forming a plurality of trenches in the major surface of the substrate. The method also includes forming a plurality of openings in the wafer between the backside and the trenches in the major surface. The method further includes depositing an encapsulant on the backside of the wafer. At least some of the encapsulant passes through the openings in the wafer to at least partially fill the trenches in the major surface. The method also includes singulating the wafer to produce a plurality of chip scale packages having a major surface including one or more contacts and side walls at least partially covered with said encapsulant.

Abstract: A positioning system and method for positioning a semiconductor device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a positioning system for positioning a semiconductor device includes a long-stroke stage configured to be movable with respect to a supporting structure within a plane and a short-stroke stage attached to the long-stroke stage and configured to carry a semiconductor device and to be rotatable within the plane. The long-stroke stage acts as a balance mass between the short-stroke stage and the supporting structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has wettable corner leads. A semiconductor die is mounted on a lead frame. Die bonding pads are electrically connected to leads of the lead frame. The die and electrical connections are encapsulated with a mold compound. The leads are exposed and flush with the corners of the device. The leads include dimples so that they are wettable, which facilitates inspection when the device is mounted on a circuit board or substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a data transmission system (100) comprising a signal line (101) and a ground line (103). A first signal path (102) is provided between the signal line (101) and the ground line (103). The first signal path (102) comprises a Shockley diode (104) having a cathode (106) and an anode (108). The cathode (106) is connected to the ground line (103) and the anode (108) is connected to the signal line (101).

Abstract: A method of protecting sidewalls a plurality of semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method includes fabricating the plurality of semiconductor devices on a semiconductor wafer, etching to form a trench grid network on the backside of the semiconductor wafer. The trench grid network demarcate physical boundaries of each of the plurality of semiconductor devices. The method also includes depositing a protective layer on the backside and etching to remove the protective layer from horizontal surfaces and to singulate each of the plurality of semiconductor devices from the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising: a substrate having: a first terminal region; a second terminal region; a first extension region that extends from the first terminal region towards the second terminal region; a second extension region that extends from the second terminal region towards the first terminal region; a channel region between the first and second extension regions; a gate conductor that overlies the channel region of the substrate, the gate conductor configured to control conduction in the channel region; a first control conductor that overlies at least a portion of the first extension region, the first control conductor configured to control conduction in the first extension region; and a second control conductor that overlies at least a portion of the second extension region, the second control conductor configured to control conduction in the second extension region, wherein the first and second control conductors are electrically isolated within the semiconductor device from the gate conduct

Abstract: An integrated diode (100) comprising a substrate (102); a Schottky cell (104) on the substrate (102); a heterojunction cell (106) on the substrate (102); a common anode contact (108) for both the Schottky cell (104) and the heterojunction cell (106); and a common cathode contact (110) for both the Schottky cell (104) and the heterojunction cell (106).

Abstract: A trench-gate device with lateral RESURF pillars has an additional implant beneath the gate trench. The additional implant reduces the effective width of the semiconductor drift region between the RESURF pillars, and this provides additional gate shielding which improves the electrical characteristics of the device.

Abstract: A packaged electronic device has first and second lead frame leads and a passive electronic component mounted, across a gap between the leads, on the top sides of the leads, using an adhesive. Facing lateral sides of the leads each include a recess that receives the adhesive. The recess promotes adhesion between the electronic component and the corresponding lead while limiting spread of the adhesive on the bottom side of the electronic component. The adhesive in the recesses promotes adhesion of the component to the leads by inhibiting cracking, and enhances inspection capability at the device backside.

Abstract: A cascode transistor circuit comprising a depletion-mode switch in series with a normally-off switch between a drain output terminal and a source output terminal. The circuit also includes a controller comprising a controller output terminal configured to provide a normally-on control signal for a normally-on control terminal of the depletion-mode switch, wherein the normally-on control signal is independent of the normally-off control signal; a negative voltage source configured to provide a negative voltage to the normally-on control terminal of the depletion-mode switch; and a feedback capacitance between the drain output terminal and a control node in a circuit path between the controller output terminal and the normally-on control terminal of the depletion-mode switch.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to detecting and powering external circuits via a common port. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an accessory detection circuit detects a type of an external circuit based upon a pull-down resistance at an interface port (e.g., where each accessory type provides a discernable pull-down resistance). Power switching circuitry couples power between the interface port and an internal power-based circuit, and operates in an open condition when the accessory detection circuit is active. An adaptive biasing circuit sets a voltage across the power switching circuitry to about zero, based on a voltage level provided on the interface port, thereby mitigating changes in the pull-down resistance due to current leakage. Once the type of external circuit is identified, the power switching circuitry couples power between the external circuit and the internal circuit.

Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a device die having bond pads providing connection to device die circuitry. The semiconductor device includes a built-up substrate lead frame having, a sub-structure of I/O terminals and a die attach area, the I/O terminals and die attach area enveloped in a molding compound, the die attach area having exposed areas to facilitate device die attachment thereon and the terminal I/O terminals providing connection to the device die bond pads; connection traces electrically couple the I/O terminals with one another, said connection traces having facilitated electroplating of exposed vertical surfaces of the I/O terminals during assembly, said connection traces being severed after assembly. An envelope of molding compound encapsulates the device die onto the built-up substrate lead frame.