Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated circuit package having improved EMI characteristics. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a ball grid array integrated circuit package is provided for attachment to a circuit board. The circuit package includes a substrate having a semiconductor die defining an electronic circuit formed thereon. A matrix of spherically-shaped package leads is disposed adjacent the substrate and opposite the semiconductor die. Conductive elements, such as bond wires, electrically connect circuit points on the semiconductor die to the package leads. Further, at least one conductive element electrically interconnects each of the leads that define a perimeter of the matrix of package leads, for electrical connection to ground. In the preferred embodiment, adjacent leads of the perimeter matrix are separated by a spacing that is no greater than 1/20 of the wavelength of the highest frequency electrical signal carried on any of the signal leads.

Abstract: Improved methods for fabricating smart cards are disclosed. Semiconductor die approximately 0.004 to 0.007 inches thick are fabricated using chemical stress relief processes and UV dicing tape. The die are positioned substantially on the neutral axis of a smart card, thereby providing smart cards having improved resistance to mechanical flexure.

Abstract: An improved electrical connection between each of a set of metallized areas (16) on a first substrate (11 ) and those on a second substrate (12), via a layer of anisotropically conductive material (22) sandwiched therebetween, is obtained by arraying the metallized areas in concentric rings about each of a plurality of fasteners (28) extending through both substrates and the material. By arraying the metallized areas in concentric rings about each fastener, the anisotropically conductive material in contact with the metallized areas arrayed in each ring will advantageously be subjected to a uniform pressure by the fastener, improving the conductivity of the material.

Abstract: A personal data card (10) is fabricated from a polymer thick-film circuit (12) formed of a polymer sheet (14) having a plurality of pads (16 and 17) and interconnecting paths (18) printed thereon with a copper-filled polymer ink. Each of a selected set of the pads (16) has a layer of nickel (22) applied to it, and then a layer of gold (24) applied above the nickel, to facilitate wire bonding of each of a plurality of aluminum leads (21), associated with a semiconductor die (19), to a corresponding pad. Use of such a polymer thick-film circuit (12) in the fabrication of the data card (10) reduces the cost of the card.

Abstract: An electronic game (10) is provided with at least one, and preferably a plurality, of intelligent game pieces (14,14' ) which each contain a re-programamble memory device (30,70). The memory device (30,70) in each of the game pieces (14 and 14', respectively), stores characteristics of an activity to be simulated by the game (10). By re-programming the game pieces (14,14'), the characteristics of the activity simulated by the game (10) can be changed to make the activity more interesting and challenging.

Abstract: A personal data card (10), comprised of a semiconductor chip (28), sealed by encapsulant (38) in an opening (26) in a body (12), is advantageously provided with a shock absorbing device (38) which substantially circumscribes the encapsulant to substantially isolate the encapsulant from the body of the card. By isolating the encapsulant from the card body, the shock absorbing device reduces the stresses transmitted from the card body into the capsulant and into the chip when the card is flexed. In this way the incidence of cracking of the chip caused by the stresses generated upon flexing of the card is reduced.

Abstract: A method of forming adherent metallized coatings on a substrate which is useful for the manufacture of printed circuit boards as well as other metal coated articles involves providing the substrate with a rubber-modified epoxy surface or coating, sputter etching at least 50 A. from the surface followed by vacuum depositing an adherent thin metal film of Cr, Ni, Ni-V alloy, Pt, Pd or Ti onto the substrate. Another metal layer is then provided over the adherent thin film.

Abstract: A method of forming adherent metallized coatings on a substrate which is useful for the manufacture of printed circuit boards as well as other metal coated articles involves providing the substrate with a rubber-modified epoxy surface or coating, sputter etching at least 50 A. from the surface followed by vacuum depositing an adherent thin metal film of Cr, Ni, Ni-V alloy, Pt, Pd or Ti onto the substrate. Another metal layer is then provided over the adherent thin film.

Abstract: A method of electrolessly plating a substrate having a rubber-modified epoxy surface includes the steps of preheating the substrate and while still warm, sputter etching at least 50A. from its surface. The substrate is then vacuum metalized with an adhesion promoting metal film, coated with a catalytic layer and a metal is electrolessly deposited thereover.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is made from a substrate having a copper clad layer thereon by means of first providing spaced through-holes through the substrate, mechanically scrubbing the surface of the substrate and then sputter etching the surface of the substrate so as to remove at least 50A. thereof from the surface and then vacuum metallizing the through-holes subsequent to sputter etching without breaking the vacuum and then finally forming a circuit pattern on the substrate by usual subtractive techniques.