Formfactor Patent Grants

Method of stacking electronic components

Granted: July 27, 1999
Patent Number: 5926951
A method of stacking electronic components is disclosed. A first electronic component having a first interconnection substrate with a first set of contact pads on at least one surface thereof is provided. At least a first semiconductor device with resilient contact structures mounted thereto is provided. The first semiconductor device is positioned relative to the first electronic component with the resilient contact structures extending therefrom and electrically contacting the first…

Flexible contact structure with an electrically conductive shell

Granted: June 29, 1999
Patent Number: 5917707
An interconnection contact structure assembly including an electronic component having a surface and a conductive contact carried by the electronic component and accessible at the surface. The contact structure includes an internal flexible elongate member having first and second ends and with the first end forming a first intimate bond to the surface of said conductive contact terminal without the use of a separate bonding material. An electrically conductive shell is provided and is…

Contact structure device for interconnections, interposer, semiconductor assembly and package using the same and method

Granted: May 4, 1999
Patent Number: 5900738
An interconnection contact structure assembly including an electronic component having a surface and a conductive contact carried by the electronic component and accessible at the surface. The contact structure includes an internal flexible elongate member having first and second ends and with the first end forming a first intimate bond to the surface of said conductive contact terminal without the use of a separate bonding material. An electrically conductive shell is provided and is…

Method of burning-in semiconductor devices

Granted: March 9, 1999
Patent Number: 5878486
Resilient contact structures are mounted directly to bond pads on semiconductor dies, prior to the dies being singulated (separated) from a semiconductor wafer. This enables the semiconductor dies to be exercised (e.g., tested and/or burned-in) by connecting to the semiconductor dies with a circuit board or the like having a plurality of terminals disposed on a surface thereof. Subsequently, the semiconductor dies may be singulated from the semiconductor wafer, whereupon the same…

Method of mounting resilient contact structures to semiconductor devices

Granted: November 3, 1998
Patent Number: 5829128
Resilient contact structures are mounted directly to bond pads on semiconductor dies, prior to the dies being singulated (separated) from a semiconductor wafer. This enables the semiconductor dies to be exercised (e.g., tested and/or burned-in) by connecting to the semiconductor dies with a circuit board or the like having a plurality of terminals disposed on a surface thereof. Subsequently, the semiconductor dies may be singulated from the semiconductor wafer, whereupon the same…

Contact carriers (tiles) for populating larger substrates with spring contacts

Granted: September 15, 1998
Patent Number: 5806181
The invention relates to making temporary, pressure connections between electronic components and, more particularly, to techniques for performing test and burn-in procedures on semiconductor devices prior to their packaging, preferably prior to the individual semiconductor devices being singulated from a semiconductor wafer.

Method of severing bond wires and forming balls at their ends

Granted: June 30, 1998
Patent Number: 5773780
The efficacy of electrical discharges for severing bond wires and/or for forming balls at the ends of bond wires (including bond wires already severed by alternative mechanisms) is improved by performing the electrical discharges in the presence of ultraviolet light. A "spark gap" is formed between an EFO electrode and the wire, one of which serves as the cathode of the spark gap. Preferably, the ultraviolet light is directed at the element serving as the cathode of the spark gap.…

Method and apparatus for wirebonding, for severing bond wires, and for forming balls on the ends of bond wires

Granted: February 11, 1997
Patent Number: 5601740
The efficacy of electrical discharges for severing bond wires and/or for forming balls at the ends of bond wires (including bond wires already severed by alternative mechanisms) is improved by performing the electrical discharges in the presence of ultraviolet light. A "spark gap" is formed between an EFO electrode and the wire, one of which serves as the cathode of the spark gap. Preferably, the ultraviolet light is directed at the element serving as the cathode of the spark gap.…