Patents by Inventor Howard E. Chen

Howard E. Chen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11233014
    Abstract: Signal isolation for module with ball grid array. In some embodiments, a packaged module can include a packaging substrate having an underside, and an arrangement of conductive features implemented on the underside of the packaging substrate to allow the packaged module to be capable of being mounted on a circuit board. The arrangement of conductive features can include a signal feature implemented at a first region and configured for passing of a signal, and one or more shielding features placed at a selected location relative to the signal feature to provide an enhanced isolation between the signal feature and a second region of the underside of the packaging substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Chen, David Viveiros, Jr., Russ Alan Reisner, Robert Francis Darveaux
  • Patent number: 11139257
    Abstract: According to certain aspects, a method for manufacturing packaged radio-frequency (RF) devices can include: providing a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, the packaging substrate including a first side and a second side; mounting a first circuit on the first side of the packaging substrate; implementing a first overmold structure on the first side of the packaging substrate, the first overmold structure substantially encapsulating the first component; mounting a second component on the second side of the packaging substrate, the second component being located in an area of the second side where redundant ground pins may be located; implementing a set of through-mold connections on the second side of the packaging substrate, the set of through-mold connections including signal pins and ground pins; forming a second overmold structure over the component and the set of through-mold connections; and removing a portion of the second overmold structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Chen, Robert Francis Darveaux, Anthony James Lobianco
  • Patent number: 11127690
    Abstract: A packaged radio-frequency device is disclosed, including a packaging substrate configured to receive one or more components, the packaging substrate including a first side and a second side. A shielded package may be implemented on the first side of the packaging substrate, the shielded package including a first circuit and a first overmold structure, the shielded package configured to provide radio-frequency shielding for at least a portion of the first circuit. A set of through-mold connections may be implemented on the second side of the packaging substrate, the set of through-mold connections defining a mounting volume on the second side of the packaging substrate. The device may include a component implemented within the mounting volume and a second overmold structure substantially encapsulating one or more of the component or the set of through-mold connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Chen, Robert Francis Darveaux
  • Patent number: 10980106
    Abstract: Apparatus related to conformal coating implemented with surface mount devices. In some embodiments, a radio-frequency (RF) module includes a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components. The RF also includes a surface mount device (SMD) mounted on the packaging substrate, the SMD including a metal layer that faces upward when mounted. The RF module further includes an overmold formed over the packaging substrate, the overmold dimensioned to cover the SMD. The RF module further includes an opening defined by the overmold at a region over the SMD, the opening having a depth sufficient to expose at least a portion of the metal layer. The RF module further includes a conformal conductive layer formed over the overmold, the conformal conductive layer configured to fill at least a portion of the opening to provide an electrical path between the conformal conductive layer and the metal layer of the SMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony James Lobianco, Howard E. Chen, Robert Francis Darveaux, Hoang Mong Nguyen, Matthew Sean Read, Lori Ann Deorio
  • Publication number: 20210045231
    Abstract: Devices and methods related to metallization of ceramic substrates for shielding applications. In some embodiments, a method for fabricating a ceramic device can include forming a plurality of conductive features on or through a selected layer along a boundary between a first region and a second region, each conductive feature extending into the first region and the second region. The method can also include forming an assembly that includes the selected layer and one or more other layers. The method can further include separating the first region and the second region along the boundary such that each of the first region and the second region forms a side wall, the side wall including exposed portions of the conductive features, the exposed portions capable of forming electrical connection with a conductive shielding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Shaul BRANCHEVSKY, Howard E. CHEN, Anthony James LOBIANCO
  • Patent number: 10854559
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed, related to shielding and packaging of radio-frequency (RF) devices on substrates. In some embodiments, a method for providing electro-magnetic interference shielding for a radio-frequency module can include applying a metal-based covering over a portion of a lead-frame package, the package having a plurality of pins with at least one pin exposed from overmold compound and in contact with the metal-based covering. The method can also include mounting the lead-frame package on a substrate. The method can further include connecting the metal-based covering to a ground plane of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard E. Chen
  • Publication number: 20200321287
    Abstract: A packaged radio-frequency device is disclosed, including a packaging substrate configured to receive one or more components, the packaging substrate including a first side and a second side. A shielded package may be implemented on the first side of the packaging substrate, the shielded package including a first circuit and a first overmold structure, the shielded package configured to provide radio-frequency shielding for at least a portion of the first circuit. A set of through-mold connections may be implemented on the second side of the packaging substrate, the set of through-mold connections defining a mounting volume on the second side of the packaging substrate. The device may include a component implemented within the mounting volume and a second overmold structure substantially encapsulating one or more of the component or the set of through-mold connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Howard E. CHEN, Robert Francis DARVEAUX
  • Publication number: 20200321272
    Abstract: Module with ball grid array having increased die area. In some embodiments, a packaged module can include a packaging substrate having side edges, and a grid array arranged on an underside of the packaging substrate. The grid array can include a plurality of mounting features arranged in at least two rows, with each row being along the respective side edge of the packaging substrate, such that at least one side edge of the packaging substrate is without a row of mounting features. The packaged module can further include a component mounted to the underside of the packaging substrate and within a mountable area defined by the at least two rows of mounting features and the at least one side edge of the packaging substrate without the row of mounting features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Bipul AGARWAL, Howard E. CHEN, Mahitha VALLAMPATI RAGHURAM, Shaul BRANCHEVSKY
  • Patent number: 10771101
    Abstract: Devices and methods related to packaging of radio-frequency (RF) devices on ceramic substrates. In some embodiments, a packaged electronic device can include a ceramic substrate configured to receive one or more components. The ceramic substrate can include a conductive layer in electrical contact with a ground plane. The packaged electronic device can further include a die having an integrated circuit and mounted on a surface of the ceramic substrate. The packaged electronic device can further include a conformal conductive coating implemented over the die to provide shielding functionality. The packaged electronic device can further include an electrical connection between the conformal conductive coating and the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony James Lobianco, Howard E. Chen, David Scott Whitefield
  • Patent number: 10729001
    Abstract: Devices and method related to metallization of ceramic substrates for shielding applications. In some embodiments, a ceramic assembly includes a plurality of layers, the assembly including a boundary between a first region and a second region, the assembly further including a selected layer having a plurality of conductive features along the boundary, each conductive feature extending into the first region and the second region such that when the first region and the second region are separated to form their respective side walls, each side wall includes exposed portions of the conductive features capable of forming electrical connection with a conductive shielding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaul Branchevsky, Howard E. Chen, Anthony James Lobianco
  • Publication number: 20200229298
    Abstract: Apparatus related to conformal coating implemented with surface mount devices. In some embodiments, a radio-frequency (RF) module includes a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components. The RF also includes a surface mount device (SMD) mounted on the packaging substrate, the SMD including a metal layer that faces upward when mounted. The RF module further includes an overmold formed over the packaging substrate, the overmold dimensioned to cover the SMD. The RF module further includes an opening defined by the overmold at a region over the SMD, the opening having a depth sufficient to expose at least a portion of the metal layer. The RF module further includes a conformal conductive layer formed over the overmold, the conformal conductive layer configured to fill at least a portion of the opening to provide an electrical path between the conformal conductive layer and the metal layer of the SMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony James LOBIANCO, Howard E. CHEN, Robert Francis DARVEAUX, Hoang Mong NGUYEN, Matthew Sean READ, Lori Ann DEORIO
  • Publication number: 20200227364
    Abstract: According to certain aspects, a method for manufacturing packaged radio-frequency (RF) devices can include: providing a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, the packaging substrate including a first side and a second side; mounting a first circuit on the first side of the packaging substrate; implementing a first overmold structure on the first side of the packaging substrate, the first overmold structure substantially encapsulating the first component; mounting a second component on the second side of the packaging substrate, the second component being located in an area of the second side where redundant ground pins may be located; implementing a set of through-mold connections on the second side of the packaging substrate, the set of through-mold connections including signal pins and ground pins; forming a second overmold structure over the component and the set of through-mold connections; and removing a portion of the second overmold structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Howard E. CHEN, Robert Francis DARVEAUX, Anthony James LOBIANCO
  • Publication number: 20200161255
    Abstract: Shielded radio-frequency (RF) module having reduced area. In some embodiments, an RF module can include a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, and a plurality of shielding wirebonds implemented on the packaging substrate and configured to provide RF shielding functionality for one or more regions on the packaging substrate. The packaging substrate can include a first area associated with implementation of each shielding wirebond. The RF module can further include one or more devices mounted on the packaging substrate. The packaging substrate can further include a second area associated with mounting of each of the one or more devices. Each device can be mounted with respect to a corresponding shielding wirebond such that the second area associated with the device overlaps at least partially with the first area associated with the corresponding shielding wirebond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Howard E. CHEN, Matthew Sean READ
  • Publication number: 20200161222
    Abstract: According to certain aspects, a method can include: providing a packaging substrate having an upper side, a lower side, and a ground plane; implementing a radio-frequency circuit assembly on both of the upper and lower sides; forming an upper overmold on the upper side to cover an upper portion of the radio-frequency circuit assembly; forming one or more openings through the upper overmold to expose contact pads on the upper side; covering an upper surface and the one or more openings of the upper overmold with a conductive layer; implementing a plurality of contact features on the lower side; forming a lower overmold on the lower side to cover a lower portion of the radio-frequency circuit assembly and some or all of each of the contact features on the lower side; and processing the lower overmold to expose the contact features to allow the dual-sided module to be mounted on a circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Howard E. CHEN, Robert Francis DARVEAUX, Hoang Mong NGUYEN, Anthony James LOBIANCO
  • Publication number: 20200161254
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed, related to shielding and packaging of radio-frequency (RF) devices on substrates. In some embodiments, a method for providing electro-magnetic interference shielding for a radio-frequency module can include applying a metal-based covering over a portion of a lead-frame package, the package having a plurality of pins with at least one pin exposed from overmold compound and in contact with the metal-based covering. The method can also include mounting the lead-frame package on a substrate. The method can further include connecting the metal-based covering to a ground plane of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventor: Howard E. CHEN
  • Patent number: 10615841
    Abstract: Described herein are radio-frequency (RF) modules that include shielding for improved RF performance. The RF modules including a packaging substrate with a receiving system implemented thereon. The RF module includes a shield implemented to provide RF shielding for at least a portion of the receiving system. The receiving system can include any combination of pre-amplifier or post-amplifier bandpass filters, amplifiers, switching networks, impedance matching components, phase-shifting components, input multiplexers, and output multiplexers. The shielding can include a conductive layer within a conformal shielding on an upper side and side walls of the RF module. The shielding can be an overmold formed over the packaging substrate. The conductive layer can be connected to one or more ground planes. The packaging substrate can include contact features on an underside of the substrate for mounting an underside component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yi Liu, Anthony James Lobianco, Matthew Sean Read, Hoang Mong Nguyen, Howard E. Chen, Stephane Richard Marie Wloczysiak, William J. Domino, Bipul Agarwal
  • Patent number: 10607944
    Abstract: A packaged radio-frequency device is disclosed, including a packaging substrate configured to receive one or more components, the packaging substrate including a first side and a second side. A shielded package may be implemented on the first side of the packaging substrate, the shielded package including a first circuit and a first overmold structure, the shielded package configured to provide radio-frequency shielding for at least a portion of the first circuit. A set of through-mold connections may be implemented on the second side of the packaging substrate, the set of through-mold connections defining a mounting volume on the second side of the packaging substrate. The device may include a component implemented within the mounting volume and a second overmold structure substantially encapsulating one or more of the component or the set of through-mold connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Chen, Robert Francis Darveaux
  • Patent number: 10586010
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to determining a layout of a racetrack that forms part of an RF isolation structure of a packaged module and the resulting RF isolation structures. Locations of where the racetrack can be adjusted (for example, narrowed) and/or removed without significantly degrading the EMI performance of the RF isolation structure can be identified. In certain embodiments, a portion of the racetrack can be removed to create a break and/or a portion of the racetrack can be narrowed in a selected area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Chen, Matthew Sean Read, Hoang Mong Nguyen, Anthony James LoBianco, Guohao Zhang, Dinhphuoc Vu Hoang
  • Patent number: 10580741
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods related to a conductive paint layer configured to provide radio-frequency (RF) shielding for a packaged semiconductor module. Such a module can include a packaging substrate, one or more RF components mounted on the packaging substrate, a ground plane disposed within the packaging substrate, and a plurality of RF-shielding wirebonds disposed on the packaging substrate and electrically connected to the ground plane. The module can further include an overmold structure formed over the packaging substrate and dimensioned to substantially encapsulate the RF component(s) and the RF-shielding wirebonds. The overmold structure can define an upper surface that exposes upper portions of the RF-shielding wirebonds. The module can further include a conductive paint layer having silver flakes disposed on the upper surface of the overmold structure so that the conductive paint layer, the RF-shielding wirebonds, and the ground plane form an RF-shield for the RF component(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Sean Read, Hoang Mong Nguyen, Anthony James LoBianco, Howard E. Chen, Dinhphuoc Vu Hoang
  • Patent number: 10579766
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a packaged module with a radio frequency isolation structure that includes a racetrack, a conductive layer, and a conductive feature in an electrical path between the racetrack and the conductive layer. The racetrack can be disposed in a substrate and configured at a ground potential. The racetrack can include a break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Chen, Matthew Sean Read, Hoang Mong Nguyen, Anthony James LoBianco, Guohao Zhang, Dinhphuoc Vu Hoang