Abstract: A semiconductor package has a substrate with a solder mask layer, and upper and lower surfaces. Conductive traces and electrical contacts are formed on the substrate, and vias are formed in the substrate to electrically connect the conductive traces and electrical contacts. A semiconductor die is attached on the upper surface of the substrate. A mold cap is formed on the upper surface of the substrate and covers the die and the conductive traces. The mold cap includes a mold body having clipped corners and extensions that extend from each of the clipped corners. The extensions and clipped corners help prevent package cracking.

Abstract: A mold die includes a side wall forming a hollow cavity and opposing first and second axial ends. The side wall has first and second openings respectively at the first and second axial ends. Each of the first and second openings accesses the hollow cavity. A main wall is coupled to the side wall at the first end thereof and spans the first opening. A center of the main wall is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the side wall. The main wall defines a plane oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the side wall. First and second gates are formed through the main wall to access the hollow cavity. The first and second gates define a first line lying in the plane of the main wall. The center of the main wall is located on the first line between the first and second gates.

Abstract: A Quad Flat Pack (QFP) type semiconductor device includes four corner tie bars that, instead of being trimmed, are used for power and/or ground connections, and alternatively, to control mold flow during the encapsulation step of the assembly process.

Abstract: A semiconductor sensor device has a pressure sensing die and at least one other die mounted on a substrate, and electrical interconnections that interconnect the pressure sensing die and the at least one other die. An active region of the pressure sensing die is covered with a pressure sensitive gel material, and a cap having a cavity is mounted over the pressure sensing die such that the pressure sensing die is positioned within the cavity. The cap has a side vent hole that exposes the gel covered active region of the pressure sensing die to ambient atmospheric pressure outside the sensor device. Molding compound on an upper surface of the substrate encapsulates the at least one other die and at least a portion of the cap.

Abstract: Electrically conductive pillars with a solder cap are formed on a substrate with an electroplating process. A flip-chip die having solder wettable pads is attached to the substrate with the conductive pillars contacting the solder wettable pads.

Abstract: A Quad Flat Pack (QFP) type semiconductor device includes four corner tie bars that, instead of being trimmed, are used for power and/or ground connections, and alternatively, to control mold flow during the encapsulation step of the assembly process.

Abstract: A lead frame for a packaged semiconductor device has multiple, configurable power bars that can be selectively electrically connected, such as with bond wires, to each other and/or to other leads of the lead frame to customize the lead frame for different package designs. One or more of the configurable power bars may extend into one or more cut-out regions in a die paddle of the lead frame, which allows for short bond wires to be used to connect the power bars to die pads of a semiconductor die mounted on the die paddle.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a die pad and a semiconductor die having a mounting surface attached to the die pad and an opposite, active surface with die external terminals. The device has package external connectors, each having a bond region selectively electrically coupled to the die external terminals with a bond wire. A heat spreader has a first region that encloses an inner recessed region. A thermally conductive sheet is sandwiched between the inner recessed region of the heat spreader and the active surface of the die. At least the die, die external terminals, and the bond region are covered with an encapsulant.

Abstract: A semiconductor package has a substrate with a solder mask layer, and upper and lower surfaces. Conductive traces and electrical contacts are formed on the substrate, and vias are formed in the substrate to electrically connect the conductive traces and electrical contacts. A semiconductor die is attached on the upper surface of the substrate. A mold cap is formed on the upper surface of the substrate and covers the die and the conductive traces. The mold cap includes a mold body having clipped corners and extensions that extend from each of the clipped corners. The extensions and clipped corners help prevent package cracking.

Abstract: A self-powered circuit package includes a substrate and an integrated circuit (IC). The IC is mounted on a surface of the substrate. An electrical interconnector electrically couples the IC to the substrate. A solar cell is provided having opposing first and second main surfaces. A portion of the first main surface of the solar cell is configured to receive light from an external source. The solar cell converts energy of the received light into electrical power. The solar cell is disposed above the IC and electrically connected to the IC by way of the substrate to supply the generated power to the IC. A clear mold compound encapsulates a surface of the substrate, the IC, the electrical interconnector, and the solar cell.

Abstract: A self-powered circuit package includes a substrate and an integrated circuit (IC). The IC is mounted on a surface of the substrate. An electrical interconnector electrically couples the IC to the substrate. A solar cell is provided having opposing first and second main surfaces. A portion of the first main surface of the solar cell is configured to receive light from an external source. The solar cell converts energy of the received light into electrical power. The solar cell is disposed above the IC and electrically connected to the IC by way of the substrate to supply the generated power to the IC. A clear mold compound encapsulates a surface of the substrate, the IC, the electrical interconnector, and the solar cell.

Abstract: Forming a packaged semiconductor device includes placing a semiconductor die attached to a carrier into a mold cavity having an injection port, wherein the semiconductor die has an encapsulant exclusion region on a top surface of the semiconductor die within an outer perimeter of the top surface; and flowing an encapsulant over the semiconductor die and carrier from the injection port, wherein the encapsulant flows around the encapsulant exclusion region to surround the encapsulant exclusion region without covering the encapsulant exclusion region. The encapsulant exclusion region has a first length corresponding to a single longest distance across the encapsulant exclusion region, wherein the first length is aligned, within 30 degrees, to a line defined by a shortest distance between an entry point of the injection port into the mold cavity and an outer perimeter of the encapsulant exclusion region.

Abstract: Forming a packaged semiconductor device includes placing a semiconductor die attached to a carrier into a mold cavity having an injection port, wherein the semiconductor die has an encapsulant exclusion region on a top surface of the semiconductor die within an outer perimeter of the top surface; and flowing an encapsulant over the semiconductor die and carrier from the injection port, wherein the encapsulant flows around the encapsulant exclusion region to surround the encapsulant exclusion region without covering the encapsulant exclusion region. The encapsulant exclusion region has a first length corresponding to a single longest distance across the encapsulant exclusion region, wherein the first length is aligned, within 30 degrees, to a line defined by a shortest distance between an entry point of the injection port into the mold cavity and an outer perimeter of the encapsulant exclusion region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second flexible substrates each with first and second peripheral edges. First and second dies are attached on respective surfaces of the flexible substrates and are each respectively electrically connected to first and second metal traces. A first crimping structure electrically connects the first metal traces to the second metal traces and crimps together the first peripheral edges of the first and second substrates. A second crimping structure electrically connects the first metal traces to the second metal traces and crimps together the second peripheral edges of the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor die has a die support mounting surface mounted to a die support having external connectors. A die connection pad surface opposite to die supporting mount surface has associated die connection pads that are circuit nodes of the semiconductor die. The die connection pad surface also has a power rail pad. The power rail pad has a surface area larger than surface areas of the die connection pads. Bond wires electrically couple the power rail pad to two or more of the die connection pads.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor die has a die support mounting surface mounted to a die support having external connectors. A die connection pad surface opposite to die supporting mount surface has associated die connection pads that are circuit nodes of the semiconductor die. The die connection pad surface also has a power rail pad. The power rail pad has a surface area larger than surface areas of the die connection pads. Bond wires electrically couple the power rail pad to two or more of the die connection pads.

Abstract: A packaged integrated circuit includes a substrate having a wire layout pattern and a solder mask layer. An integrated circuit attached to a surface of the substrate is electrically connected to the wire layout pattern. An encapsulation material covers at least the integrated circuit and the solder mask layer. One or more crack seal rings are disposed on the solder mask surface. The crack seal rings are copper traces with terminals that allow current to be applied to the traces. A broken trace (open circuit condition) is indicative of a crack in the package. Thus, electrical testing is performed to detect physical defects.

Abstract: A substrate with a vent for a semiconductor device where the vent is integrated within the substrate itself. The integrated air vent forms a passageway or relief path for gas or air within a mold cavity to escape during a transfer molding packaging process. The vents integrated in the substrate reduce trapped gas and mold voids and limit vent flash to improve yield.

Abstract: A substrate with a vent for a semiconductor device where the vent is integrated within the substrate itself. The integrated air vent forms a passageway or relief path for gas or air within a mold cavity to escape during a transfer molding packaging process. The vents integrated in the substrate reduce trapped gas and mold voids and limit vent flash to improve yield.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor package includes thermal tape placed over a top side of a die that is attached to a substrate with an underfill material. The tape extends to the substrate. The tape deforms with heat and entraps the die and underfill material. Air bubbles are trapped between the tape and the die and underfill material. The tape can be weighted and lined with an adhesive material. The tape aids in preventing the die from cracking due to mishandling.