Abstract: Described herein are radio-frequency (RF) modules that include shielding for improved RF performance. The RF modules including a packaging substrate with a receiving system implemented thereon. The RF module includes a shield implemented to provide RF shielding for at least a portion of the receiving system. The receiving system can include any combination of pre-amplifier or post-amplifier bandpass filters, amplifiers, switching networks, impedance matching components, phase-shifting components, input multiplexers, and output multiplexers. The shielding can include a conductive layer within a conformal shielding on an upper side and side walls of the RF module. The shielding can be an overmold formed over the packaging substrate. The conductive layer can be connected to one or more ground planes. The packaging substrate can include contact features on an underside of the substrate for mounting an underside component.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods related to a conductive paint layer configured to provide radio-frequency (RF) shielding for a packaged semiconductor module. Such a module can include a packaging substrate, one or more RF components mounted on the packaging substrate, a ground plane disposed within the packaging substrate, and a plurality of RF-shielding wirebonds disposed on the packaging substrate and electrically connected to the ground plane. The module can further include an overmold structure formed over the packaging substrate and dimensioned to substantially encapsulate the RF component(s) and the RF-shielding wirebonds. The overmold structure can define an upper surface that exposes upper portions of the RF-shielding wirebonds. The module can further include a conductive paint layer having silver flakes disposed on the upper surface of the overmold structure so that the conductive paint layer, the RF-shielding wirebonds, and the ground plane form an RF-shield for the RF component(s).

Abstract: Shielded radio-frequency (RF) module having reduced area. In some embodiments, an RF module can include a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, and a plurality of shielding wirebonds implemented on the packaging substrate and configured to provide RF shielding functionality for one or more regions on the packaging substrate. The packaging substrate can include a first area associated with implementation of each shielding wirebond. The RF module can further include one or more devices mounted on the packaging substrate. The packaging substrate can further include a second area associated with mounting of each of the one or more devices. Each device can be mounted with respect to a corresponding shielding wirebond such that the second area associated with the device overlaps at least partially with the first area associated with the corresponding shielding wirebond.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclose maintaining paint thickness uniformity over the surface of a cap encapsulating at least one integrated circuit (IC) module on a panel of IC modules. The layer of conductive paint electrically couples with wirebonds on the panel to form at least part of an electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI) shield that attenuates EMI or RFI during operation of the IC module. Optimizing the spray nozzle diameter, fluid pressure, coaxial air pressure, spray heights, speeds, and spray pattern achieves paint thickness control. A uniform coating of conductive paint provides a more effective EMI or RFI shield during the operation of the IC modules.

Abstract: Sputtering systems and methods for packaging applications. In some embodiments, a method for processing a plurality of packaged devices can include forming or providing a first assembly having a stencil and a two-sided adhesive member attached to a first side of the stencil, with the stencil having a plurality of openings, and the two-sided adhesive member having a plurality of openings corresponding to the openings of the stencil. The method can further include attaching the first assembly to a ring to provide a second assembly, with the ring being dimensioned to facilitate a deposition process. The method can further include loading a plurality of packaged devices onto the second assembly such that each packaged device is held by the two-sided adhesive member of the first assembly and a portion of each packaged device extends into the corresponding opening of the two-sided adhesive member.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to determining a layout of a racetrack that forms part of an RF isolation structure of a packaged module and the resulting RF isolation structures. The racetrack layout can be determined based on identifying low radiating areas of a module and/or areas of a module that are less sensitive to external radiation. The racetrack can be disposed below a surface of a module on which a radio frequency component is disposed. The racetrack and a conductive layer over the radio frequency component can form part of a radio frequency isolation structure around the RF component.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods related to a conductive paint layer configured to provide radio-frequency (RF) shielding for a packaged semiconductor module. Such a module can include a packaging substrate, one or more RF components mounted on the packaging substrate, a ground plane disposed within the packaging substrate, and a plurality of RF-shielding wirebonds disposed on the packaging substrate and electrically connected to the ground plane. The module can further include an overmold structure formed over the packaging substrate and dimensioned to substantially encapsulate the RF component(s) and the RF-shielding wirebonds. The overmold structure can define an upper surface that exposes upper portions of the RF-shielding wirebonds. The module can further include a conductive paint layer having silver flakes disposed on the upper surface of the overmold structure so that the conductive paint layer, the RF-shielding wirebonds, and the ground plane form an RF-shield for the RF component(s).

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) module comprises RF-shielding structure for providing three-dimensional electromagnetic interference shielding with respect to one or more RF devices disposed on the module. The RF-shielding may comprise wirebond structures disposed adjacent to or surrounding an RF device. Two or more intramodule devices may have wirebond structures configured to at least partially block certain types of RF signals disposed between the devices, thereby reducing effects of cross-talk between the devices.

Abstract: Devices and methods related to fabrication of shielded modules. In some embodiments, a carrier assembly can be provided for processing of packaged modules. The carrier assembly can include a plate having a first side that defines a plurality of openings, and an adhesive layer implemented on the first side of the plate. The adhesive layer can define a plurality of openings arranged to substantially match the openings of the plate, with each opening of the adhesive layer being dimensioned such that the adhesive layer is capable of providing an adhesive engagement between an underside perimeter portion of a package and a perimeter portion about the corresponding opening of the first side of the plate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for processing singulated radio-frequency (RF) units. In some embodiments, a device for processing singulated RF packages can include a plate having a plurality of apertures. Each aperture can be dimensioned to receive and position a singulated RF package to thereby facilitate processing of the singulated RF packages positioned in their respective apertures. In some embodiments, such a device can be utilized to batch process high volume of RF packages as if the RF packages are still in a panel format.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to conformal coating implemented with surface mount devices. In some embodiments, a radio-frequency (RF) module includes a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components. The RF also includes a surface mound device (SMD) mounted on the packaging substrate, the SMD including a metal layer that faces upward when mounted. The RF module further includes an overmold formed over the packaging substrate, the overmold dimensioned to cover the SMD. The RF module further includes an opening defined by the overmold at a region over the SMD, the opening having a depth sufficient to expose at least a portion of the metal layer. The RF module further includes a conformal conductive layer formed over the overmold, the conformal conductive layer configured to fill at least a portion of the opening to provide an electrical path between the conformal conductive layer and the metal layer of the SMD.

Abstract: During fabrication of shielded radio-frequency modules where costly metallic paint is sprayed to form a conductive layer, it is desirable to reduce the amount of paint being utilized, and to reduce the likelihood of accumulation of metal particles along various paths. A closed recirculation system can be provided to yield such desirable features, and can include a reservoir for holding a volume of metallic paint, a spray apparatus for spraying metallic paint received from the reservoir, and a recirculator for recirculating the metallic paint that is not sprayed back to the reservoir. In some embodiments, the spray apparatus can be implemented so as to have reduced dimensions, and include a mechanism for switching between a spray mode and a recirculate mode. Such a spray apparatus can reduce the amount of paint being utilized, and also reduce accumulation of metal particles in the spray apparatus.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a radio-frequency (RF) module is disclosed, the method including forming or providing a first assembly that includes a packaging substrate and an RF component mounted thereon, the first assembly further including one or more shielding-wirebonds formed relative to the RF component, and forming an overmold over the packaging substrate to substantially encapsulate the RF component and the one or more shielding-wirebonds, the overmold formed by compression molding that includes reducing a volume of melted resin in a direction having a component perpendicular to a plane defined by the packaging substrate.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) module comprises a conductive top layer configured to improve RF interference-shielding functionality with respect to one or more RF devices disposed on the module. The conductive top layer may be segmented as to form one or more segments of the top layer that are at least partially electrically isolated from surrounding segments or devices. A module may have a plurality of devices disposed thereon, wherein separate, at least partially isolated, top conductive layers correspond to different devices of the module. The top layer may be etched or cut to achieve such segmentation.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods related to conformal coating of radio-frequency (RF) modules. In some embodiments, a module can include an overmold formed over an RF component mounted on a packaging substrate. The overmold can also cover a surface-mount device (SMD) such as an RF filter implemented as a chip size surface acoustic wave (SAW) device (CSSD). The module can further include a conductive layer formed over the overmold and configured to provide RF shielding functionality for the module. The conductive layer can be electrically connected to a ground plane of the packaging substrate through the SMD. An opening can be formed in the overmold over the SMD; and the conductive layer can conform to the opening to electrically connect the conductive layer with an upper surface of the SMD and thereby facilitate the grounding connection.

Abstract: In applications such as manufacture of shielded radio-frequency modules where costly metallic paint is sprayed to form a conductive layer, it is desirable to reduce the amount of paint being utilized, and to maintain an acceptable level of suspension of paint particles in solution. A closed recirculation system can be configured to provide such desirable features, and can include a reservoir for holding a volume of metallic paint, a spray apparatus for spraying metallic paint received from the reservoir, and a recirculator for recirculating the metallic paint that is not sprayed back to the reservoir. In some embodiments, the recirculator can include a compact peristaltic pump that allows use of shorter fluid paths in the closed recirculation system, as well as a desired level of agitation to quickly achieve the acceptable level of suspension and maintain the suspension for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods related to a conductive paint layer configured to provide radio-frequency (RF) shielding for a packaged semiconductor module. Such a module can include a packaging substrate, one or more RF components mounted on the packaging substrate, a ground plane disposed within the packaging substrate, and a plurality of RF-shielding wirebonds disposed on the packaging substrate and electrically connected to the ground plane. The module can further include an overmold structure formed over the packaging substrate and dimensioned to substantially encapsulate the RF component(s) and the RF-shielding wirebonds. The overmold structure can define an upper surface that exposes upper portions of the RF-shielding wirebonds. The module can further include a conductive paint layer having silver flakes disposed on the upper surface of the overmold structure so that the conductive paint layer, the RF-shielding wirebonds, and the ground plane form an RF-shield for the RF component(s).

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to determining a layout of a racetrack that forms part of an RF isolation structure of a packaged module and the resulting RF isolation structures. The racetrack layout can be determined based on identifying low radiating areas of a module and/or areas of a module that are less sensitive to external radiation. The racetrack can be disposed below a surface of a module on which a radio frequency component is disposed. The racetrack and a conductive layer over the radio frequency component can form part of a radio frequency isolation structure around the RF component.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a racetrack that forms part of an RF isolation structure of a packaged module and wireless devices that include such a packaged module. The racetrack can be disposed in a substrate and around an RF component that is on the substrate. The racetrack can include at least one break and/or at least one narrowed section without significantly degrading the EMI performance of the RF isolation structure.

Abstract: Dual-sided radio-frequency package having ball grid array. In some embodiments, a packaged radio-frequency (RF) device may include a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, the packaging substrate including a first side and a second side. The packaged RF device also includes a shielded package implemented on the first side of the packaging substrate, the shielded package including an RF circuit, the shielded package configured to provide RF shielding for at least a portion of the RF circuit. The packaged RF device further includes a ball-grid array (BGA) implemented on the second side of the packaging substrate, the BGA defining a mounting volume on the second side of the packaging substrate and a component implemented within the mounting volume.