Patents by Inventor Leo M. Higgins, III

Leo M. Higgins, III 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: 9287200
    Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a lead frame having a plurality of leads; a semiconductor die mounted onto the lead frame; and an encapsulant surrounding the semiconductor die. At least a portion of each of the leads is surrounded by the encapsulant, wherein, each lead includes a thin portion external to the encapsulant and a thick portion that is surrounded by the encapsulant, wherein the thin portion is thinner than the thick portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Patent number: 9269648
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a lead frame based thermally enhanced package (9) with exposed heat spreader lid array (96) designed to be optimized for compression mold encapsulation of an integrated circuit die (94) by including a perimeter reservoir regions (97r) in each heat spreader lid (96) for movement of mold compound (98) displaced during the mold compression process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Publication number: 20160020182
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for fabricating a microchip structure (70) which protects interior electrical integrated circuits and components (120) attached to a lead frame die flag (104) using a molding compound (124) that mechanically interlocks with one or more positive mold lock structures formed as dummy wire loops (114) or stud bumps (214) that are attached to the lead frame (100) and/or die flag (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Publication number: 20150380376
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of package devices and methods for making package devices for a semiconductor die. One embodiment includes a die mounting structure having a finished bond pad that includes a copper bond pad and a cobalt-containing layer over a top surface of the copper bond pad, and a wire bond structure that is bonded to a top surface of the cobalt-containing layer of the finished bond pad, where cobalt-containing material of the cobalt-containing layer is located between a bottom surface of the wire bond structure and the top surface of the copper bond pad such that the cobalt-containing material is present under a center portion of the wire bond structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: VARUGHESE MATHEW, Burton J. Carpenter, Leo M. Higgins, III, Chu-Chung Lee, Tu-Anh N. Tran
  • Patent number: 9224651
    Abstract: A method of forming a packaged semiconductor device includes loading an array of package sites in position for saw singulation, saw singulating the array of package sites, and performing a non-electrolytic plating operation on exposed lead tips of individual packages from the array of package sites as the array of package sites is saw singulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Patent number: 9219028
    Abstract: An embodiment of a packaged device includes first and second package leads, a first integrated circuit (IC) die, and a sub-assembly that includes a second IC die coupled to a substrate. The first IC die has a first coil, and the second IC die has a second coil. The first and second IC die are arranged within the device so that the first and second coils are aligned with each other across a gap between the first and second IC die, and the first and second IC die are galvanically isolated from each other. The first IC die is electrically coupled to the first package lead (e.g., with a wirebond), and a substrate bond pad is electrically coupled to the second package lead (e.g., with a wirebond). The sub-assembly also may include encapsulation at least over a wirebond that electrically couples the second IC die to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Leo M. Higgins, III, Fred T. Brauchler
  • Patent number: 9111878
    Abstract: A method includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) die assembly that includes a substrate and an IC die mounted on a portion of a major surface of the substrate, dispensing an interface material on the IC die, positioning a portion of a heat spreader in contact with the interface material, and dispensing an adhesive between one side of the heat spreader facing the IC die assembly and exposed portions of a major surface of an encapsulant on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC
    Inventors: Leo M. Higgins, III, Burton J. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9111952
    Abstract: A method includes forming a packaged integrated circuit that includes forming a lead frame by separating an outer portion of the metal structure into a plurality of leads by stamping. The plurality of leads have sides with a first concavity. The lead frame is further formed by performing an etch on the sides of the plurality of leads to achieve a second concavity on the sides of leads. The second concavity is greater than the first concavity. A semiconductor die is attached to a center portion of the metal structure. Electrical attachments are made between the die and the leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo M. Higgins, III, Sheila F. Chopin
  • Patent number: 9093383
    Abstract: A mold compound is provided for encapsulating a semiconductor device (101). The mold compound comprises at least approximately 70% by weight silica fillers, at least approximately 10% by weight epoxy resin system, and beneficial ions that are beneficial with respect to copper ball bond corrosion. A total level of the beneficial ions in the mold compound is at least approximately 100 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheila F. Chopin, Varughese Mathew, Leo M. Higgins, III, Chu-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 9059144
    Abstract: A method for forming a molded die assembly includes attaching a first major surface of a semiconductor die onto a package substrate; attaching a heat spreader to a second major surface of the semiconductor die, wherein the second major surface is opposite the first major surface, and wherein the semiconductor die, package substrate, and heat spreader form a die assembly; conforming a die release film to a transfer mold; closing the transfer mold around the die assembly such that the die release film is compressed against the heat spreader and a cavity is formed around the die assembly; transferring a thermoset material into the cavity; and releasing the die assembly from the die release film and the transfer mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo M. Higgins, III, Burton J. Carpenter, Glenn G. Daves
  • Publication number: 20150145114
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a lead frame based thermally enhanced package (9) with exposed heat spreader lid array (96) designed to be optimized for compression mold encapsulation of an integrated circuit die (94) by including a perimeter reservoir regions (97r) in each heat spreader lid (96) for movement of mold compound (98) displaced during the mold compression process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Publication number: 20150118791
    Abstract: A method of making a package substrate having a copper bond pad and a location for receiving a semiconductor die having a remnant of one of a group consisting of HEDP and an HEDP derivative on a top surface of the copper bond pad. The semiconductor die is attached to the substrate. A wirebond connection is attached between the remnant and the semiconductor die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Varughese Mathew, Burton J. Carpenter, Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Patent number: 9012263
    Abstract: A method of making a package substrate having a copper bond pad and a location for receiving a semiconductor die having a remnant of one of a group consisting of HEDP and an HEDP derivative on a top surface of the copper bond pad. The semiconductor die is attached to the substrate. A wirebond connection is attached between the remnant and the semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Varughese Mathew, Burton J. Carpenter, Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Publication number: 20150084199
    Abstract: An integrated circuit wire bond connection is provided having an aluminum bond pad (51) that is directly bonded to a copper ball (52) to form an aluminum splash structure (53) and associated crevice opening (55) at a peripheral bond edge of the copper ball (54), where the aluminum splash structure (53) is characterized by a plurality of geometric properties indicative of a reliable copper ball bond, such as lateral splash size, splash shape, relative position of splash-ball crevice to the aluminum pad, crevice width, crevice length, crevice angle, and/or crevice-pad splash index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Leo M. Higgins, III, Chu-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 8970026
    Abstract: A first set of electrically conductive cladding is disposed on an inner section of one external side of a package substrate. The first set electrically conductive cladding is fabricated with a first solder compound. A second set of electrically conductive cladding is disposed on an outer section of the one external side of the substrate. The second set of electrically conductive cladding consists of a second solder compound. The outer section can be farther away from a center of the one external side of the substrate than the inner section. During a reflow process, the first and second solder compounds are configured to become completely molten when heated and the first solder compound solidifies at a higher temperature during cool down than the second solder compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Leal, Leo M. Higgins, III, Tim V. Pham
  • Patent number: 8955388
    Abstract: A technique for testing the compatibility of an encapsulation material and a wire bond included at an unencapsulated assembly. The technique includes immersing the assembly in an encapsulating compound extract. The assembly includes a semiconductor die and a bonding wire affixed to a metalized pad of the semiconductor die by the wire bond. After the immersing, a mechanical strength of the wire bond is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Varughese Mathew, Sheila F. Chopin, Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Patent number: 8946833
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a first housing having a cavity. The pressure sensor further includes a pressure sensing device attached to a bottom of the cavity. The pressure sensor further includes a layer of gel over the pressure sensing device. The pressure sensor further includes a baffle in contact with the gel to reduce movement of the gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Publication number: 20150001691
    Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a lead frame having a plurality of leads; a semiconductor die mounted onto the lead frame; and an encapsulant surrounding the semiconductor die. At least a portion of each of the leads is surrounded by the encapsulant, wherein, each lead includes a thin portion external to the encapsulant and a thick portion that is surrounded by the encapsulant, wherein the thin portion is thinner than the thick portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: LEO M. HIGGINS, III
  • Patent number: 8921994
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a lead frame based thermally enhanced package (9) with exposed heat spreader lid array (96) designed to be optimized for compression mold encapsulation of an integrated circuit die (94) by including a perimeter reservoir regions (97r) in each heat spreader lid (96) for movement of mold compound (98) displaced during the mold compression process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo M. Higgins, III
  • Publication number: 20140367859
    Abstract: Tin-based wirebond structures and wirebonds formed thereon. In some embodiments, an electronic package includes a semiconductor die located over a substrate and a wire configured to couple a terminal of the semiconductor die to a bond pad on the substrate. A wire bond between the wire and the bond pad may include an amount of tin originated from a layer of tin alloy formed on the bond pad. In other embodiments, a wirebond structure may include a conductive layer and a layer of tin alloy located over a portion of the conductive layer. The layer of tin alloy may provide a wirebonding contact surface configured to receive a bond wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Burton J. Carpenter, Leo M. Higgins, III, Varughese Mathew, Tu-Anh N. Tran, Nhat D. Vo