Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improved thermal performance and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in integrated circuit (IC) packages is described. A die-up or die-down package includes first and second caps defining a cavity, an IC die, and a leadframe. The leadframe includes a centrally located die attach pad, a plurality of leads, and a plurality of tie bars that couple the die attach pad to the leads. The IC die is mounted to the die attach pad. Planar rim portions of the first and second caps that surround the cavity are coupled to the leadframe. The first and second caps and the leadframe form an enclosure structure that substantially encloses the IC die, and shields EMI emanating from and radiating towards the IC die. The enclosure structure also dissipates heat generated by the IC die during operation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device package is presented. A frame body has opposing first and second surfaces and a central opening that is open at the first and second surfaces. The second frame body surface is mounted to a first stiffener surface. An IC die is mounted to the first stiffener surface within the central opening through the frame body. A planar lid has opposing first and second surfaces. The second lid surface is coupled to the first frame body surface. A first substrate surface is coupled to a second stiffener surface. An array of electrically conductive terminals is coupled to a second substrate surface. The stiffener, frame body, and lid form an enclosure structure substantially enclosing the IC die. The die enclosure spreads heat from the IC die, and shields EMI emanating from and radiating toward the IC die. At least one tab protrudes from the second surface of the frame body. At least one receptacle formed in the first surface of the stiffener corresponding to the at least one tab.

Abstract: A cavity or die down ball grid array package includes an interposer substrate structure attached to the die. In an example, the interposer substrate reduces the interconnect length from a board to which the package mounts to power and ground pads on a top layer of the semiconductor or integrated circuit (IC) die. In this example, the interposer substrate also removes the requirement that power and ground pads be located on a periphery of the die. Power and ground pads can be located in an interior region on a top metal layer where they can be interconnected to the interposer substrate using electrically conductive bumps or wire bond(s).

Abstract: A method of assembling an IC device package is provided. A leadframe is formed. At least one IC die is attached to a die attach pad portion of the leadframe. Wire bonds are coupled between the IC die and the leadframe. A cap is attached to the leadframe. A second surface of the cap includes a cavity formed therein. The cap and leadframe form an enclosure structure that substantially encloses the at least one IC die. An encapsulating material is applied to encapsulate at least the IC die. A perimeter support ring portion of the leadframe is trimmed.

Abstract: A flip chip package generally includes a substrate, a flip chip die, and a heat spreader. The flip chip die is coupled to the substrate. The heat spreader is coupled to the flip chip die. The heat spreader can include one or more walls. Generally, the one or more walls at least partially laterally surround the flip chip die and/or the substrate. The walls can completely laterally surround the flip chip die to define a cavity in the heat spreader. The flip chip package can further include an encapsulate. For example, the encapsulate can be injected between the one or more walls of the heat spreader and the flip chip die and/or other components of the flip chip package. The encapsulate and/or the one or more walls of the heat spreader can protect one or more components of the flip chip package against moisture, corrosives, heat, or radiation, to provide some examples.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for improved integrated circuit packages are described. An integrated circuit (IC) package includes a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces, an IC die, a plurality of conductive elements, and an encapsulating material. The substrate has a plurality of contact pads on the first surface that are electrically coupled to a plurality of electrically conductive features on the second surface. The plurality of conductive elements is formed on the first surface of the substrate. The IC die is located on the first surface of the substrate. The encapsulating material encapsulates the IC die and a portion of each element of the plurality of conductive elements.

Abstract: Electrically and thermally enhanced die-up ball grid array (BGA) packages are described. A BGA package includes a stiffener, substrate, a silicon die, and solder balls. The die is mounted to the top of the stiffener. The stiffener is mounted to the top of the substrate. A plurality of solder balls are attached to the bottom surface of the substrate. A top surface of the stiffener may be patterned. A second stiffener may be attached to the first stiffener. The substrate may include one, two, four, or other number of metal layers. Conductive vias through a dielectric layer of the substrate may couple the stiffener to solder balls. An opening may be formed through the substrate, exposing a portion of the stiffener. The stiffener may have a down-set portion. A heat slug may be attached to the exposed portion of the stiffener. A locking mechanism may be used to enhance attachment of the heat slug to the stiffener. The heat slug may be directly attached to the die through an opening in the stiffener.

Abstract: A method of assembling an IC device package is provided. A leadframe is formed. At least one IC die is attached to a die attach pad portion of the leadframe. Wire bonds are coupled between the IC die and the leadframe. A cap is attached to the leadframe. A second surface of the cap includes a cavity formed therein. The cap and leadframe form an enclosure structure that substantially encloses the at least one IC die. An encapsulating material is applied to encapsulate at least the IC die. A perimeter support ring portion of the leadframe is trimmed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces, a flip chip integrated circuit die, and a heat sink. A first surface of die is mounted to the first surface of the substrate by a plurality of electrically conductive solder bumps. The heat sink has a first surface that includes a recessed region extending along a length of the heat sink in the first surface and that includes first and second supporting portions separated by the recessed region. The first and second supporting portions are attached to the first surface of the substrate such that the die is positioned in the recessed region. A second surface of the die is attached to a surface of the recessed region.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for integrated circuit packages and lead frames are provided. A quad flat no-lead (QFN) package includes a plurality of peripherally positioned pins, a die-attach paddle, an integrated circuit die, and an encapsulating material. The die-attach paddle is positioned within a periphery formed by the pins. The die is attached to the die-attach paddle. The encapsulating material encapsulates the die on the die-attach paddle, encapsulates bond wires connected between the die and the pins, and fills a space between the pins and the die-attach paddle. One or more of the pins are extended. An extended pin may be elongated, L shaped, T shaped, or “wishbone” shaped. The extended pin(s) enable wire bonding of additional ground, power, and I/O (input/output) pads of the die in a manner that does not significantly increase QFN package cost.

Abstract: Electrically and thermally enhanced die-up ball grid array (BGA) packages are described. A BGA package includes a stiffener, substrate, a silicon die, and solder balls. The die is mounted to the top of the stiffener. The stiffener is mounted to the top of the substrate. A plurality of solder balls are attached to the bottom surface of the substrate. A top surface of the stiffener may be patterned. A second stiffener may be attached to the first stiffener. The substrate may include one, two, four, or other number of metal layers. Conductive vias through a dielectric layer of the substrate may couple the stiffener to solder balls. An opening may be formed through the substrate, exposing a portion of the stiffener. The stiffener may have a down-set portion. A heat slug may be attached to the exposed portion of the stiffener. A locking mechanism may be used to enhance attachment of the heat slug to the stiffener. The heat slug may be directly attached to the die through an opening in the stiffener.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for integrated circuit packages and lead frames are provided. A quad flat no-lead (QFN) package includes a plurality of peripherally positioned pins, a die-attach paddle, an integrated circuit die, and an encapsulating material. The die-attach paddle is positioned within a periphery formed by the pins. The die is attached to the die-attach paddle. The encapsulating material encapsulates the die on the die-attach paddle, encapsulates bond wires connected between the die and the pins, and fills a space between the pins and the die-attach paddle. One or more of the pins are extended. An extended pin may be elongated, L shaped, T shaped, or “wishbone” shaped. The extended pin(s) enable wire bonding of additional ground, power, and I/O (input/output) pads of the die in a manner that does not significantly increase QFN package cost.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improved thermal performance and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in integrated circuit (IC) packages is described. A die-up or die-down package includes a heat spreader cap defining a cavity, an IC die, and a leadframe. The leadframe includes a centrally located die attach pad, a plurality of leads, and a plurality of tie bars that couple the die attach pad to the leads. The IC die is mounted to the die attach pad. A planar rim portion of the cap that surrounds the cavity is coupled to the leadframe. The cap and the leadframe form an enclosure structure that substantially encloses the IC die, and shields EMI emanating from and radiating towards the IC die. The enclosure structure also dissipates heat generated by the IC die during operation.

Abstract: An electrically and thermally enhanced die-up tape substrate ball grid array (BGA) package and die-up plastic substrate BGA package are described. A substrate that has a first surface and a second surface is provided. The stiffener has a first surface and a second surface. The second stiffener surface is attached to the first substrate surface. An IC die has a first surface and a second surface. The first IC die surface is mounted to the first stiffener surface. A plurality of solder balls is attached to the second substrate surface. In one aspect, a heat spreader is mounted to the second IC die surface. In another aspect, the stiffener is coupled to ground to act as a ground plane. In another aspect, the substrate has a window opening that exposes a portion of the second stiffener surface. The exposed portion of the second stiffener surface is configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB). In another aspect, a metal ring is attached to the first stiffener surface.

Abstract: Methods of assembling a ball grid array (BGA) package is provided. One method includes providing a tape substrate that has a first surface and a second surface, attaching a first surface of a stiffener to the first substrate surface, mounting an IC die to the second stiffener surface, mounting a heat spreader to the IC die, and attaching a plurality of solder balls to the second substrate surface.

Abstract: In a ball grid array (BGA) package, a first stiffener is attached to a surface of a substrate. A second stiffener is attached to the surface of the substrate to be co-planar with the first stiffener. The second stiffener is separated from the first stiffener by a channel therebetween. An integrated circuit (IC) die is mounted to a surface of the second stiffener.

Abstract: Ball grid array (BGA) packages are provided. A BGA package includes a substrate that has a surface and a stiffener that has a surface and a protruding portion. The surface of the substrate has an opening therein. The protruding portion is located on the surface of the stiffener. The surface of the stiffener is coupled to the surface of the substrate. The protruding portion extends through the opening. An area of the surface of the stiffener is less than an area of the surface of the substrate. A surface of the protruding portion is capable of attachment to a printed circuit board (PCB) when the BGA package is mounted to the PCB.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing damage to a unit with preventive structures are presented. In an embodiment, a unit of a collection of units includes a functional area and a preventive structure configured to prevent cracks from propagating into the functional area.

Abstract: A die-up array integrated circuit (IC) device package and method of making the same is presented. A frame body has opposing first and second surfaces and a central opening that is open at the first and second surfaces. The second frame body surface is mounted to a first stiffener surface. An IC die is mounted to the first stiffener surface within the central opening through the frame body. A planar lid has opposing first and second surfaces. The second lid surface is coupled to the first frame body surface. A first substrate surface is coupled to a second stiffener surface. An array of electrically conductive terminals is coupled to a second substrate surface. The stiffener, frame body, and lid form an enclosure structure substantially enclosing the IC die. The die enclosure spreads heat from the IC die, and shields EMI emanating from and radiating toward the IC die.

Abstract: Electrically, mechanically, and thermally enhanced ball grid array (BGA) packages are described. A substrate has a surface, wherein the surface has an opening therein. A stiffener has a surface coupled to the surface of the substrate. An area of the surface of the stiffener can be greater than, equal to, or less than an area of the surface of the substrate. A thermal connector is coupled to the surface of the stiffener through the opening. A surface of the thermal connector is capable of attachment to a printed circuit board (PCB) when the BGA package is mounted to the PCB. The thermal connector can have a height such that the thermal connector extends into a cavity formed in a surface of the PCB when the BGA package is mounted to the PCB. Alternatively, the stiffener and thermal connector may be combined into a single piece stiffener, wherein the stiffener has a protruding portion.