The present disclosure is related to a semiconductor package and a semiconductor device module comprising the same.
Over the last couple of years a lot of activities have been carried out concerning the embedding of passive components and active semiconductor dies into PCB or package carrier systems. Some low voltage use cases have found their way into production as embedding provides additional value compared to module or discrete packaging solutions, such as compactness (power density), short lead lengths leading to remarkably low parasitic inductances, good thermal management and significantly improved power cycling capability. These benefits are also seen to be attractive for power applications with high voltages up to 1200 V and specially for fast switching applications >20 kHz. Nevertheless, some existing blocking points, when looking at how chip embedding is done today, have to be solved first as in the future peak voltages of 1700V, 2000V or even higher are under consideration.
The current chip embedding process does not fulfil high voltage application requirements. The breakdown voltage, ion impurity level (sodium, chlorine, etc.) and the overall reliability of current PCB materials that are used for chip embedding are not suitable for 650 V (or even below) devices. Another problem is the missing pre-test capability in the current chip embedding process. Only a finished product can be tested for insulation properties and not a semiconductor package which is to be inserted into a printed circuit board.
For these and other reasons there is a need for the present disclosure.
A first aspect of the present disclosure is related to a semiconductor package comprising a die carrier comprising a first main face and a second main face opposite to the first main face, a semiconductor die disposed on the die carrier, the semiconductor die comprising a first pad and a second pad, a first electrical connector disposed on the first pad, an encapsulant at least partially covering the semiconductor die, the die carrier, and the first electrical connector, and an insulation layer disposed on the second main face of the die carrier.
A second aspect of the present disclosure is related to a semiconductor device module comprising a package carrier comprising an opening, wherein a semiconductor package according to the first aspect is disposed in the opening.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description.
The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “leading”, “trailing”, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
It is to be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.
As employed in this specification, the terms “bonded”, “attached”, “connected”, “coupled” and/or “electrically connected/electrically coupled” are not meant to mean that the elements or layers must directly be contacted together; intervening elements or layers may be provided between the “bonded”, “attached”, “connected”, “coupled” and/or “electrically connected/electrically coupled” elements, respectively. However, in accordance with the disclosure, the above-mentioned terms may, optionally, also have the specific meaning that the elements or layers are directly contacted together, i.e. that no intervening elements or layers are provided between the “bonded”, “attached”, “connected”, “coupled” and/or “electrically connected/electrically coupled” elements, respectively.
Further, the word “over” used with regard to a part, element or material layer formed or located “over” a surface may be used herein to mean that the part, element or material layer be located (e.g. placed, formed, deposited, etc.) “indirectly on” the implied surface with one or more additional parts, elements or layers being arranged between the implied surface and the part, element or material layer. However, the word “over” used with regard to a part, element or material layer formed or located “over” a surface may, optionally, also have the specific meaning that the part, element or material layer be located (e.g. placed, formed, deposited, etc.) “directly on”, e.g. in direct contact with, the implied surface.
More specifically,
The semiconductor package 10 further comprises a semiconductor die 13 disposed on the die carrier 11. The semiconductor die 13 can, for example, be one or more of a vertical transistor die, a MOSFET die, and an IGBT die. Furthermore the semiconductor die 13 can be fabricated from Si, or from a wide bandgap semiconductor material like SiC or GaN.
The semiconductor die 13 comprises a source pad and a drain pad, the source pad being disposed on a first main face of the semiconductor die 13 remote from the die carrier 11 and the drain pad being disposed on a second main face and connected with the first main face of the die carrier 11. The semiconductor die 11 may further comprise a gate pad and a source-sense pad, both being disposed on the first main face.
The semiconductor package 10 further comprises a first electrical connector 12 connected with the first main face of the die carrier 11, a second electrical connector 14 connected with the source pad, a third electrical connector 17, and a forth electrical connector 18 connected with the source-sense pad. The first, second, third and fourth electrical connectors 12, 14, 17, and 18 can be fabricated, for example, by galvanic plating of, for example, copper and can have thicknesses in a range from 5 μm to 1000 μm, for example.
The semiconductor package 10 further comprises an encapsulant 15 which at least partially covers the semiconductor die 13, the die carrier 11, and the first, second, third and fourth electrical connectors 12, 14, 17, and 18 in such a way that respective upper surfaces of these connectors are not covered by the encapsulant 15. In particular, it can be the case that respective upper surfaces of the first, second, third and fourth electrical connectors 12, 14, 17, and 18 are coplanar with an upper surface of the encapsulant 15 as is shown in
The first, second, third and fourth electrical connectors 12, 14, 17, and 18 can be fabricated, for example, by galvanic plating. However, other manufacturing techniques are also conceivable, such as those known from PCB assembly.
The encapsulant 15 may be comprised of a conventional mold compound like, for example, a resin material, in particular an epoxy resin material. Moreover, the encapsulant 15 can be applied in different aggregate states as, for example, in liquid form, as pellets, or as a granulate. Moreover, the encapsulant 15 can be made of a thermally conductive material to allow efficient heat dissipation to external application heat sinks. The material of the encapsulant 15 can, in particular, comprise a resin like an epoxy resin material filled with particles like, for example, SiO or other ceramic particles, or thermally conductive particles like, for examples, Al2O3, BN, AIN, Si3N4, diamond, or any other thermally conductive particles. The encapsulant 15 can also be made of a plateable mold compound.
The semiconductor package 10 further comprises an insulation layer 16 disposed on the second main face of the die carrier 11 and the lowermost main face of the encapsulant 15. The material of the insulation layer 16 may be different from that of the encapsulant and may in particular comprise one or more of an organic insulator, a polymer, a resin, a polyimide, an epoxy resin, an inorganic material, a ceramic material, or one of the above filled with ceramic particles.
Different methods can be applied to fabricate the insulation layer 16. Dependent on the material, the insulation layer 16 can be applied by one or more of compression molding, transfer molding, lamination, printing, and attaching a ceramic material like a ceramic layer.
By using highly insulating materials the thickness of the insulation layer 16 can be made very thin. In particular, a thickness of the insulation layer 16 may be in a range from 5 mm to 1000 μm.
More specifically,
An amendment as compared to
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An amendment as compared to
It should be mentioned that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as depicted in
It should further be mentioned that instead of providing an insulation layer also a carrier could be used which comprises an integral insulation layer in which case no separate insulation layer would have to be applied. Examples for such a carrier could be an IMS (isolated metal substrate), DCB (direct copper bond) or AMB (active metal braze).
The method according to
According to an embodiment of the method applying the insulation layer is performed by one or more of compression molding, transfer molding, lamination, and attaching a ceramic material like a ceramic layer.
According to an embodiment of the method after applying the insulation layer, the insulation properties of the semiconductor package can be tested by, for example, applying a DC voltage of 4.2 kV for 2s.
Further embodiments of the method can be formed by adding aspects or features which were described above in connection with the semiconductor package according to the first aspect.
The semiconductor device module 100 as shown in
The semiconductor device module 100 further comprises a first insulation layer 130 which may essentially completely cover the package carrier 110 which means that the first insulation layer 130 comprises a first horizontal upper layer 130A, a second horizontal lower layer 130B and vertical layers 130C between the first and second layers 130A and 130B which vertical layers 130C may have the form of a contiguous ring which surrounds the opening 120 of the package carrier 110. The first insulation layer 130 may be a polymer layer formed by laminating onto the package carrier 110. As can be seen, the semiconductor package 10 is configured so that the lateral dimensions of the semiconductor package 10 are only slightly smaller than the lateral dimensions of the opening 110.
The first insulation layer 130 comprises electrical vias 131 which are connected with the first, second, third, and fourth electrical connectors 12, 14, 17, and 18 of the semiconductor package 10. The electrical vias 131 can, for example, be formed by galvanic plating of, for example, copper.
The semiconductor device module 100 further comprises a second insulation layer 140 disposed above a first main face of the first insulation layer 130 and a third insulation layer 150 disposed above a second main face of the first insulation layer 130. The second insulation layer 140 also comprises electrical vias 141 which are connected with the electrical visa 131 via an interconnection layer. The third insulation layer 150 also comprises electrical vias 151 which are connected with the second horizontal lower layer 130B. The electrical vias 141 and 151 can, for example, also be formed by galvanic plating of, for example, copper.
The function of the electrical vias 131 and 141 is twofold, namely to make electrical contact with the semiconductor die 130 and to dissipate heat. In contrast, the electrical vias 151 only have the function of providing heat dissipation downwards.
More specifically,
An amendment as compared to
The first horizontal upper layer 230A comprises electrical vias 230A.1 which are connected with the first, second, third, and fourth electrical connectors 12, 14, 17, and 18 of the semiconductor package 10. The electrical vias 230A.1 can, for example, be formed by galvanic plating of, for example, copper.
A difference as compared to the first insulation layer 130 of
More specifically,
A difference as compared to the semiconductor device module 100 of
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A difference as compared to the semiconductor device module 200 of
More specifically,
A difference as compared to the semiconductor device module 100 of
More specifically,
A difference as compared to the semiconductor device module 200 of
The present disclosure also relates to system modules in which two or more semiconductor device modules are integrated in a package carrier such as in
Furthermore other electrical or electronic devices can be integrated with the semiconductor device module such as, for example, gate drivers, controllers, sensors, connectivity devices (Bluetooth or WiFi devices), passive devices etc. Such devices can be embedded in the package carrier in the same way as the semiconductor die or they can be placed on an outer surface of the package carrier.
An example thereof is shown in
More specifically,
A difference as compared to the semiconductor device module 200 of
In the following specific examples of the present disclosure are described.
Example 1 is a semiconductor package, comprising a die carrier comprising a first main face and a second main face opposite to the first main face, a semiconductor die disposed on the die carrier, the semiconductor die comprising a first pad and a second pad, a first electrical connector disposed on the first pad, an encapsulant at least partially covering the semiconductor die, the die carrier, and the first electrical connector, and an insulation layer disposed on the second main face of the die carrier.
Example 2 is the semiconductor package according to Example 1, wherein the semiconductor die comprises a vertical transistor in which the first pad is disposed on the first main face remote from the die carrier and the second pad is disposed on a second main face and connected with the first main face of the die carrier.
Example 3 is the semiconductor package according to Example 2, wherein the first pad is a source pad and the second pad is a drain pad.
Example 4 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, further comprising a second electrical connector connected with the first main face of the die carrier, wherein the encapsulant also partially covers the second electrical connector.
Example 5 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein upper surfaces of one or more of the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are not covered by the encapsulant.
Example 6 is the semiconductor package according to Example 5, wherein a main surface of the encapsulant is coplanar with the upper surfaces of the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector.
Example 7 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, further comprising a further pad disposed on the first main face of the semiconductor die; and a further electrical connector disposed on the further pad, wherein a surface of the further electrical connector is not covered by the encapsulant.
Example 8 is semiconductor package according to Example 7, wherein a main surface of the encapsulant is coplanar with the exposed surface of the further electrical connector.
Example 9 is the semiconductor package according to Example 7 or 8, wherein the further pad comprises a gate pad.
Example 10 is the semiconductor package according to Example 1, wherein the semiconductor die comprises a lateral transistor in which the first pad comprises a source pad and the second pad comprises a drain pad and both the first and second pads are disposed on the first main face remote from the die carrier.
Example 11 is semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, further comprising a leadframe, the die carrier being part of the leadframe.
Example 12 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the insulation layer comprises one or more of an organic insulator, a polymer, a resin, an epoxy resin, a ceramic material, or one of the above filled with ceramic particles.
Example 13 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein instead of the insulation layer a die carrier is provided which comprises an integral insulation layer.
Example 14 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the insulation layer is a part of and contiguous with the encapsulant.
Example 15 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, further comprising a source sense pad disposed on the first main face of the semiconductor die; and a forth electrical connector disposed on the gate pad, wherein a surface of the forth electrical connector is exposed.
Example 16 is the semiconductor package according to Example 15, wherein a main surface of the encapsulant is coplanar with the exposed surface of the forth electrical connector.
Example 17 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the die carrier comprises rounded edges.
Example 18 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the die carrier comprises sidewalls connecting the first main face and the second main face with each other, and the encapsulant covers the first main face and the side faces of the die carrier.
Example 19 is the semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the insulation layer and the encapsulant comprise different materials.
Example 20 is a semiconductor device module comprising a package carrier comprising an opening, wherein a semiconductor package according to any one of the preceding claims is disposed in the opening.
Example 21 is the semiconductor device module according to Example 20, wherein the package carrier is a printed circuit board.
Example 22 is the semiconductor device module) according to Example 20 or 21, further comprising a first insulation layer covering at least portions of the package carrier and the semiconductor package.
Example 23 is the semiconductor device module according to Example 22, wherein the first insulation layer comprises electrical vias connected with the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector.
Example 24 is the semiconductor device module according to Example 22 or 23, further comprising a second insulation layer disposed above a first main face of the first insulation layer and a third insulation layer disposed above a second main face of the first insulation layer.
Example 25 is the semiconductor device module according to any one of Examples, further comprising a heatsink applied to a lower surface and electrical or electronic components applied to an upper surface.
In addition, while a particular feature or aspect of an embodiment of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features or aspects of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “include”, “have”, “with”, or other variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise”. Furthermore, it should be understood that embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in discrete circuits, partially integrated circuits or fully integrated circuits or programming means. Also, the term “exemplary” is merely meant as an example, rather than the best or optimal. It is also to be appreciated that features and/or elements depicted herein are illustrated with particular dimensions relative to one another for purposes of simplicity and ease of understanding, and that actual dimensions may differ substantially from that illustrated herein.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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22160553.8 | Mar 2022 | EP | regional |