Abstract: A small area semiconductor device package containing two or more MEMS sensor device die and a controller die for the sensor devices is provided. The controller die is mounted on top of the largest MEMS sensor device die (e.g., a gyroscope) and over a second MEMS sensor device die (e.g., an accelerometer). In one embodiment, the controller die is also mounted on the top of the second MEMS sensor device die. In another embodiment, the controller die overhangs the second MEMS sensor device die, which is of a lesser thickness than the first MEMS sensor device die.

Abstract: A method (80) entails providing (82) a structure (117), providing (100) a controller element (102, 24), and bonding (116) the controller element to an outer surface (52, 64) of the structure. The structure includes a sensor wafer (92) and a cap wafer (94) Inner surfaces (34, 36) of the wafers (92, 94) are coupled together, with sensors (30) interposed between the wafers. One wafer (94, 92) includes a substrate portion (40, 76) with bond pads (42) formed on its inner surface (34, 36). The other wafer (94, 92) conceals the substrate portion (40, 76). After bonding, methodology (80) entails forming (120) conductive elements (60) on the element (102, 24), removing (126) material sections (96, 98, 107) from the wafers to expose the bond pads, forming (130) electrical interconnects (56), applying (134) packaging material (64), and singulating (138) to produce sensor packages (20, 70).

Abstract: Microelectronic packages and methods for producing microelectronic packages are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes bonding a first Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) die having a first MEMS transducer structure thereon to a cap piece. The first MEMS die and cap piece are bonded such that a first hermetically-sealed cavity is formed enclosing the first MEMS transducer. A second MEMS die having a second MEMS transducer structure thereon is further bonded to one of the cap piece and the second MEMS die. The second MEMS die and the cap piece are bonded such that a second hermetically-sealed cavity is formed enclosing the second MEMS transducer. The second hermetically-sealed cavity contains a different internal pressure than does the first hermetically-sealed cavity.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating multi-sensor microelectronic packages and multi-sensor microelectronic packages are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a magnetometer wafer comprised of an array of non-singulated magnetometer die over an accelerometer wafer comprised of an array of non-singulated accelerometer die. The magnetometer wafer is bonded to the accelerometer wafer to produce a bonded wafer stack. The bonded wafer stack is then singulated to yield a plurality of multi-sensor microelectronic packages each including a singulated magnetometer die bonded to a singulated accelerometer die.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating multi-sensor microelectronic packages and multi-sensor microelectronic packages are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a magnetometer wafer comprised of an array of non-singulated magnetometer die over an accelerometer wafer comprised of an array of non-singulated accelerometer die. The magnetometer wafer is bonded to the accelerometer wafer to produce a bonded wafer stack. The bonded wafer stack is then singulated to yield a plurality of multi-sensor microelectronic packages each including a singulated magnetometer die bonded to a singulated accelerometer die.

Abstract: A structure to improve saw singulation quality and wettability of integrated circuit packages (140) is assembled with lead frames (112) having half-etched recesses (134) in leads. In one embodiment, the structure is a lead frame strip (110) having a plurality of lead frames. Each of the lead frames includes a depression (130) that is at least partially filled with a material (400) prior to singulating the lead frame strip. In another embodiment, the structure is a semiconductor device package (140) that includes a semiconductor device encapsulated in a package body (142) having a plurality of leads (120). Each lead has an exposed portion external to the package. There is recess (134) at a corner of each lead. Each recess has a generally concave configuration. Each recess is filled with a removable material (300).

Abstract: A MEMS wafer (46) includes a front side (52) having a plurality of MEMS structure sites (60) at which MEMS structures (50) are located. A method (40) for protecting the MEMS structures (50) includes applying (44) a non-active feature (66) on the front side of the MEMS wafer in a region that is devoid of the MEMS structures and mounting (76) the front side of the MEMS wafer in a dicing frame (86) such that a back side (74) of the MEMS wafer is exposed. The MEMS wafer is then diced (102) from the back side into a plurality of MEMS dies (48).

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of fabricating a sensor device includes attaching a first wafer to a sensor wafer with a first bond material, and attaching a second wafer to the sensor wafer with a second bond material, the second bond material having a lower bonding temperature than the first bond material. After attaching the second wafer, an opening (e.g., a trench cut) through the second wafer is formed, and an adhesive material is provided through the opening to further secure the second wafer to the sensor wafer. Embodiments of sensor devices formed using such methods include a first device cavity having a first pressure, and a second device cavity having a second pressure.

Abstract: An integrated package is disclosed that includes a conductive structure that can be selectively configured to include a radiating element of a planar antenna or to include a radio-frequency shielding structure. Examples of a planar antenna include PIFA antennas, patch antennas, and the like. The planar antenna can be selectively configured to different tuning profiles, and operate as a diversity antenna by alternating its tuning profile configuration amongst different tuning profiles.

Abstract: A structure and method to improve saw singulation quality and wettability of integrated circuit packages (140) assembled with lead frames (112) having half-etched recesses (134) in leads. A method of manufacturing lead frames includes providing a lead frame strip (110) having a plurality of lead frames. Each of the lead frames includes a depression (130) that is at least partially filled with a material (400) prior to singulating the lead frame strip.

Abstract: A method (70) of forming sensor packages (20) entails providing a sensor wafer (74) having sensors (30) formed on a side (26) positioned within areas (34) delineated by bonding perimeters (36), and providing a controller wafer (82) having control circuitry (42) at one side (38) and bonding perimeters (46) on an opposing side (40). The bonding perimeters (46) of the controller wafer (82) are bonded to corresponding bonding perimeters (36) of the sensor wafer (74) to form a stacked wafer structure (48) in which the control circuitry (42) faces outwardly. The controller wafer (82) is sawn to reveal bond pads (32) on the sensor wafer (74) which are wire bonded to corresponding bond pads (44) formed on the same side (38) of the wafer (82) as the control circuitry (42). The structure (48) is encapsulated in packaging material (62) and is singulated to produce the sensor packages (20).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a sensor device includes forming a plurality of sensor structures on a wafer, covering the plurality of sensor structures with a polymer layer, and dicing the wafer into a plurality of die while each sensor structure remains covered by the polymer layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual port pressure sensor includes forming a first opening and a second opening in a flag of a lead frame. An encapsulant is molded to hold the lead frame in which the encapsulant is over a top of the flag and a bottom of the flag is uncovered by the encapsulant. A first opening in the encapsulant is aligned with and larger than the first opening in the flag and a second opening in the encapsulant aligned with the second opening in the flag. A pressure sensor transducer is attached to the bottom of the flag to cover the first opening in the flag, wherein the pressure sensor transducer provides an electrically detectable correlation to a pressure differential based on a first pressure received on its top side and a second pressure received on its bottom side. An integrated circuit is attached to the bottom of the flag. The integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the pressure sensor. A lid is attached to the encapsulant to form an enclosure around the bottom of the flag.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of fabricating a sensor device include attaching first and second die to one another to define first and second cavities in which first and second sensors of the sensor device are disposed, respectively. The second die has an opening in communication with the second cavity. The methods further include obstructing the opening, attaching a third die to the second die. The first cavity is hermetically sealed by attaching the first and second die. The second cavity is hermetically sealed by attaching the third die to the second die.

Abstract: Sensor device packages and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary sensor device package includes a first structure having a sensing arrangement thereon, a second structure having circuitry thereon, and a conductive structure within the first structure and coupled to the circuitry to provide an electrical connection to the circuitry through the first structure. Thus, circuitry on the second structure may be electrically connected to an interface of the sensor device package through the first structure.

Abstract: A method (30) of forming a semiconductor package (20) entails applying (56) an adhesive (64) to a portion (66) of a bonding perimeter (50) of a base (22), with a section (68) of the perimeter (50) being without the adhesive (64). A lid (24) is placed on the base (22) so that a bonding perimeter (62) of the lid (24) abuts the bonding perimeter (50) of the base (22). The lid (24) includes a cavity (25) in which dies (38) mounted to the base (22) are located. A gap (70) is formed without the adhesive (64) at the section (68) between the base (22) and the lid (24). The structure vents from the gap (70) as air inside the cavity (25) expands during heat curing (72). Following heat curing (72), another adhesive (80) is dispensed in the section (68) to close the gap (70) and seal the cavity (25).

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of fabricating a sensor device includes attaching a first wafer to a sensor wafer with a first bond material, and attaching a second wafer to the sensor wafer with a second bond material, the second bond material having a lower bonding temperature than the first bond material. After attaching the second wafer, an opening (e.g., a trench cut) through the second wafer is formed, and an adhesive material is provided through the opening to further secure the second wafer to the sensor wafer. Embodiments of sensor devices formed using such methods include a first device cavity having a first pressure, and a second device cavity having a second pressure.

Abstract: A method (70) of forming sensor packages (20) entails providing a sensor wafer (74) having sensors (30) formed on a side (26) positioned within areas (34) delineated by bonding perimeters (36), and providing a controller wafer (82) having control circuitry (42) at one side (38) and bonding perimeters (46) on an opposing side (40). The bonding perimeters (46) of the controller wafer (82) are bonded to corresponding bonding perimeters (36) of the sensor wafer (74) to form a stacked wafer structure (48) in which the control circuitry (42) faces outwardly. The controller wafer (82) is sawn to reveal bond pads (32) on the sensor wafer (74) which are wire bonded to corresponding bond pads (44) formed on the same side (38) of the wafer (82) as the control circuitry (42). The structure (48) is encapsulated in packaging material (62) and is singulated to produce the sensor packages (20).

Abstract: A method (30) of forming a semiconductor package (20) entails applying (56) an adhesive (64) to a portion (66) of a bonding perimeter (50) of a base (22), with a section (68) of the perimeter (50) being without the adhesive (64). A lid (24) is placed on the base (22) so that a bonding perimeter (62) of the lid (24) abuts the bonding perimeter (50) of the base (22). The lid (24) includes a cavity (25) in which dies (38) mounted to the base (22) are located. A gap (70) is formed without the adhesive (64) at the section (68) between the base (22) and the lid (24). The structure vents from the gap (70) as air inside the cavity (25) expands during heat curing (72). Following heat curing (72), another adhesive (80) is dispensed in the section (68) to close the gap (70) and seal the cavity (25).

Abstract: A structure and method to improve saw singulation quality and wettability of integrated circuit packages (140) assembled with lead frames (112) having half-etched recesses (134) in leads. A method of manufacturing lead frames includes providing a lead frame strip (110) having a plurality of lead frames. Each of the lead frames includes a depression (130) that is at least partially filled with a material (400) prior to singulating the lead frame strip.