Patents by Inventor Michael A. Lamson

Michael A. Lamson 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: 7795072
    Abstract: A high-performance, high I/O ball grid array substrate, designed for integrated circuit flip-chip assembly and having two patterned metal layers, comprising: an insulating layer having a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of vias filled with metal. Said first surface having one of said metal layers attached to provide electrical ground potential, and having a plurality of electrically insulated openings for outside electrical contacts. An outermost insulating film protecting the exposed surface of said ground layer, said film having a plurality of openings filled with metal suitable for solder ball attachment. Said second surface having the other of said metal layers attached, portions thereof being configured as a plurality of electrical signal lines, further portions as a plurality of first electrical power lines, and further portions as a plurality of second electrical power lines, selected signal and power lines being in contact with said vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Navinchandra Kalidas
  • Publication number: 20080195990
    Abstract: A high-performance, high I/O ball grid array substrate, designed for integrated circuit flip-chip assembly and having two patterned metal layers, comprising: an insulating layer having a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of vias filled with metal. Said first surface having one of said metal layers attached to provide electrical ground potential, and having a plurality of electrically insulated openings for outside electrical contacts. An outermost insulating film protecting the exposed surface of said ground layer, said film having a plurality of openings filled with metal suitable for solder ball attachment. Said second surface having the other of said metal layers attached, portions thereof being configured as a plurality of electrical signal lines, further portions as a plurality of first electrical power lines, and further portions as a plurality of second electrical power lines, selected signal and power lines being in contact with said vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Navinchandra Kalidas
  • Publication number: 20080157385
    Abstract: Multi-layer semiconductor devices and methods for their assembly are described in which the IC packages are endowed with vertical passive delay cells in order to approximately equalize, within selected design tolerances, the signal propagation delays among electrical traces within the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Heping Yue, Hongwei Liang, Michael A. Lamson
  • Patent number: 7265443
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor chip with a periphery and an IC organized in a core portion and a peripheral portion. The IC has a top level of interconnecting metal traces (510) from the peripheral portion to the core portion; the traces are covered by an insulating overcoat (520) which has peripheral windows to expose bond pads. The circuit further has at least one level of metal lines (511) on top of the insulating overcoat; the lines lead from the chip periphery towards the chip core, wherein each line (511) is substantially parallel to one of the traces (510) underneath the insulating overcoat and vertically aligned therewith. After assembling the chip onto a leadframe with segments (504), bonding wires (502) connect the bond pads (510a) and the metal lines (511a) with the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Howard R. Test, Michael A. Lamson
  • Patent number: 7195954
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having reduced self and mutual capacitance of bonded wires is provided by coating the wires with a foamed polymer effectively having a very low dielectric constant. Additional benefits are realized by electrically insulating the wires against short-circuiting, by cushioning the wires with a low modulus sheath, and by protecting chip bond pad metallization TABLE 1 Method of Moments Capacitance Models Wire Dimensions 25 × 25 microns Separation between Wires 63.5 microns Distance to ground ?191 microns Model Dielectric Self capacitance Mutual Capacitance constant of Wire 1 Wire 2 separation Model Dielectric Wire 1 Wire 2- Mutual cap constants self cap self cap pf/cm pf/cm pf/cm Plastic encased 4.0 1.03 0.54 1.57 package Cavity package 4./1.0/4. 0.31 0.12 0.43 Foam sheath 4./1./4./1./4. 0.34 0.16 0.50 wires/molded Wires - no 1.? 0.26 0.13 ?0.39.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Homer B. Klonis
  • Patent number: 7132740
    Abstract: A semiconductor package having a plurality of conductors arrayed in two (or more) parallel planes, and an available ground conductor. Conductors in the auxiliary or second plane substantially overlay the primary signal conductors in the first plane, and the impedance of any lead or lead pair is arbitrarily set at the assembly process by connecting the auxiliary conductors to ground or by leaving them floating. Differential pairs of signal conductors, either odd or even mode are set by connecting the auxiliary conductors to a ground contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Heping Yue
  • Patent number: 6995037
    Abstract: A high-performance, high I/O ball grid array substrate, designed for integrated circuit flip-chip assembly and having two patterned metal layers, comprising: an insulating layer having a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of vias filled with metal. Said first surface having one of said metal layers attached to provide electrical ground potential, and having a plurality of electrically insulated openings for outside electrical contacts. An outermost insulating film protecting the exposed surface of said ground layer, said film having a plurality of openings filled with metal suitable for solder ball attachment. Said second surface having the other of said metal layers attached, portions thereof being configured as a plurality of electrical signal lines, further portions as a plurality of first electrical power lines, and further portions as a plurality of second electrical power lines, selected signal and power lines being in contact with said vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Navinchandra Kalidas
  • Patent number: 6822340
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having reduced self and mutual capacitance of bonded wires is provided by coating the wires with a foamed polymer effectively having a very low dielectric constant. Additional benefits are realized by electrically insulating the wires against short-circuiting, by cushioning, the wires with a low modulus sheath, and by protecting chip bond pad metallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Homer B. Klonis
  • Patent number: 6820046
    Abstract: According to the electrical modeling system and method provided by the present invention, the electronic structure to be modeled is segmented into an ordered sequence of segments, each segment is electrically analyzed individually, and the resulting data is collated, or integrated back again whereby the model output is preferably created in a format generally suitable for electrical models of integrated circuits. Examples of electronic structures which can be modeled by the system and method of the invention include leadframes, packages, complete devices, and electronic devices assembled on motherboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Subhendu Kundu, Ramani Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20040207096
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having reduced self and mutual capacitance of bonded wires is provided by coating the wires with a foamed polymer effectively having a very low dielectric constant. Additional benefits are realized by electrically insulating the wires against short-circuiting, by cushioning the wires with a low modulus sheath, and by protecting chip bond pad metallization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Homer B. Klonis
  • Patent number: 6794743
    Abstract: A high-performance, high I/O ball grid array substrate, designed for integrated circuit flip-chip assembly and having two patterned metal layers, comprising: an insulating layer having a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of vias filled with metal. Said first surface having one of said metal layers attached to provide electrical ground potential, and having a plurality of electrically insulated openings for outside electrical contacts. An outermost insulating film protecting the exposed surface of said ground layer, said film having a plurality of openings filled with metal suitable for solder ball attachment. Said second surface having the other of said metal layers attached, portions thereof being configured as a plurality of electrical signal lines, further portions as a plurality of first electrical power lines, and further portions as a plurality of second electrical power lines, selected signal and power lines being in contact with said vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Navinchandra Kalidas
  • Publication number: 20040108586
    Abstract: A high-performance, high I/O ball grid array substrate, designed for integrated circuit flip-chip assembly and having two patterned metal layers, comprising: an insulating layer having a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of vias filled with metal. Said first surface having one of said metal layers attached to provide electrical ground potential, and having a plurality of electrically insulated openings for outside electrical contacts. An outermost insulating film protecting the exposed surface of said ground layer, said film having a plurality of openings filled with metal suitable for solder ball attachment. Said second surface having the other of said metal layers attached, portions thereof being configured as a plurality of electrical signal lines, further portions as a plurality of first electrical power lines, and further portions as a plurality of second electrical power lines, selected signal and power lines being in contact with said vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Navinchandra Kalidas
  • Publication number: 20030201519
    Abstract: A semiconductor package having a plurality of conductors arrayed in two (or more) parallel planes, and an available ground conductor. Conductors in the auxiliary or second plane substantially overlay the primary signal conductors in the first plane, and the impedance of any lead or lead pair is arbitrarily set at the assembly process by connecting the auxiliary conductors to ground or by leaving them floating. Differential pairs of signal conductors, either odd or even mode are set by connecting the auxiliary conductors to a ground contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Heping Yue
  • Patent number: 6563208
    Abstract: A semiconductor package having a plurality of conductors arrayed in two (or more) parallel planes, and an available ground conductor. Conductors in the auxiliary or second plane substantially overlay the primary signal conductors in the first plane, and the impedance of any lead or lead pair is arbitrarily set at the assembly process by connecting the auxiliary conductors to ground or by leaving them floating. Differential pairs of signal conductors, either odd or even mode are set by connecting the auxiliary conductors to a ground contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Heping Yue
  • Patent number: 6518663
    Abstract: An electrical connection web, operable at high frequency and configured on a dielectric substrate, comprising a plurality of generally parallel signal lines having graduated width and variable spacings, and said widths and spacings cooperatively selected such that the characteristic impedance of said signal lines is approximately the same for each line of said plurality and approximately constant over the length of each said signal line, whereby signal integrity for each said line is enhanced and cross talk between said lines is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard D. James, Michael A. Lamson
  • Patent number: 6424027
    Abstract: A semiconductor package substrate for assembling an integrated circuit chip operable at fast ramp rate signals and clock rates, comprising an insulating support having a region for attaching said chip; a pattern of electrical interconnections, disposed on said substrate in one metallization level and operable for transmitting waveforms; and a low pass filter for removing unwanted high frequency components from said transmitted waveforms, comprising a network of inductors and capacitors formed within said one metallization level and positioned substantially within said substrate region for chip attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Heping Yue, Truong Ho
  • Publication number: 20020089069
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having reduced self and mutual capacitance of bonded wires is provided by coating the wires with a foamed polymer effectively having a very low dielectric constant. Additional benefits are realized by electrically insulating the wires against short-circuiting, by cushioning, the wires with a low modulus sheath, and by protecting, protecting chip bond pad metallization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Homer B. Klonis
  • Publication number: 20020003291
    Abstract: A semiconductor package having a plurality of conductors arrayed in two (or more) parallel planes, and an available ground conductor. Conductors in the auxiliary or second plane substantially overlay the primary signal conductors in the first plane, and the impedance of any lead or lead pair is arbitrarily set at the assembly process by connecting the auxiliary conductors to ground or by leaving them floating. Differential pairs of signal conductors, either odd or even mode are set by connecting the auxiliary conductors to a ground contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Michael A. Lamson, Heping Yue
  • Patent number: 6323116
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip package is provided which incorporates one or more differential pairs of signal lines coupled to an integrated circuit chip. The differential pairs each include a first signal line and a second signal line. The first signal lines are non-coplanar with the second signal lines. The first signal lines of the differential pairs may be provided in a first plane. The second signal lines of the differential pairs may be provided in a second plane different from the first plane. A first ground plane is provided adjacent the first signal lines and a second ground plane is provided adjacent the second signal lines. The spacing of respective signal lines provides, among other things, the capability of having a greater density of differential pairs of signal lines within the planar area of an integrated circuit chip package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael A. Lamson
  • Patent number: 6084777
    Abstract: A ball grid array package (10) is provided that includes a heat spreader (14), a stiffener (13), a substrate (16), and a die or chip (12). The stiffener (13) is mounted to the heat spreader (14) and has a cavity formed therein. The stiffener (13) may serve as either a ground plane or a power plane of ball grid array package (10), depending on the desired implementation. The substrate (16) includes a signal plane (30) and a power bus (28) on a first surface and has a cavity formed therein. The substrate (16) is mounted to the stiffener (13) through a second surface. The substrate (16) further having at least one hole formed from the first surface to the second surface and a plurality of solder balls, similar to solder ball (20), to provide an external connection to the ball grid array package (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Navinchandra Kalidas, Nozar Hassanzadeh, Michael A. Lamson