U.S. patent application number 09/531671 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-08 for wafer level packaging.
Invention is credited to Schroen, Walter H.
Application Number | 20010039078 09/531671 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25507676 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010039078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schroen, Walter H |
November 8, 2001 |
Wafer level packaging
Abstract
An integrated circuit package (50) may include an integrated
circuit chip (22) having an integrated circuit (14). A lead frame
(28) may be opposite the integrated circuit chip (22). The lead
frame (28) may include at least one lead (30) electrically coupled
to the integrated circuit (14) by a connector (42). The lead (30)
may be within a periphery (32) of the integrated circuit chip (22).
An encapsulant (44) may cover the integrated circuit (14), the
connector (42) and a portion of the lead frame (28). A remaining
portion of the lead frame (28) may be exposed from the encapsulant
(44).
Inventors: |
Schroen, Walter H; (Dallas,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
P O BOX 655474, M/S 3999
DALLAS
TX
75265
|
Family ID: |
25507676 |
Appl. No.: |
09/531671 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09531671 |
Mar 20, 2000 |
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08963769 |
Nov 4, 1997 |
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60031464 |
Nov 21, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
438/123 ;
257/666; 257/E23.039; 257/E23.124; 438/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2224/73215
20130101; H01L 2224/45015 20130101; H01L 2224/48091 20130101; H01L
2224/48247 20130101; H01L 2224/97 20130101; H01L 2924/181 20130101;
H01L 23/3107 20130101; H01L 24/97 20130101; Y10T 29/4913 20150115;
H01L 24/49 20130101; H01L 2224/45144 20130101; H01L 2924/01078
20130101; H01L 2224/94 20130101; H01L 2224/97 20130101; H01L
2224/32014 20130101; Y10T 29/49117 20150115; H01L 24/45 20130101;
H01L 2224/94 20130101; H01L 2924/20753 20130101; H01L 2224/49109
20130101; H01L 2224/48091 20130101; H01L 2924/014 20130101; H01L
2924/01047 20130101; H01L 2924/181 20130101; H01L 2224/97 20130101;
Y10T 29/49126 20150115; H01L 2224/48091 20130101; H01L 2224/97
20130101; H01L 2924/01079 20130101; H01L 2924/14 20130101; H01L
2224/45144 20130101; Y10T 29/49128 20150115; H01L 2224/49109
20130101; H01L 2924/20752 20130101; Y10T 29/49131 20150115; H01L
2924/01006 20130101; H01L 24/48 20130101; Y10T 29/49133 20150115;
H01L 2224/45015 20130101; H01L 24/94 20130101; H01L 23/3114
20130101; Y10T 29/49155 20150115; H01L 2924/01005 20130101; H01L
2224/45015 20130101; Y10T 29/49135 20150115; Y10T 29/4914 20150115;
Y10T 29/49121 20150115; Y10T 29/49137 20150115; Y10T 29/49139
20150115; Y10T 29/49146 20150115; H01L 23/4951 20130101; H01L
2924/20753 20130101; H01L 2224/85 20130101; H01L 2224/73215
20130101; H01L 2224/83 20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101; H01L
2224/48247 20130101; H01L 2924/00014 20130101; H01L 2924/00014
20130101; H01L 2924/20752 20130101; H01L 2924/00014 20130101; H01L
2224/85 20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
438/123 ;
438/124; 257/666 |
International
Class: |
H01L 021/44 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An integrated circuit package, comprising: an integrated circuit
chip including an integrated circuit; a lead frame opposite the
integrated circuit chip; the lead frame including at least one lead
electrically coupled to the integrated circuit by a connector; the
lead within a periphery of the integrated circuit; an encapsulant
covering the integrated circuit, the connector, and a portion of
the lead frame; and a remaining portion of the lead frame exposed
from the encapsulant.
2. The integrated circuit package of claim 1, further comprising:
the lead frame including a plurality of leads; each lead
electrically coupled to the integrated circuit by a connector; and
each of the leads within the periphery of the integrated circuit
chip.
3. The integrated circuit package of claim 1, wherein a distal end
of the lead is substantially parallel to the integrated circuit
chip.
4. The integrated circuit package of claim 1, wherein the connector
is a wire bonded to the lead and to the integrated circuit.
5. The integrated circuit package of claim 1, further comprising: a
bonding pad electrically coupled to the integrated circuit; the
bonding pad disposed proximate to a centerline of the integrated
circuit; and the connector being a wire bonded to the lead and to
the bonding pad.
6. The integrated circuit package of claim 1, wherein the lead is
plated with palladium.
7. A packaged wafer, comprising: a wafer including a plurality of
integrated circuit chips; each integrated circuit chip including an
integrated circuit; a sheet of lead frames opposite the integrated
circuit chips; each lead frame including a lead electrically
coupled to an opposing integrated circuit by a connector; the lead
within a periphery of an opposing integrated circuit; an
encapsulant covering the integrated circuits, the connectors, and a
portion of each lead frame; and a remaining portion of each lead
frame exposed from the encapsulant.
8. The packaged wafer of claim 7, wherein the sheet of lead frames
is a unitary sheet of material.
9. The packaged wafer of claim 7, the lead frames each further
comprising: a plurality of leads; the leads each electrically
coupled to the opposing integrated circuit by a connector; and the
leads each within the periphery of the opposing integrated circuit
chip.
10. The packaged wafer of claim 7, wherein a distal end of the each
lead is substantially parallel to the opposing integrated circuit
chip.
11. The packaged wafer of claim 7, wherein each connector is a wire
bonded to the lead and to the opposing integrated circuit.
12. The packaged wafer of claim 7, further comprising: a bonding
pad electrically coupled to each of the integrated circuits; the
bonding pad disposed proximate to a centerline of the integrated
circuit; and the connector being a wire bonded to the lead and to
the bonding pad.
13. The packaged wafer of claim 7, wherein the lead is plated with
palladium.
14. A method of packaging integrated circuits, comprising the steps
of: disposing a sheet of lead frames opposite a plurality of
integrated circuit chips each including an integrated circuit, each
lead frame including a lead within a periphery of an opposing
integrated circuit chip; electrically coupling the lead of each
lead frame to the opposing integrated circuit chip; and
encapsulating the integrated circuits and a portion of each lead
frame, each encapsulated integrated circuit and opposing lead frame
forming a discrete integrated circuit package.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sheet of lead frames is a
unitary sheet of material.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of electrically
coupling the lead to an opposing integrated circuit comprises the
step of bonding a wire to the lead and to a bonding pad of the
opposed integrated circuit.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of
detaching the integrated circuit packages from one another.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of mounting
each lead frame to the opposing integrated circuit.
19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of forming
a polymide layer on the integrated circuit chips.
20. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of plating
the lead with palladium.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The processes involved in the fabrication and packaging of
circuit chips are well known. Typically, an array of identical
circuits is patterned onto a circular semiconductor wafer using
well known microlithographic techniques. The wafer is then sawed
into many rectangular pieces to separate the individual circuits
from one another, so that each circuit occupies its own circuit
chip.
[0002] The chips are individually mounted onto lead frames, where
they are held in place by means of an epoxy. A wire bonder is then
used to establish electrical connections between the die pads on
the chip and the respective leads of the lead frame.
[0003] With the chip physically and electrically attached to the
lead frame, the chip and lead frame are placed into a mold
equipment, where plastic is transfer molded to surround the
assembly. This plastic packaging serves to protect the chip
exposure to light, moisture and contamination, which could damage
the circuit components, as well as making the entire assembly
mechanically rigid and durable. The molded plastic is then cured by
means of heating in an oven for several hours.
[0004] The leads of the lead frame are then trimmed and formed into
the desired shape. For example, the leads may be formed into a
"gull wing" shape for surface-mounted chips. At this stage, various
electrical and mechanical tests are performed to determine whether
the chip will function for its intended purpose.
[0005] The circuit chip industry is very cost-competitive. It is
therefore desirable to shorten, streamline or eliminate packaging
steps to shorten production time and reduce production costs for
the chips.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, a need has arisen in the art for an improved
integrated circuit packaging. The present invention provides a
method of packaging integrated circuits at the wafer level.
Additionally, the present invention provides a chip size
package.
[0007] In accordance with the present invention, an integrated
circuit package may include an integrated circuit chip. A lead
frame may be opposite the circuit side of the integrated circuit
chip. The lead frame may include at least one lead electrically
coupled to the integrated circuit by a connector. The lead may be
within a periphery of the integrated circuit chip. An encapsulate
may cover the integrated circuit, the connector and a portion of
the lead frame. A remaining portion of the lead frame may be
exposed from the encapsulant.
[0008] More specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, an integrated circuit may be packaged at the
wafer level. In this embodiment, a sheet of lead frames may be
opposite a plurality of integrated circuit chips. The encapsulate
may cover the integrated circuits and a portion of each lead frame.
Each encapsulated integrated circuit and opposing lead frame may
form a discrete integrated circuit package.
[0009] Important technical advantages of the present invention
include providing chip size packages for integrated circuits. In
particular, a lead frame, connectors and encapsulant do not extend
beyond a periphery of an opposing integrated circuit chip.
Accordingly, package volume is minimized and the chip may be used
in devices requiring extremely small chips.
[0010] Another technical advantage of the present invention
includes providing a method of packaging integrated circuit chips
at the wafer level. In particular, integrated circuit chips may be
packaged concurrently while still part of a wafer. Accordingly, the
packaging process may be carried out as a continuation of the wafer
fabrication process. This serves to streamline and shorten the
assembly and packaging process.
[0011] Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one
skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and its advantages thereof, references now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which:
[0013] FIGS. 1A-E are a series of schematic cross-sectional
diagrams illustrating wafer level packaging of an integrated
circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The preferred embodiments of the present invention and its
advantages are best understood by referring now in more detail to
FIGS. 1A-E of the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like
parts throughout the several views. FIGS. 1A-E illustrate a method
of packaging integrated circuits at the wafer level. Wafer level
packaging may be carried out as a continuation of the wafer
fabrication process to streamline and shorten the packaging
process.
[0015] FIG. 1A shows a patterned wafer 10. The patterned wafer 10
may comprise a substrate 12 and a plurality of integrated circuits
14 formed in a surface 16 of the substrate 12. The substrate 12 may
include one or more layers of semiconductor material. For example,
the substrate 12 may include an epitaxial layer grown on a
wafer.
[0016] The integrated circuits 14 may each include a plurality of
bond pads 18 electrically coupled to the integrated circuit 14. As
described in more detail below, the bond pads 18 provide electrical
contacts through which the integrated circuit 14 may be connected
to external components. In one embodiment, the bond pads 18 may be
disposed along a center line 20 of the integrated circuit 14. In
this embodiment, the number and configuration of the bond pads 18
may vary depending on the application. For example, the integrated
circuit 14 may include one or more staggered or parallel rows of
bond pads 18. It will be understood that the bond pads 18 may be
disposed elsewhere on the integrated circuit 14 within the scope of
the present invention.
[0017] Each integrated circuit 14 and surrounding section of the
substrate 12 may define a discrete integrated circuit chip 22. The
integrated circuit chips 22 may each be packaged to provide
connections to external components and to provide protection from
environmental factors. Typically, patterned wafers are sawed into
individual integrated circuit chips for packaging. The integrated
circuit chips are each separately mounted and coupled to a lead
frame, and then encapsulated with that lead frame. A problem with
this method is that the separate packaging of integrated circuit
chips is both time consuming and costly. Additionally, it prevents
packaging from being carried out as a continuation of the wafer
fabrication process.
[0018] The present invention solves this problem by providing a
method of packaging integrated circuit chips at the wafer level. As
described in more detail below, the integrated circuit chips 22 are
packaged concurrently while still part of the patterned wafer 10.
Accordingly, the packaging process may be carried out as a
continuation of the wafer fabrication process. This serves to
streamline and shorten the packaging process. Moreover, as also
described in more detail below, the method of the present invention
produces a chip size package. As a result, the packaged integrated
circuit chips 22 may be used in applications which require
miniaturized devices consuming an area not larger than individual
chips.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1B, a polymide coating 24 may be applied
to the surface 16 of the substrate 12. The polymide coating 24 may
provide better adhesion for encapsulating material that will cover
and protect the integrated circuits 14. Conventional pattern
etching techniques may be used to prevent the polymide coating 24
from covering the bonding pads 18. It will be understood that other
or no coatings may be used within the scope of the present
invention.
[0020] A sheet of lead frames 26 may be disposed opposite the
surface 16 of the substrate 12. The sheet of lead frames 26 may
include a plurality of individual lead frames 28 that each provide
electrical connections for one of the integrated circuit chips
22.
[0021] The sheet of lead frames 26 may be a unitary sheet of
material. In one embodiment, the material of the lead frames 28 may
be Alloy 42 locally plated with silver. It will be understood that
a variety of other materials may be used for the lead frames 28
within the scope of the present invention.
[0022] The lead frames 28 may each include a plurality of leads 30
within a periphery 32 of an opposing integrated circuit chip 22.
Accordingly, the leads 30 do not overlap other integrated circuit
chips 22. As described in more detail below, the leads 30 may be
electrically coupled to the bonding pads 18 and extend from the
encapsulant for connection to external components.
[0023] In one embodiment, the leads 30 may be in a dual level
configuration. In this configuration, as shown by FIG. 1B, an upper
set of leads 30 may be disposed on a lower set of leads 30.
Accordingly, the dual level configuration provides a greater number
of leads 30 for the integrated circuit chips 22. The lead frames 28
may also include an elongated strip (not shown) connecting one or
more leads 30. The strip may be employed as a ground or supply
voltage conductor. It will be understood that other lead frame 28
configurations may be used within the scope of the present
invention.
[0024] The leads 30 may each have a distal end 34 for connection to
an external device. In one embodiment, as shown by FIG. 1B, the
distal ends 34 are in substantially one plane and may extend the
periphery 32 of the integrated circuit chip 22. In this embodiment,
the lead frames 28 may be cut from the lead frame sheet 26 by the
post packaging sawing process used to cut the patterned wafer 10
into individual integrated circuit chips 22.
[0025] As shown by FIG. 1B, each distal end 34 may be substantially
parallel to the integrated circuit chip 22. In one embodiment, the
distal end 34 may include palladium. The palladium pre-plating
allows the distal end 34 to be more easily soldered to a printed
circuit board and the like. It will be understood that the distal
end 34 may include other or no pre-plating within the scope of the
present invention. For example, the distal end 34 may be solder
pre-plated.
[0026] The lead frames 28 may each be mounted to an opposing
integrated circuit chip 22. In one embodiment, an adhesive tape 40
may be used to mount the lead frames 28 to the opposing integrated
circuit chip 22. Preferably, the adhesive tape 40 is non-conducting
to prevent electrical shorting. The adhesive tape 40 may be tacky
on both sides to adhere to the polymide layer 24 and to the leads
30 of the lead frame 28. The adhesive tape 40 may be attached to
the lead frame 28 in a variety of ways and a variety of
thicknesses. Such methods are well known and will not be further
described.
[0027] Additionally, the upper set of leads 30 may be mounted to
the lower set of leads 30 by the adhesive tape 40. Although the use
of adhesive tape 40 has been discussed for mounting the leads 30,
it will be understood that the lead frames 28 may be otherwise
mounted to the opposing integrated circuit chip 22. Similarly, the
upper leads may be otherwise mounted to the lower leads. For
example, the leads 30 and/or lead frame 28 may be mechanically
coupled by an epoxy or the like.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1C, a connector 42 may electrically couple
the leads 30 to the bonding pads 18 of the opposing integrated
circuit chip 22. In one embodiment, the connectors 42 may each
comprise a wire bonded to a lead 30 and to a bonding pad 18. In
this embodiment, the wire may be any thin, durable conductive
metal. In a particular embodiment, the wire may be gold wire having
a diameter of about 1.0 to 1.2 mils. The wire may be wedge, ball or
similarly bonded to the leads 30 and the bonding pads 18. In one
embodiment, the wire bonding process may use trapezoidal looping
which results in a low looping profile. It will be understood that
the connector 42 may be other than a wire within the scope of the
present invention. For example, the connector 42 may be a solder or
a gold ball, or alternately wire and ball.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1D, the integrated circuit chips 22,
connectors 42 and at least a portion of the lead frames 28 may be
encapsulated. The encapsulant 44 serves to protect the integrated
circuit chips 22 from exposure to environmental factors that could
damage the circuit components. The encapsulant 44 also serves to
make the entire assembly mechanically rigid and durable. Each
encapsulated integrated circuit, connectors and opposing lead frame
may form a discrete integrated circuit package 50.
[0030] In one embodiment, the encapsulant 44 may be applied to only
the side of the wafer 10 including the integrated circuits 14,
connectors 42 and lead frames 28. The encapsulant 44 may be applied
as a liquid by a syringe. In this embodiment, the liquid may be at
first low viscosity and quickly solidify. It will be understood
that the encapsulant 44 may be otherwise applied within the scope
of the present invention. For example, the encapsulant 44 may be
applied using conventional transfer molding or 3P molding
technology, a mold cavity as large as the wafer 10 or the like. It
will be further understood that both sides of the wafer 10 may be
encapsulated within the scope of the present invention.
[0031] As shown by FIG. 1D, a remaining portion of each lead 30 may
remain exposed after encapsulation. The exposed portion of the
leads 30 provide connections for the integrated circuit chip 22 to
external components, such as a printed circuit board and the like.
In one embodiment, the exposed portion of the leads 30 may be the
distal ends 34. As previously discussed, the distal ends 34 may be
pre-plating with palladium to be more easily soldered to a printed
circuit board or the like.
[0032] The distal ends 34 may be left exposed by regulating the
volume of encapsulant 44 applied to the wafer 10. For the
embodiment of FIG. 1D, the volume of the encapsulant 44 may be the
amount necessary to fill up to an underside 46 of the distal ends
34. In this embodiment, the distal ends 34 may be substantially
parallel to the integrated circuit chip 22 to allow the encapsulant
44 to fill up to the underside 46 of the distal ends 34 without
covering an outer side 46 of the distal ends 34. The substantially
parallel distal ends 34 will also allow the packaged chip to sit
flat against a printed circuit board or the like.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1E, the encapsulated wafer may be sawed to
detach the individual integrated circuit packages 50 from one
another. In accordance with the present invention, the integrated
circuit packages 50 may be complete and ready for testing,
stenciling and shipment to customers. If desired, however, ends 52
of the integrated circuit packages 50 and/or the back side 54 of
the substrate 12 may be first sealed. Accordingly, the present
invention provides a method of packaging integrated circuits at the
wafer level. The wafer level packaging may be carried out as a
continuation of the wafer fabrication process to streamline and
shorten the packaging process.
[0034] As shown by FIG. 1E, each integrated circuit package 50 may
be a chip sized package. Accordingly, neither the lead frame 28,
connectors 42 or encapsulant 44 extend beyond the periphery 32 of
the integrated circuit chip 22. As a result, package volume is
minimized and the chip may be used in devices requiring extremely
small chips.
[0035] Although the present invention has been described with
several embodiments, various changes and modifications may be
suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the
present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *