Abstract: An offset die stacking arrangement is disclosed having at least one upper level die having a width which is less than the distance separating the opposing bonding sites of the underlying die. The lowest die is affixed to the substrate within a recess in the substrate. The upper die is fixed above the lower die and rotated within a plane parallel to the lower die through an angle which insures that none of the bonding sites of the lower die are obstructed by the upper die. Once the dice are fixed in this manner, the entire assembly is subjected to the wire bonding process with all of the bonds being made in the same step.

Abstract: An offset die stacking arrangement is disclosed having at least one upper level die having a width which is less than the distance separating the opposing bonding sites of the underlying die. The upper die is fixed above the lower die and rotated within a plane parallel to the lower die through an angle which insures that none of the bonding sites of the lower die are obstructed by the upper die. Once the dice are fixed in this manner, the entire assembly is subjected to the wire bonding process with all of the bonds being made in the same step.

Abstract: An extended travel wire bonding machine that includes a first positioning table movable along an X axis in a first horizontal plane, a second positioning table movable along X and Y axes in a second horizontal plane, the second positioning table being supported on the first positioning table, and a bond head supported on the second positioning table. The wire bonding machine may also include a bonding tool attached to the bond head and a carrier for supporting the leadframe strip under the bonding tool. The first positioning table is moveable for substantially the entire length of the leadframe strip to allow the bonding tool to be successively moved over each semiconductor die on the leadframe strip.

Abstract: An illumination subsystem which is used in conjunction with a mechanical vision system and which has a plurality of intensity adjustable monochromatic light sources, at least two of which are of different wavelength illumination. An oblique illumination assembly is positioned off to the side of the video camera and is pointed at the subject to be viewed. A direct illumination assembly is positioned within the light path of the lens of the camera to facilitate direct illumination of the subject. The intensity of the emitters as well as there colors can be adjusted to provided optimum recognition for the mechanical vision system.

Abstract: An offset die stacking arrangement is disclosed having at least one upper level die having a width which is less than the distance separating the opposing bonding sites of the underlying die. The upper die is suspended above the lower die on one or more pillars and rotated within a plane parallel to the lower die through an angle which insures that none of the bonding sites of the lower die are obstructed by the upper die. Once the dice are fixed in this manner, the entire assembly is subjected to the wire bonding process with all of the bonds being made in the same step.

Abstract: A multiple face angle wire bonding capillary of the present invention has an elongated hole therethrough terminating at one end of the capillary tip, and a face on the end of the capillary tip extending away from the hole at multiple angles of increasing magnitude.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming improved wire bonds between the contact pads on semiconductor devices and individual lead frame fingers of a lead frame. The present invention includes the use of an individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process to provide increased stability of the individual lead finger for improved bonding. If desired, the present invention also provides for the use of a conventional fixed clamp for the lead fingers during the wire bonding process in addition to the individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process to provide increased stability of the individual lead finger for improved bonding. The present invention also contemplates the replacement of the fixed clamp with another, or second, independent clamp in addition to the first individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process.

Abstract: A lead finger of a lead frame in a lead package system for a semiconductor die includes a tread on a surface of the lead finger for increasing adhesion between the finger and an adhesive tape, the tape communicating between the tread and the die. The tread substantially minimizes lead finger bounce upon wire bonding the lead finger with the die. The tread is patterned to provide optimum surface area for adhesion with the adhesive tape. The tread includes a groove and/or cavity stamped or etched on the surface of the lead finger.

Abstract: An improved method for teaching the location of a bond site on a selected lead finger of a semiconductor leadframe during a wire bonding process is provided. Initially, the location of the lateral edges and terminal edge of a tip portion of the lead finger is sensed by an automated vision system of a wire bonding apparatus. A width (W) and a longitudinal axis of the lead finger are then determined. The bond site is located along the longitudinal axis a predetermined distance of (W/2) from the terminal edge of the lead finger. The improved method allows greater accuracy in the placement of bond sites and precisely controls the length of the bond wire used during the wire bonding process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wire bonding bond pads formed on semiconductor dice to the lead fingers of a semiconductor leadframe are provided. Using an automated wire bonding apparatus two (or more) adjacent dice attached to the leadframe are wire bonded using a single indexing step for the leadframe. The wire bonding apparatus includes a heat block for heating the two adjacent dice, and a clamp for clamping the two adjacent dice to the heat block for wire bonding. A bonding tool of the wire bonding apparatus is moved to successively wire bond the two adjacent dice. The method of the invention is suitable for DIP, ZIP, SOJ, TSOP, PLCC, SOIC, PQFP, or IDF semiconductor packages.

Abstract: A multichip module includes: a) a multichip module substrate; b) a first chip, the first chip having opposed base and bonding faces, the base face being adhered to the multichip module substrate, the first chip bonding face including a central area and a plurality of bonding pads peripheral to the central area; c) a second chip, the second chip having opposed base and bonding faces, the second chip bonding face including a central area and a plurality of peripheral bonding pads; d) a first/second adhesive layer interposed between and connecting the first chip bonding face and the second chip base face, the first/second adhesive layer having a thickness and a perimeter, the perimeter being positioned within the central area inside of the peripheral bonding pads; e) a plurality of first loop bonding wires bonded to and between the respective first chip bonding pads and the multichip module substrate, the respective first bonding wires having outwardly projecting loops of a defined loop height, the thickness of

Abstract: The invention described is directed to a packaged semiconductor chip. As detailed, the invention reduces the number of steps required to attach a die to a leadframe. The invention uses a carrier material layered on one or two sides with thermoplastic which can be softened to a desired state by the application of heat. By heating the thermoplastic and contacting the die and leadframe, the thermoplastic will bond the die and leadframe to the carrier material, thereby securing the die to the leadframe.

Abstract: The invention described is directed to a packaged semiconductor chip. As detailed, the invention requires a reduced number of steps to attach a die to a lead frame. The invention uses a carrier material layered on one or two sides with thermoplastic which can be softened to a desired state by the application of heat. By heating the thermoplastic and contacting the die and lead frame, the thermoplastic will bond the die and lead frame to the carrier material, thereby securing the die to the lead frame.