Patents by Inventor Kurt P. Wachtler

Kurt P. Wachtler 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: 9312253
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device provides a first chip having first terminals, a second chip having second terminals, and a third chip having third terminals. A first silicon interposer having first through silicon vias TSVs and a second silicon interposer having second TSVs is provided. The first TSVs are arrayed in a first, a second, and a third set. The first set is located in a first interposer region and matching the first terminals. The second set is located in a second interposer region and matching the second terminals. The third set is located in a third interposer region between the first and second regions and matching the TSVs of the second interposer and the third terminals. The first chip is aligned with the first set TSVs. The second chip is aligned with the second set TSVs. The second interposer is aligned with the third set TSVs. A solder of a first melting temperature is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kevin Lyne, Kurt P. Wachtler
  • Publication number: 20150111318
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device provides a first chip having first terminals, a second chip having second terminals, and a third chip having third terminals. A first silicon interposer having first through silicon vias TSVs and a second silicon interposer having second TSVs is provided. The first TSVs are arrayed in a first, a second, and a third set. The first set is located in a first interposer region and matching the first terminals. The second set is located in a second interposer region and matching the second terminals. The third set is located in a third interposer region between the first and second regions and matching the TSVs of the second interposer and the third terminals. The first chip is aligned with the first set TSVs. The second chip is aligned with the second set TSVs. The second interposer is aligned with the third set TSVs. A solder of a first melting temperature is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Lyne, Kurt P. Wachtler
  • Patent number: 8957525
    Abstract: A standard memory chip (150) is vertically assembled with two processor chips (130, 140) of split architecture by means of a small silicon interposer (120) stacked onto a large silicon interposer (110); both interposers include through-silicon vias (TSVs), while the chips are free of TSVs. The TSVs of small interposer (120) connect to the memory chip (150) and to the bottom interposer (110). Symmetrically positioned relative to interposer (120), and connected to it by short signal traces, chips (130, 140) are attached to the TSVs of interposer 110, which in turn is attached to a substrate (160) with supply connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Lyne, Kurt P. Wachtler
  • Publication number: 20140159247
    Abstract: A standard memory chip (150) is vertically assembled with two processor chips (130, 140) of split architecture by means of a small silicon interposer (120) stacked onto a large silicon interposer (110); both interposers include through-silicon vias (TSVs), while the chips are free of TSVs. The TSVs of small interposer (120) connect to the memory chip (150) and to the bottom interposer (110). Symmetrically positioned relative to interposer (120), and connected to it by short signal traces, chips (130, 140) are attached to the TSVs of interposer 110, which in turn is attached to a substrate (160) with supply connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kevin Lyne, Kurt P. Wachtler
  • Patent number: 8430969
    Abstract: A process flow exposing and cleaning contact surfaces employing a liquid cleaning agent such as flux to penetrate the interface between the glassy coats and the surface of metal and to delaminate the coats from the metal, and then, at elevated temperatures, to use the agent's vapor pressure to break up the glassy coats into smaller pieces. The glassy coats are prevented by their low density to penetrate into the molten solder. Finally, at ambient temperature, the floating filler debris is water-washed and rinsed away. Cleaning agents include low-viscosity liquids (oils) and flux, which do not decompose at elevated temperatures and are mixed with components operable to provide, at the elevated temperatures, the fumes for sufficient vapor pressure to break up and dislodge the coats from the metal contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A Gerber, Kurt P Wachtler
  • Patent number: 8309388
    Abstract: A hermetic MEMS device (100) comprising a carrier (110) having a surface (111) including a device (101) and an attachment stripe (122), the stripe spaced from the device and surrounding the device; a metallic foil (102) having a central bulge portion (103) and a peripheral rim portion (104) meeting the stripe, the bulge cross section parallel to the carrier monotonically decreasing from the rim (104) towards the bulge apex (105); and the foil positioned over the carrier surface so that the bulge arches over the device and the rim forms a seal with the stripe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kurt P. Wachtler, Wei-Yan Shih, Gregory E. Howard
  • Patent number: 8133761
    Abstract: A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A Gerber, Kurt P Wachtler, Abram M. Castro
  • Patent number: 8030137
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a first (101) and a second (111) semiconductor chip assembled on an insulating flexible interposer (120). The interposer, preferably about 25 to 50 ?m thick, has conductive traces (121), a central planar rectangular area and on each side of the rectangle a wing bent at an angle from the central plane. The central area has metal studs (122, 123) on the top and the bottom surface, which match the terminals of the chips, further conductive vias of a pitch center-to-center about 50 ?m or less. The side wings have contact pads (130) with metallic connectors (131) on the bottom surface; the connectors may be solder balls, metal studs, or anisotropic conductive films. The second chip is adhesively attached to a substrate, whereby the interposer faces away from the substrate. The interposer side wings have a convex bending (150) downwardly along the second chip and a concave bending (151) over the substrate; the side wing connectors are attached to the matching substrate sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kurt P Wachtler
  • Publication number: 20110075306
    Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device (200) with a substrate (220) having, sandwiched in an insulator (221), a flat sheet-like sieve member (240) made of a non-linear material switching from insulator to conductor mode at a preset voltage. Both member surfaces are free of indentations; the member is perforated by through-holes, which are grouped into a first set (241) and a second set (242). Metal traces (251) over one member surface are positioned across the first set through-holes (241); each trace is connected to a terminal on the substrate top and, through the hole, to a terminal on the substrate bottom. Analogous for metal traces (252) over the opposite member surface and second set through-holes (242). Traces (252) overlap with a portion of traces (252) to form the locations for the conductivity switches, creating local ultra-low resistance bypasses to ground for discharging overstress events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yves Leduc, Nathalie Messina, Charvaka Duvvury, Kurt P. Wachtler
  • Patent number: 7872841
    Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device (200) with a substrate (220) having, sandwiched in an insulator (221), a flat sheet-like sieve member (240) made of a non-linear material switching from insulator to conductor mode at a preset voltage. Both member surfaces are free of indentations; the member is perforated by through-holes, which are grouped into a first set (241) and a second set (242). Metal traces (251) over one member surface are positioned across the first set through-holes (241); each trace is connected to a terminal on the substrate top and, through the hole, to a terminal on the substrate bottom. Analogous for metal traces (252) over the opposite member surface and second set through-holes (242). Traces (252) overlap with a portion of traces (252) to form the locations for the conductivity switches, creating local ultra-low resistance bypasses to ground for discharging overstress events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Yves Leduc, Nathalie Messina, Charvaka Duvvury, Kurt P. Wachtler
  • Publication number: 20090267223
    Abstract: A hermetic MEMS device (100) comprising a carrier (110) having a surface (111) including a device (101) and an attachment stripe (122), the stripe spaced from the device and surrounding the device; a metallic foil (102) having a central bulge portion (103) and a peripheral rim portion (104) meeting the stripe, the bulge cross section parallel to the carrier monotonically decreasing from the rim (104) towards the bulge apex (105); and the foil positioned over the carrier surface so that the bulge arches over the device and the rim forms a seal with the stripe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kurt P. WACHTLER, Wei-Yan SHIH, Gregory E. HOWARD
  • Publication number: 20090258459
    Abstract: A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark A. GERBER, Kurt P. Wachtler, Abram M. Castro
  • Patent number: 7573139
    Abstract: A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A. Gerber, Kurt P. Wachtler, Abram M. Castro
  • Patent number: 7569918
    Abstract: A semiconductor system (300) has one or more packaged active subsystems (310, 330); each subsystem has a substrate with electrical contact pads and one or more semiconductor chips stacked on top of each other, assembled on the substrate. The system further has a packaged passive subsystem (320) including a substrate with electrical contacts and passive electrical components, such as resistors, capacitors, and indictors. The passive subsystem is stacked with the active subsystems and connected to them by solder bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A. Gerber, Kurt P. Wachtler, Abram M. Castro
  • Publication number: 20080315387
    Abstract: A semiconductor system (300) has one or more packaged active subsystems (310, 330); each subsystem has a substrate with electrical contact pads and one or more semiconductor chips stacked on top of each other, assembled on the substrate. The system further has a packaged passive subsystem (320) including a substrate with electrical contacts and passive electrical components, such as resistors, capacitors, and indictors. The passive subsystem is stacked with the active subsystems and connected to them by solder bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark A. GERBER, Kurt P. WACHTLER, Abram M. CASTRO
  • Publication number: 20080278873
    Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device (200) with a substrate (220) having, sandwiched in an insulator (221), a flat sheet-like sieve member (240) made of a non-linear material switching from insulator to conductor mode at a preset voltage. Both member surfaces are free of indentations; the member is perforated by through-holes, which are grouped into a first set (241) and a second set (242). Metal traces (251) over one member surface are positioned across the first set through-holes (241); each trace is connected to a terminal on the substrate top and, through the hole, to a terminal on the substrate bottom. Analogous for metal traces (252) over the opposite member surface and second set through-holes (242). Traces (252) overlap with a portion of traces (252) to form the locations for the conductivity switches, creating local ultra-low resistance bypasses to ground for discharging overstress events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yves Leduc, Nathalie Messina, Charvaka Duvvury, Kurt P. Wachtler
  • Publication number: 20080258286
    Abstract: A package-on-package system (100) has a first subsystem (191) interconnected with a second subsystem (192) by solder connectors (193). The first subsystem has an insulating, trace-laminated, sheet-like carrier (101), which is laminated (102) with an insulating trace-laminated frame (110) exposing a central portion (103) of the carrier. A first chip (160) is disposed in the central portion, with a second chip (170) on top; the height of the assembled chips approximates the frame height (111). Bondable contact pads (104) are in the central portion, and solderable terminals (121; pitch center-to-center 0.65 mm or less) on the frame. The second subsystem has a laminated substrate (194) with at least one chip (196) attached, and terminals (195) in locations matching the terminals (121) on the frame of the first subsystem. The terminals of both subsystems are interconnected with solder (193) of a higher reflow temperature than additional solder balls (190) for connecting to external parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark A. Gerber, Kurt P. Wachtler, Abram M. Castro
  • Publication number: 20080246138
    Abstract: A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: MARK A. GERBER, KURT P. WACHTLER, ABRAM M. CASTRO
  • Patent number: 7390700
    Abstract: A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A. Gerber, Kurt P. Wachtler, Abram M. Castro
  • Publication number: 20040129451
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for manufacturing semiconductor device dies and for separating dies from a semiconductor wafer, wherein one or more channels are etched in the top of the wafer between individual die areas. Material is then removed from the bottom side of the wafer in order to separate the individual dies. Methods are also disclosed for removing material from the bottom side of the wafer dies, wherein a contoured surface is provided on the die bottom, such as through an etching process. In addition, methods are disclosed for removing material from the bottom side of a wafer, and for securing a semiconductor device to a surface. Semiconductor wafers and dies are also disclosed having contoured bottom surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Kurt P. Wachtler