Abstract:
A sensing device includes a sensor die having a sensing region formed at a first surface of the sensor die. The sensing device further includes an encapsulant covering the sensing die, the encapsulant having a cavity formed therein, wherein the cavity exposes the sensing region. A sensitive membrane material is deposited within the cavity over the sensing region. A method of manufacturing sensing devices entails mounting a plurality of sensing dies to a carrier, encapsulating the dies in an encapsulant, forming cavities in the encapsulant, the cavities exposing a sensing region of each sensor die, and depositing the sensitive membrane material within each of the cavities. The encapsulating and forming operations can be performed simultaneously using a film-assisted molding (FAM) process, and the depositing operation is performed following FAM at an ambient temperature that is lower than the temperature needed to perform FAM.
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 package includes a MEMS die and a cap element coupled to and stacked with the MEMS die. The MEMS die includes at least two physically isolated pressure sensors, each of which resides on its individual cantilevered platform structure. A first pressure sensor is vented to a first external environment via a first vent extending through the bottom of the MEMS die and is adapted to detect a first pressure of the first external environment. The MEMS die can be coupled to a lead frame having an opening that is aligned with the first vent. A second sensor is vented to a second external environment via a second vent extending through the cap element and is adapted to detect a second pressure of the second external environment. A difference between the first and second pressures is the differential pressure.
Abstract:
A device in which an electronic circuit positioned within a cavity of a package housing is encased by a bubble restrictor material, with a media resistant material overlaying the bubble restrictor material. The bubble restrictor material functions to inhibit the formation and growth of moisture-related bubbles within the material, including at the interfaces of the material and surfaces within the package housing. The media resistant material is resistant to physical and chemical alterations by media within an external environment to which the device is exposed. The media resistant material and bubble resistant material function to transfer a sensed characteristic of the media to the electronic circuit.
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:
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:
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die includes a substrate having a recess formed therein and a cantilevered platform structure. The cantilevered platform structure has a platform and an arm extending from the platform, wherein the platform and arm are suspended over the recess. The arm is fixed to the substrate and is a sole attachment point of the platform to the substrate. A MEMS device resides on the platform. Fabrication methodology entails forming the recess in the substrate, with the recess extending inwardly from a surface of the substrate, and attaching a structural layer over the recess and over the surface of the substrate. The MEMS device is formed on the structural layer and the structural layer is removed around a perimeter of the platform and the arm to form the cantilevered platform 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:
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:
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.