Abstract: A semiconductor device configured to reduce the size of passive components monolithically integrated with active components includes a semiconductor substrate that includes an active region, a first current-carrying electrode formed in the active region, a second current-carrying electrode formed in the active region, a control electrode configured to control current flow between the first current-carrying electrode and the second current-carrying electrode. A capacitor structure is formed over the semiconductor substrate adjacent the active region. The capacitor structure includes a first capacitor region that includes a portion of a first conductive layer formed over the semiconductor substrate. A first insulating layer is formed over the first capacitor region. A second capacitor region that includes a portion of a second conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer. In an embodiment, a contact area is coupled to the capacitor structure.

Abstract: Greater flexibility in the design of transistors (e.g., heterostructure field effect transistors) which utilize field plates over the transistor channel can be realized using a multilevel field plate. A first field plate segment formed is disposed above the channel region between the gate electrode and the second current terminal (e.g., the drain) that is separated from the gate electrode by a first volume of dielectric material. A second field plate segment is formed above the channel region and separated from the first field plate segment and the gate electrode by a second volume of dielectric material. The first field plate segment and the second field plate segment are connected to the first current terminal (e.g., the source terminal of the transistor). The second field plate segment extends above the channel region from the first end of the channel region to a second location above the channel region between the gate electrode and the second current terminal.

Abstract: Power amplifier assemblies and multiple-stage amplifier systems include first and second semiconductor dies, each of which includes an integrated transistor. The second semiconductor die is physically and electrically coupled to a die-mounting interface at a mounting surface of the first semiconductor die in a “flip-chip” orientation. This arrangement provides a multiple-stage amplifier that includes the integrated transistor of the first semiconductor die coupled in a cascade arrangement with the integrated transistor of the second semiconductor die. The first and second semiconductor dies may be formed from different semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A transistor includes a semiconductor die with an active region and one or more non-active regions that do not overlap or overlie the active region. The transistor further includes a group of multiple transistor fingers in the active region. One or more source vias are located adjacent to sides of the group of transistor fingers. One or more source manifolds are located in the non-active region(s), and the source manifold(s) electrically connect the source via(s) with at least one source region of the multiple transistor fingers.

Abstract: Placement of a field plate in a field-effect transistor is optimized by using multiple dielectric layers such that a first end of field plate is separated from a channel region of the transistor by a first set of one or more distinct dielectric material layers. A second end of the field plate overlies the channel region and a control electrode from which it is separated by the first set of dielectric layers and one or more additional dielectric layers. Relative positioning of the control electrode and the field plate are determined by a single processing step such that the field plate is self-aligned to the control electrode in order to reduce variations in transistor performance associated with manufacturing process variations.

Abstract: Placement of a field plate in a field-effect transistor is optimized by using multiple dielectric layers such that a first end of field plate is separated from a channel region of the transistor by a first set of one or more distinct dielectric material layers. A second end of the field plate overlies the channel region and a control electrode from which it is separated by the first set of dielectric layers and one or more additional dielectric layers. Relative positioning of the control electrode and the field plate are determined by a single processing step such that the field plate is self-aligned to the control electrode in order to reduce variations in transistor performance associated with manufacturing process variations.

Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed over the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first current-carrying electrode and a second current-carrying electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate within openings formed in the first dielectric layer. A control electrode is formed over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the first current-carrying electrode and a second current-carrying electrode and over the first dielectric layer. A first conductive element is formed over the first dielectric layer, adjacent the control electrode and between the control electrode and the second current-carrying electrode. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the control electrode and over the first conductive element. A second conductive element is disposed over the second dielectric layer and over the first conductive element.

Abstract: A transistor die includes input and output terminals and a source through-substrate via (TSV) between the input and output terminals. First and second primary drain contacts extend from the output terminal toward the input terminal past first and second sides, respectively, of the source TSV. An ancillary region is located adjacent to the source TSV, and boundaries of the ancillary region are defined by the source TSV, the first and second drain contacts, and one of the input terminal or the output terminal. The transistor further includes a primary transistor element, including a primary drain contact, a primary source contact, and a primary gate structure, located outside of the first ancillary region, and an ancillary transistor element, including an ancillary drain contact, an ancillary source contact, and an ancillary gate structure, located within the ancillary region.

Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer, a first current-carrying electrode, and a second current-carrying electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate. A control electrode is formed over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the first current-carrying electrode and the second current-carrying electrode. A conductive element formed over the first dielectric layer, adjacent the control electrode, and between the control electrode and the second current-carrying electrode, includes a first region formed a first distance from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate and a second region formed a second distance from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. An insulating region is formed between the control electrode and the conductive element.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a source metallization over an active area of the semiconductor substrate, a through-substrate via electrically connected to the source metallization, and an input bond pad formed in the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from the active area. The input bond pad is electrically connected to a set of gate structures. The device includes a first inductive coil over the semiconductor substrate between a first portion of the source metallization and a second portion of the source metallization and a first capacitor over the semiconductor substrate between the first portion of the source metallization and the second portion of the source metallization. The first inductive coil and the first capacitor are connected in series between the input bond pad and the through-substrate via.

Abstract: A device having a reference transistor fabricated within the same semiconductor substrate as a primary transistor (e.g., configured for use in a radiofrequency amplifier or other active circuit) has a shared metallization area coupled to a current terminal of both transistors configured to shield a control terminal of the reference transistor from coupling of alternating current interference from alternating currents within the primary transistor.

Abstract: A transistor includes a semiconductor die with an active region and one or more non-active regions that do not overlap or overlie the active region. The transistor further includes a group of multiple transistor fingers in the active region. One or more source vias are located adjacent to sides of the group of transistor fingers. One or more source manifolds are located in the non-active region(s), and the source manifold(s) electrically connect the source via(s) with at least one source region of the multiple transistor fingers.

Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed over the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first current-carrying electrode and a second current-carrying electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate within openings formed in the first dielectric layer. A control electrode is formed over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the first current-carrying electrode and a second current-carrying electrode and over the first dielectric layer. A first conductive element is formed over the first dielectric layer, adjacent the control electrode and between the control electrode and the second current-carrying electrode. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the control electrode and over the first conductive element. A second conductive element is disposed over the second dielectric layer and over the first conductive element.

Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed over the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first current-carrying electrode and a second current-carrying electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate within openings formed in the first dielectric layer. A control electrode is formed over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the first current-carrying electrode and a second current-carrying electrode and over the first dielectric layer. A first conductive element is formed over the first dielectric layer, adjacent the control electrode and between the control electrode and the second current-carrying electrode. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the control electrode and over the first conductive element. A second conductive element is disposed over the second dielectric layer and over the first conductive element.

Abstract: A transistor formed in a semiconductor substrate is provided with a cooling trench. The cooling trench is elongated and extends laterally from a first end of an elongated gate electrode disposed above a channel region of the transistor to a second end of the gate electrode in a first direction that is parallel to a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The cooling trench is coupled to the first current terminal and extends laterally from a first end to a second end of the first elongated cooling trench along the first direction and extends vertically from the first current terminal and through the top surface into the semiconductor substrate. The cooling trench is filled throughout with a thermally-conductive material configured to dissipate heat from the channel region into the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A transistor die includes input and output terminals and a source through-substrate via (TSV) between the input and output terminals. First and second primary drain contacts extend from the output terminal toward the input terminal past first and second sides, respectively, of the source TSV. An ancillary region is located adjacent to the source TSV, and boundaries of the ancillary region are defined by the source TSV, the first and second drain contacts, and one of the input terminal or the output terminal. The transistor further includes a primary transistor element, including a primary drain contact, a primary source contact, and a primary gate structure, located outside of the first ancillary region, and an ancillary transistor element, including an ancillary drain contact, an ancillary source contact, and an ancillary gate structure, located within the ancillary region.

Abstract: An amplifier module includes a module substrate with a mounting surface, a signal conducting layer, a ground layer, and a ground terminal pad at the mounting surface. A thermal dissipation structure extends through the module substrate. A ground contact of a power transistor die is coupled to a surface of the thermal dissipation structure. Encapsulant material covers the mounting surface of the module substrate and the power transistor die, and a surface of the encapsulant material defines a contact surface of the amplifier module. A ground terminal is embedded within the encapsulant material. The ground terminal has a proximal end coupled to the ground terminal pad, and a distal end exposed at the contact surface. The ground terminal is electrically coupled to the ground contact of the power transistor die through the ground terminal pad, the ground layer of the module substrate, and the thermal dissipation structure.

Abstract: Flow control elements (FCEs) and fluid apparatus including the same are described. In embodiments the flow control elements (FCE) include a body that includes a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side. The body further includes a base region, an upper region, and an intermediate region between the base region and the upper region. The FCE is configured to move in response to a fluid flow (or, more specifically, a pressure differential across the FCE) to regulate a flow of fluid past the FCE. In embodiments the FCE is included in a fluid apparatus for a vehicle, such as but not limited to a suction filter for a vehicle transmission.

Abstract: A device having a reference transistor fabricated within the same semiconductor substrate as a primary transistor (e.g., configured for use in a radiofrequency amplifier or other active circuit) has a shared metallization area coupled to a current terminal of both transistors configured to shield a control terminal of the reference transistor from coupling of alternating current interference from alternating currents within the primary transistor.

Abstract: A transistor includes a source contact connected to a Through-Silicon Via (TSV). A drain contact is connected to a first pad. A gate structure is interposed between the source contact and the drain contact. A second pad is connected to the gate structure, the second pad comprising a first side diametrically opposed to a second side, and a third side interposed therebetween, the source contact proximal to the third side, a first portion of the first side and a second portion of the second side.