Abstract: A lead-frame based substrate panel for use in semiconductor packaging is described. The substrate panel includes a lead-frame panel having at least one array of device areas. Each device area has a plurality of contacts. The lead-frame panel is filled with a dielectric material to form a relatively rigid substrate panel that can be used for packaging integrated circuits. The top surface of the dielectric material is typically substantially coplanar with the top surface of the lead-frame panel, and the bottom surface of the dielectric material is typically substantially coplanar with the bottom surface of the lead-frame panel.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a panel of packaged integrated circuits is disclosed. A substrate panel having an array of integrated circuits mounted thereon is placed in a mold having a molding chamber. The molding chamber has a multiplicity of adjacent package recesses flowably interconnected by way of a plurality of molding compound flowgates. Each package recess is suitable for receiving at least one associated integrated circuits. A molding compound is passed into the molding chamber by way of a mold gate such that at least some of the molding compound passes through a plurality of different package recesses by way of their associated flowgates. In one embodiment, the mold includes a mold body having a molding chamber with a plurality of ridges that define the multiplicity of package recesses within the molding chamber. The multiplicity of package recesses are flowably interconnected through flowgates formed by the ridges.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus for eutectically bonding tape leads to semiconductors and other substrates includes four separate bonding rails for applying heat. The bonding rails have a preselected distribution of mass along their length in order to compensate for uneven heating characteristics which are normally observed in linear heating elements. Usually, four such heat elements are orthogonally arranged at the bottom ends of four electric power buses. By attaching the heating elements to adjacent power buses, and coupling diagonally opposed pairs of the power buses to the positive and negative polarity of a current source, substantially uniform heating of all four elements may be achieved. The ability to provide uniform heating is critical for properly forming eutectic bonds.