Abstract: A new method is provided for the interface between a heat spreader and the substrate of a thermally improved PBGA package. The heat spreader interfaces with the substrate with the standoff of the heat spreader. The stand-off of the heat spreader is provided with an opening, the stand-off of the heat spreader is aligned with the substrate of the PBGA package by means of a copper pad that is provided over a second surface of the substrate. A gold stud bump or a solder bump are further provided over the surface of the copper pad for alignment purposes. Thermally conductive epoxy or solder is deposited over the opening of the heat spreader and therewith over the copper pad provided over a second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A new method is provided for evaluating the alignment of inner layers of interconnect layers. A test pattern is inserted within and as part of the process of creating a saw singulated plastic ball grid array substrate. The test pattern comprises a test point of reference for each inner layer of the substrate and multiple measurement points relating to the point of reference whereby each of these multiple measurement points is indicative of an amount of clearance or misalignment with respect to that inner-layer. By measuring electrical continuity or lack thereof between the point of reference and the respective multiple measurement points relating to the point of reference and by identifying which of the multiple points is shorted to the point of reference, the mis-alignment of the inner layers of the saw singulated plastic ball grid array substrate can be determined.

Abstract: In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new method is provided to insert the underfill for flip-chip semiconductor devices. An IC chip is provided with solder bumps. The flip-chip is entered into an enclosed space, the heatsink forms the top of the enclosed space, the substrate forms the bottom of the enclosed space. The enclosed space is filled with a mold compound. This mold compound now surrounds the IC chip thereby including the area below the IC. The step of inserting the underfill as a separate processing step has thereby been eliminated.

Abstract: A new method and sequence is provided for the creation of solder bumps. The design of the invention implements a torch bump, which is a solder bump comprising a base over which a solder bump is created. A first layer of dry film is laminated over a supporting surface over which first a layer of UBM has been deposited. A base for the solder bump is created in a first opening created through the first layer of dry film, the created base aligns with an underlying contact pad. A second dry film is laminated over the surface of the first dry film, a second opening is created through the second dry film that aligns with the created base of the solder bump. The opening through the second dry film is filled with solder by solder printing, the first and second layers of dry film are removed, the deposited layer of UBM is etched.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the interface between a heat spreader and the substrate of a thermally improved PBGA package. The heat spreader interfaces with the substrate with the standoff of the heat spreader. The stand-off of the heat spreader is provided with an opening, the stand-off of the heat spreader is aligned with the substrate of the PBGA package by means of a copper pad that is provided over a second surface of the substrate. A gold stud bump or a solder bump are further provided over the surface of the copper pad for alignment purposes. Thermally conductive epoxy or solder is deposited over the opening of the heat spreader and therewith over the copper pad provided over a second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A new design is provided for the design of a leadframe of a semiconductor package. A ground plane is added to the design of the leadframe, the ground frame is located between the leadframe and the die attach paddle over which the semiconductor device is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kit and method for package-to-package conversion of a pick and place handler. An input arm assembly is provided with interchangeable vacuum leads such that package-to-package conversion only requires replacing the vacuum lead with a different size vacuum lead. An input/output shuttle plate is provided comprising a block and base plate. The block has a plurality of pocket groupings and a two or more alignment hole groupings. The base plate has two or more alignment pins. Package-to-package conversion is achieved by changing which alignment hole in each alignment hole grouping is set on the alignment pins, thereby selecting the pocket in each pocket grouping corresponding to the alignment hole used. A soak plate is provided having an array of pocket groupings, wherein each pocket grouping has the same pattern of different size/shape pockets to accommodate different packages.

Abstract: A new method and assembly is provided for anchoring the heat spreader of a PBGA package to the substrate thereof. Anchor features are made part of the PBGA package, these anchor features are provided over the surface of the substrate of the PBGA package. The anchor features align with openings created in the heat spreader stand-off, thus allowing for quick and reliable positioning and anchoring of the heat spreader over the surface of the substrate of the package.

Abstract: In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new method is provided to position and secure a heat sink over the surface of a semiconductor device mounting support, the latter typically being referred to as a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of recesses is created in the surface of the substrate over which the heat sink is to be mounted. The heat sink is (conventionally and not part of the invention) provided with dimples that form the interface between the heat sink and the underlying substrate. The dimples of the heat sink are aligned with and inserted into the recesses that have been created by the invention in the underlying substrate for this purpose, firmly securing the heat sink in position with respect to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending probe pins that is semi-automated and uses machine vision to eliminate human error.

Abstract: A new method and package is provided for the packaging of semiconductor devices. The method and package starts with a semiconductor substrate, the substrate is pre-baked. In the first embodiment of the invention, a copper foil is attached to the substrate, in the second embodiment of the invention a adhesive film is attached to the substrate. Processing then continues by attaching the die to the copper foil under the first embodiment of the invention and to the film under the second embodiment of the invention. After this the processing continues identically for the two embodiments of the invention with steps of curing, plasma cleaning, wire bonding, optical inspection, plasma cleaning and providing a molding around the die and the wires connected to the die. For the second embodiment of the invention, the film is now detached and replaced with a copper foil.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the establishment of a low resistivity connection between a wire bonded IC chip that is mounted on a heatsink and the heatsink of the package. A copper trace connection is allocated for this purpose on the surface of the substrate layer to which the IC chip is connected. An opening is provided in the substrate layer of the package, this opening aligns with the copper trace that has been allocated for establishing a ground connection and penetrates the substrate layer down to the surface of the underlying heatsink. The opening is filled with a conductive epoxy or an equivalent low-resistivity material thereby establishing a direct electrical connection or short between the allocated copper trace and the underlying heatsink. By connecting the ground point of the IC chip to the allocated copper trace, a direct electrical low resistivity connection is made between the ground point of the IC chip and the heatsink into which the IC chip is mounted.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus is provided to quickly and reliably position, connect and dock a handler plate with a test head plate of a Universal Docking System. A handler plate is provided with roller assemblies while a test head plate is provided with matching receiver block assemblies. The roller assemblies are aligned with and partially inserted into the receiver block assemblies. Part of the roller assembly is mechanically engaged by the receiver block assembly, a mechanical linkage between an operator handle and the receiver block assembly allows the operator to complete the locking of the test head plate with the handler plate thereby at the same time establishing electrical contacts between arrays of pins that are mounted on surfaces of the handler base plate and the test head.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a die-up laminated PBGA package, including the following steps. A mold chase for a PBGA package is provided. The mold chase has an open side with and exposed bottom wall and side walls, and a bottom side. The mold chase is positioned open side up. A heat spreader is dropped into the mold chase open side. The heat spreader has a lower protruding section, and lateral peripheral flanges with gaps therebetween. The protruding section contacts a portion of the bottom wall of the mold chase and the flanges contact a portion of the exposed side walls of the mold chase to thereby secure the heat spreader within the mold chase. A substrate, having a die affixed thereto in a die down position, is fixedly placed over the mold chase. The die being positioned within the space above the protruding section of the heat spreader.

Abstract: An antistatic strapping apparatus for binding and securing a plurality of semiconductor device carrier trays, the apparatus including a strap member having opposed ends and a side defined as a top side spaced from a side defined as a bottom side and a major surface defined by the opposed ends and top and bottom sides. A loop portion of a hook and loop fastening combination constitutes the major surface area on the top side of the strap member. A piece of hook portion having the same width as the strap member of the book and loop fastening combination secured to the top side at a first end of the strap member, the hook portion extending the length of the strap member by at least about 80 mm. A conductive thread is sewn in a multiplicity of lengthwise tracks on the second side of the major surface to prevent build-up of static electricity.

Abstract: A substrate carrier which is used through beginning assembly operations such as solder reflow for attaching ball grid array devices to flexible substrates. The carrier includes a main structural support for centerly placing the substrate. The support member include two pairs of pins protruding from the support member to engage with a matching pair of datum apertures disposed inboard of the side edges of the substrate. A plurality of high temperature magnetic inserts are affixed into holes of the support member disposed parallel and outboard of the pins. The cover has two rows of apertures for engagement with the pins of the support member is attracted by the magnetic inserts forcing the outer periphery of the cover against the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling small semiconductor devices in the testing of these devices. Multiple devices are mounted within a device strip carrier and are positioned in the testing position. This positioning of the device strip carriers is performed using device strip carrier alignment tools; the device strip carrier can readily be repositioned with respect to the test head/probe card for testing of multiple devices contained within the device strip carrier.

Abstract: A new method is provided to identify semiconductor devices whereby the invention provides for a shallow depression on the backside of the heat sink of the ball grid array package. This shallow depression or hole can be used for visual and optical inspection of the device orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying a liquid on the surface of assemblies that are moving through wash and rinse stations.

Abstract: A new design is provided for the die-paddle that is used as part of a package for packaging semiconductor devices. The new design of the invention creates a space between the ground ring of the die-paddle and the surface over which the ground paddle is mounted. The new design further comprises an S-shaped segment between the ground ring and the center of the die-paddle, the S-shaped segment provides stress relieve between the ground ring and the center of the die-paddle.