A component-containing module includes a core substrate which includes a lower surface including recessed portions and a raised portion, and an upper surface facing the lower surface and which includes a plurality of in-plane conductors, an integrated circuit element arranged at a location which is above the upper surface and which corresponds to the raised portion, a first passive element and a second passive element disposed in the recessed portions of the lower surface, a composite resin layer which underlies the lower surface and which has a flat or substantially flat surface, and an external terminal electrode which is disposed on the flat or substantially flat surface of the composite resin layer and which is electrically connected to the in-plane conductors of the core substrate. The component-containing module enables electronic components, such as integrated circuit elements and passive elements, to be densely arranged and to be reduced in profile and size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a component-containing module including a core substrate and an electronic component which is mounted on the core substrate and which is sealed with resin.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, advanced compact module components have been demanded. A component-containing module having a structure in which electronic components are mounted on both surfaces of a core substrate and the electronic components located on the mounting surface side thereof are embedded in resin has been used. In such a component-containing module, electronic components mounted on the mounting surface side of a core substrate are embedded in resin and, therefore, a flat mounting surface can be provided. A known example of the component-containing module is a high-frequency semiconductor device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3890947.

With reference toFIG. 8, the high-frequency semiconductor device, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3890947, includes a ceramic substrate2, a circuit pattern which is disposed under the lower surface of the ceramic substrate2and which includes integrated circuit elements1a,1b, and1cand passive elements (not shown), and a composite resin material layer10which covers the lower surface of the ceramic substrate and in which the integrated circuit elements1a,1b, and1cand the passive elements are embedded. The composite resin material layer10has a flat lower surface. The lower surface of the composite resin material layer10has a plurality of external connection electrodes4disposed thereon. The composite resin material layer10includes via-holes11. The via-holes11are filled with a conductive resin12. The external connection electrodes4, which are arranged on the composite resin material layer10, are electrically connected to the circuit pattern, which covers the lower surface of the ceramic substrate2, through the conductive resin12. The upper surface of the ceramic substrate2includes a chip component3, such as a chip capacitor, disposed thereon for finely tuning the high-frequency circuit constant. The ceramic substrate2includes passive elements, such as printing resistors8and printing capacitors9arranged therein. The integrated circuit elements1a,1b, and1care a gallium arsenide power semiconductor element1a, a gallium arsenide semiconductor element1bdefining a switching element, and a silicon semiconductor element1cfor circuit control.

In the high-frequency semiconductor device (component-containing module), which is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3890947, the thickness of the ceramic substrate2substantially depends on the number of interconnection layers included in the circuit pattern because of the structure thereof. Therefore, an increase in the number of terminals of the integrated circuit elements1a,1b, and1c, which are mounted on the ceramic substrate2, increases the thickness of the ceramic substrate2. Furthermore, the arrangement of the passive elements, the electron injection layer8, and the cathode9in the ceramic substrate2increases the number of interconnection layers, which increases the thickness of the ceramic substrate2. Therefore, there is a problem in that the size of the component-containing module is prevented from being reduced when the integrated circuit elements1a,1b, and1cand the passive elements are densely arranged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To prevent the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a component-containing module which includes electronic components, such as integrated circuit elements and passive elements, that are densely mounted on a substrate and which can be reduced in profile and size.

A component-containing module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a core substrate which includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface facing the first principal surface, said first principal surface including recessed portions and a raised portion, and the core substrate including a plurality of interconnection layers, an integrated circuit element arranged at a location which is above the second principal surface and which corresponds to the raised portion, passive elements disposed in the recessed portions of the first principal surface, a resin layer which overlies at least one of the first and second principal surfaces and which has a flat surface, and an electrode which is disposed on the flat surface of the resin layer and which is electrically connected to the interconnection layers.

In the component-containing module, the core substrate is preferably made of ceramic.

In the component-containing module, the resin layer preferably overlies the first principal surface and covers the raised portion.

The component-containing module preferably further includes a via-hole conductor connecting a convex surface of the raised portion to the electrode disposed on the flat surface of the resin layer.

The component-containing module preferably further includes a high heat conductor disposed in a portion of the resin layer that covers the convex surface of the raised portion.

In the component-containing module, the raised portion is preferably disposed at substantially the center of the first principal surface of the core substrate in a specific sectional view including the raised portion, the recessed portions are preferably arranged on both sides of the raised portion, and the passive elements are preferably separately disposed in the recessed portions.

In the component-containing module, the resin layer is preferably disposed on both the first and second principal surfaces.

The component-containing module preferably further includes a shielding layer disposed on the resin layer that is different from the resin layer on which the electrode is disposed and that is among the two resin layers formed on the first and second principal surfaces.

Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a component-containing module in which electronic components, such as integrated circuit elements and passive elements, are densely arranged and which can be reduced in profile and size.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7.FIG. 1is a sectional view of a component-containing module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a sectional view of a modification of the component-containing module shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is an illustration showing a step of a method for manufacturing a core substrate included in the component-containing module shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 4is a perspective view of the core substrate formed through the step shown inFIG. 3.FIGS. 5 to 7are sectional views of component-containing modules according to other preferred embodiments of the present invention and correspond toFIG. 1.

First Preferred Embodiment

A component-containing module10of this preferred embodiment includes a core substrate11including a plurality of stacked ceramic layers11A as shown inFIG. 1. The core substrate11includes a first principal surface (lower surface)11B including a raised portion11C and recessed portions11D. The raised portion11C is located at substantially the center of the lower surface11B of the core substrate11. The recessed portions11D are arranged on the right and left of the raised portion11C. The core substrate11includes a second principal surface (upper surface)11E which faces the lower surface11B and which is a flat or substantially flat surface having no irregularities. The recessed portions11D and11D, which are located on the right and left of the raised portion11C, have the same or substantially the same depth. The ceramic layers11A are arranged in the raised portion11C and the recessed portions11D and include predetermined circuit patterns12. The circuit patterns12include interconnection layers (hereinafter referred to as “in-plane conductors”)12A which are each located at the interface between the upper and lower ceramic layers11A and which have a predetermined pattern, via-hole conductors12B which electrically connect the upper and lower in-plane conductors12A and12A to each other and which have a predetermined pattern, and surface electrodes12C which are arranged on the lower surface11B and upper surface11E of the core substrate11and which have a predetermined pattern.

An integrated circuit element13, such as a gallium arsenide semiconductor element or a silicon semiconductor element, is arranged at a location which is above the upper surface11E of the core substrate11and which corresponds to the raised portion11C as shown inFIG. 1. The integrated circuit element13is electrically connected to the surface electrodes12C through a plurality of external terminal electrodes13A by soldering. The raised portion11C of the lower surface11B of the core substrate11and the integrated circuit element13, which is mounted above the upper surface11E, overlap in plan view. Many of the circuit patterns12that are associated with the integrated circuit element13are centered in the raised portion11C. To increase the number of the external terminal electrodes13A under the integrated circuit element13, the number of the in-plane conductors12A arranged in the raised portion11C is increased and the in-plane conductors12A are electrically connected to the surface electrodes12C through the via-hole conductors12B. This can accommodate the increase in the number of the external terminal electrodes13A under the integrated circuit element13. All of the external terminal electrodes13A under the integrated circuit element13are preferably in an area defined by projecting the raised portion11C onto the upper surface11E of the core substrate11. Junctions between the core substrate11and the external terminal electrodes13A are likely to cause cracks in the core substrate11. However, cracks are not caused therein because all of the external terminal electrodes13A are in the projected area of the raised portion11C and a portion of the core substrate11that is bonded to the external terminal electrodes13A is relatively thick.

A first passive element14A and second passive element14B, such as a chip capacitor or a chip inductor, are disposed in the right and left recessed portions11D and11D of the core substrate11as shown inFIG. 1. The first and second passive elements14A and14B include external terminal electrodes and are electrically connected to the surface electrodes12C through the external terminal electrodes thereof. The first and second passive elements14A and14B which are disposed in the recessed portions11D preferably have a height less than that of the raised portion11C, that is, a height not greater than that of the raised portion11C. When the first and second passive elements14A and14B have a height less than that of the raised portion11C, the height of the first and second passive elements14A and14B is less than the height of the core substrate11. This allows the component-containing module10to have low profile.

A resin layer15(a composite resin layer preferably made of, for example, an organic resin material including an inorganic powder component) underlies the lower surface11B of the core substrate11. The raised portion11C is entirely covered with the composite resin layer15and the first and second passive elements14A and14B are disposed in the recessed portions11D and are sealed with the composite resin layer15. The composite resin layer15has a flat or substantially flat lower surface. The composite resin layer15has a thin portion disposed under the lower surface11B of the raised portion11C and thick portions which are disposed under the lower surfaces11B of the recessed portions11D and which seal the first and second passive elements14A and14B. Thus, the lower surface thereof is flat or substantially flat. The recessed portions11D of the core substrate11have an enhanced mechanical strength due to the composite resin layer15.

A peripheral portion of the lower surface of the composite resin layer15includes a plurality of external terminal electrodes16arranged in a predetermined pattern. The external terminal electrodes16are arranged opposite to the surface electrodes12C, which are arranged in the recessed portions11D in a predetermined pattern, and are electrically connected to the circuit patterns12through via-hole conductors disposed in the composite resin layer15. The via-hole conductors17are formed such that tapered via-holes are formed in the composite resin layer15using, for example, a laser beam and are then filled with a conductive resin. The external terminal electrodes16are used to electrically connect the component-containing module10to surface electrodes of a mounting board, such as a mother board, for example.

The integrated circuit element13is located at a position which is above the upper surface11E and which corresponds to the raised portion11C corresponding to the raised portion11C as described above. The raised portion11C includes the ceramic layers11A, which have good heat conductivity. Thus, even if the integrated circuit element13generates heat, the heat generated therefrom is readily transferred to the lower surface11B through the raised portion11C and, therefore, can be efficiently dissipated from the lower surface11B of the raised portion11C. The recessed portions11D of the core substrate11are mechanically reinforced with the composite resin layer15and, therefore, have good resistance to impact due to falling.

In this preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, the lower surface11B of the core substrate11is covered with the composite resin layer15such that the raised portion11C and the first and second passive elements14A and14B are embedded in the composite resin layer15as described above. As shown inFIG. 2, the integrated circuit element13may preferably be embedded in the composite resin layer15by covering the upper surface11E of the core substrate11with the composite resin layer15and the raised portion11C of the lower surface11B of the core substrate11and the first and second passive elements14A and14B may be exposed. In this configuration, a low-profile compact module similar to the component-containing module10shown inFIG. 1can be obtained because the circuit patterns12associated with the integrated circuit element13can be centered in the raised portion11C and the first and second passive elements14A and14B, which are located on the right and left of the raised portion11C, are disposed in the recessed portions11D. The mechanical strength of the recessed portions11D can be improved with the composite resin layer15. Substantially the same advantages as those of the component-containing module10shown inFIG. 1can be achieved.

In this preferred embodiment, the core substrate11preferably includes the ceramic layers11A as described above. The core substrate11is not limited to the ceramic layer. The core substrate11may preferably be formed by stacking resin layers made of, for example, a heat-curable resin.

When the core substrate11includes a ceramic layer, for example, a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) material can be used as a material for the ceramic layers11A. The low temperature co-fired ceramic material is a type of ceramic material which is sinterable at a temperature of about 1050° C. or less and which can be co-fired with silver or copper, which has low resistivity. Examples of the low temperature co-fired ceramic material include a composite glass LTCC material prepared from a mixture of borosilicate glass and a ceramic powder, such as an alumina powder, a zirconia powder, a magnesia powder, or a forsterite powder; a crystalline glass LTCC material prepared from ZnO—MgO—Al2O3—SiO2crystalline glass; and a non-glass LTCC material prepared from a BaO—Al2O3—SiO2ceramic powder, an Al2O3—CaO—SiO2—MgO—B2O3ceramic powder, and/or another ceramic powder. When the ceramic layers11A are made of the low temperature co-fired ceramic material, a metal, such as silver or copper, having low resistivity and a low melting point can be used to form the circuit patterns12and the core substrate11and the circuit patterns12can be formed at a temperature of about 1050° C. or less by co-firing.

Alternatively, a high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) material can be used as a material for the ceramic layers11A. The high temperature co-fired ceramic material is preferably one prepared by sintering a mixture of alumina, aluminum nitride, mullite, a sintering aid such as glass, and another material at about 1100° C. or greater. In this case, a metal material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, platinum, palladium, tungsten, nickel, and alloys containing these metals, for example, can be used to form the circuit patterns12.

A method for manufacturing the component-containing module10shown inFIG. 1is schematically described below. The component-containing module10is manufactured such that a plurality of component-containing modules10are simultaneously prepared and are then separated from one another. As shown inFIG. 3, for example, a predetermined number of first ceramic green sheets111A having a size corresponding to that of the component-containing modules10are prepared. Via-holes (not shown) are formed in the first ceramic green sheets111A in a predetermined pattern and are then filled with, for example, a conductive paste. In-plane conductive portions (not shown) having a predetermined pattern are each formed on the upper surface of a corresponding one of the first ceramic green sheets111A by screen printing.

In order to form the raised portion11C and the recessed portions11D on the lower surface11B of each component-containing module10, a predetermined number of second ceramic green sheets111′A having stamped out portions111′D arranged in a matrix pattern are prepared such that the first ceramic green sheets111A are stamped with a rectangular die as shown inFIG. 3. In-plane conductive portions and via-hole conductors are formed on the upper surfaces of the second ceramic green sheets111′A as well as on the first ceramic green sheets111A.

After a predetermined number of the first ceramic green sheets111A are stacked, a predetermined number of the second ceramic green sheets111′A are stacked thereon, whereby a ceramic green sheet laminate111is obtained. The upper surface of the ceramic green sheet laminate111has a raised portion111C and recessed portions111D. The ceramic green sheet laminate111is sintered by firing the ceramic green sheet laminate111at a predetermined temperature, whereby a mother substrate is obtained.

After the first and second passive elements14A and14B are mounted in the recessed portions111D of the mother substrate, a prepreg is hot-pressed against the recessed portion side of the mother substrate, whereby the first and second passive elements14A and14B are embedded in the recessed portions thereof. The prepreg is heat-cured, whereby the composite resin layer15is formed. Via-holes are formed in the composite resin layer15in a predetermined pattern and are then filled with a conductive resin, whereby the via-hole conductors17are formed. The external terminal electrodes16are formed on a surface of the composite resin layer15by a lithographic or etching technique, for example. The mother substrate is turned over and the integrated circuit element13is mounted on a flat surface of the mother substrate that does not include recessed portions. In this operation, the raised portion11C and the integrated circuit element13are arranged so as to overlap with each other in plan view. The mother substrate is divided into pieces, whereby the component-containing module10according to this preferred embodiment is obtained.

In this preferred embodiment, the raised portion11C and recessed portions11D of the component-containing module10are simultaneously formed using the second ceramic green sheets111′A having the stamped out portions111′D as described above. A mother substrate for forming the core substrate11used in this preferred embodiment may be formed such that a tabular first ceramic laminate and block-shaped second ceramic laminates are prepared in advance, the second ceramic laminates are disposed on the first ceramic laminate, and the first and second ceramic laminates are bonded together.

According to this preferred embodiment, the component-containing module10has the lower surface11B, which includes the raised portion11C and recessed portions11D, and the upper surface11E, which faces the lower surface11B, as described above. The component-containing module10includes the in-plane conductors12A, which are arranged at the interface between the ceramic layers11A and which have a predetermined pattern, the integrated circuit element13, which is arranged at the location that is above the upper surface11E and that corresponds to the raised portion11C corresponding to the raised portion11C, the first and second passive elements14A and14B, which are disposed in the recessed portions11D of the lower surface11B, the composite resin layer15, which is disposed under the lower surface11B and has the flat or substantially flat surface, and the external terminal electrodes16, which are arranged on the flat surface of the composite resin layer15and are electrically connected to the surface electrodes12C. The integrated circuit element13is disposed so as to overlap with the raised portion11C in plan view. Therefore, even if the number of the terminal electrodes13A under the integrated circuit element13is increased, the circuit patterns12can be arranged in the raised portion11C without increasing the number of the ceramic layers11A. The height of the first and second passive elements14A and14B, which are disposed in the recessed portions11D, is less than that of the core substrate11. This allows the component-containing module10to have low profile and a compact size. The number of the first and second passive elements14A and14B can be increased such that the recessed portions11D are formed over a wide area by providing the raised portion11C only at a necessary location. This advantage can be achieved when the first and second passive elements14A and14B are taller than the raised portion11C.

According to this preferred embodiment, the core substrate11includes the ceramic layers11A. Thus, even if the integrated circuit element13generates heat, the heat generated therefrom is readily transferred to the lower surface11B through the ceramic layers11A, which has good heat conductivity and is disposed in the raised portion11C, and, therefore, can be efficiently dissipated from the lower surface11B. This enables the component-containing module10to have increased cooling efficiency. Since the first and second passive elements14A and14B are separately arranged on both sides of the raised portion11C, the first and second passive elements14A and14B separated from one another and, therefore, the electromagnetic interference therebetween can be significantly reduced. This enables the component-containing module10to have increased reliability.

Second Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 5shows a component-containing module10A of this preferred embodiment. The component-containing module10A has a configuration substantially the same as that of the component-containing module10of the first preferred embodiment, except that the lower surface11B of a core substrate11includes a second raised portion11C1, a plurality of small via-hole conductors17A are arranged in portions of a composite resin layer15that cover a corresponding one of the lower surface11B of the raised portion11C and the lower surface11B of the second raised portion11C1, and a third passive element14C and a fourth passive element14D are arranged on the upper surface11E of the core substrate11so as to be adjacent to an integrated circuit element13. In this preferred embodiment, the same components as those described in the first preferred embodiment or components corresponding to those described in the first preferred embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first preferred embodiment. The principal features of this preferred embodiment are described below. In this preferred embodiment, a raised portion11C located at the approximate center of the core substrate11is referred to as a first raised portion11C.

In this preferred embodiment, the lower surface11B of the core substrate11includes the first and second raised portions11C and11C1and two recessed portions11D and11D as shown inFIG. 5, the first and second raised portions11C and11C1and the recessed portions11D being alternately arranged. The first and second raised portions11C and11C1preferably have substantially the same height. The two recessed portions11D and11D preferably have substantially the same depth. A first passive element14A and second passive element14B are each disposed in a corresponding one of the two recessed portions11D. The lower surface11B of the core substrate11is entirely covered with the composite resin layer15. The first and second passive elements14A and14B, which are disposed in the two recessed portions11D and11D, are covered and sealed with the composite resin layer15. The lower surface of the composite resin layer15is flat or substantially flat. The raised portion11C is arranged at a location at which a large number of in-plane conductors12A are required because of the increase of the number of terminals under the integrated circuit element13as shown inFIG. 5. The second raised portion11C1is arranged at, for example, a location at which the heat generated from the third passive element14C, such as a resistor, must be dissipated.

The small via-hole conductors17A are arranged in the portions of the composite resin layer15that cover the first and second raised portions11C and11C1. The via-hole conductors17form a predetermined pattern. The small via-hole conductors17A electrically connect surface electrodes12C disposed under the lower surfaces11B of the first and second raised portions11C and11C1to external terminal electrodes16disposed under the lower surface of the composite resin layer15. The small via-hole conductors17A are defined by via-holes formed using a laser beam that are filled with a conductive paste. The via-holes, which are formed using the laser beam, have openings in the composite resin layer15and preferably have a tapered shape such that the via-holes are gradually reduced in diameter from the openings toward the lower surfaces11B of the first and second raised portions11C and11C1. There is preferably substantially no difference in diameter between the openings of the small via-holes and portions of the small via-holes that are disposed under the lower surfaces of the first and second raised portions11C and11C1because the small via-holes are formed in thin portions of the composite resin layer15. Therefore, portions of the small via-hole conductors17A that are disposed under the lower surfaces of the first and second raised portions11C and11C1have an area substantially equal to that of portions of the small via-hole conductors17A that are disposed in the lower surface of the composite resin layer15.

The small via-hole conductors17A are preferably used as interconnections for signal transmission or thermal conductors for heat dissipation in some cases. In the case of using the small via-hole conductors17A only for heat dissipation, the small via-hole conductors17A may preferably be directly connected to ceramic layers11A included in the second raised portion11C1.

In the case of using the small via-hole conductors17A as interconnections for signal transmission, the outer diameter of the small via-hole conductors17A may be reduced in accordance with a reduction in size of the surface electrodes12C under the lower surfaces11B of the first and second raised portions11C and11C1and external terminal electrodes16A under the lower surface of the composite resin layer15. This enables the high density interconnection of the component-containing module10A and enables the component-containing module10A to have a smaller size.

In the case of using the small via-hole conductors17A as thermal conductors for heat dissipation, heat can be efficiently dissipated from heat-dissipating electrodes outside such that a large number of the small via-hole inductors17A are provided in the composite resin layer15and the heat dissipation areas of the first and second raised portions11C and11C1are maintained to the lower surface of the composite resin layer15and properties of the component-containing module10A can be prevented from being deteriorated such that heat is inhibited or prevented from being transferred to the first and second passive elements14A and14B in the composite resin layer15. In particular, when the portions of the composite resin layer15that cover the first and second raised portions11C and11C1have a relatively small thickness, the areas of the small via-hole conductors17A under the lower surfaces11B thereof can be maintained to the lower surface of the composite resin layer15, whereby increased heat dissipation efficiency can be achieved.

According to this preferred embodiment, the small via-hole conductors17A are arranged in the portions of the composite resin layer15that cover the first and second raised portions11C and11C1. Therefore, even if the circuit patterns12are densely arranged in the first and second raised portions11C and11C1in response to the number of the terminals under the integrated circuit element13disposed above the raised portion11C, the external terminal electrodes16A under the lower surface of the composite resin layer15can be densely arranged such that the small via-hole conductors17A are reduced in outer diameter. Furthermore, heat dissipation efficiency can be increased such that the number of the small via-hole conductors17A is increased in accordance with a heat source (third passive element14C) disposed above the second raised portion11C1and heat transfer paths are provided such that the heat dissipation area of the second raised portion11C1is maintained to the lower surface of the composite resin layer15. In this preferred embodiment, the first and second raised portions11C and11C1and the first and second recessed portions11D and11D have substantially the same height and depths. Even if these portions have different heights or depths, substantially the same advantages as those described above can be achieved.

Third Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 6shows a component-containing module10B of this preferred embodiment. The component-containing module10B has a configuration substantially the same as that of the component-containing module10A of the second preferred embodiment, except that a high heat conductor17B is arranged so as to cover the lower surface11B of a raised portion11C. In this preferred embodiment, the same components as those described in the second preferred embodiment or components corresponding to those described in the second preferred embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the second preferred embodiment. Principal features of this preferred embodiment are described below.

In this preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6, the raised portion11C is included in a core substrate11, a portion of a composite resin layer15that covers the lower surface11B of the raised portion11C is entirely removed, and the high heat conductor17B extends over the lower surface11B of the raised portion11C. The high heat conductor17B is preferably made of a material (such as copper or a copper alloy) having high heat conductivity. The composite resin layer15and the high heat conductor17B are preferably flush or substantially flush with each other and define a flat surface. According to this preferred embodiment, the high heat conductor17B is disposed under the lower surface11B of the high heat conductor17B and, therefore, the heat dissipation efficiency of the raised portion11C is increased. Even if the integrated circuit element13generates a large amount of heat, the heat generated therefrom is efficiently dissipated from the raised portion11C and the high heat conductor17B outside. Thus, the temperature of the integrated circuit element13can be prevented from being increased and the temperature of a first passive element14A and that of a second passive element14B can also be prevented from being increased. This is effective to prevent properties of the component-containing module10from being deteriorated. According to this preferred embodiment, substantially the same advantages as those described in the second preferred embodiment can be achieved.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 7shows a component-containing module10C of this preferred embodiment. The component-containing module10B has a configuration substantially the same as that of the component-containing module10A of the second preferred embodiment, except that a integrated circuit element13, a third passive element14C, and a fourth passive element14D are embedded in a composite resin layer15A and the composite resin layer15A preferably has a flat or substantially flat upper surface covered with a shielding electrode18disposed thereon. In this preferred embodiment, the same components as those described in the second preferred embodiment or components corresponding to those described in the second preferred embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the second preferred embodiment. Principal features of this preferred embodiment are described below.

In this preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, the shielding electrode18is electrically connected to a surface electrode (ground electrode)12C by a via-hole conductor17C extending through the composite resin layer15A, the surface electrode12C being disposed on the upper surface11E of a core substrate11. The via-hole conductor17C can be formed in the same or substantially the same manner as that described in the first preferred embodiment. In this preferred embodiment, small via-hole conductors17A are disposed in a portion of a composite resin layer15that covers the lower surface11B of a raised portion11C and a fifth passive element14E that is preferably a low-profile component is disposed in a sub-portion of the lower surface11B-covering portion of the composite resin layer15. The fifth passive element14E preferably has a mounting height less than that of a first passive element14A and a second passive element14B. This is effective to increase the packaging density of electronic components. The shielding electrode18and the composite resin layer15can be formed such that after, for example, a prepreg having a surface covered with a sheet of copper is hot-pressed against the upper surface11E of the core substrate11such that the copper sheet is directed upward, the prepreg is heat-cured, the integrated circuit element13and the third and fourth passive elements14C and14D being disposed on the upper surface11E of the core substrate11. Alternatively, the shielding electrode18can be formed such that after the prepreg is hot-pressed against the upper surface11E of the core substrate11and is then heat-cured, the upper surface of the composite resin layer15A is plated or is coated with a conductive paste, the integrated circuit element13and the third and fourth passive elements14C and14D being disposed on the upper surface11E of the core substrate11.

According to this preferred embodiment, the integrated circuit element13and the third and fourth passive elements14C and14D, which are disposed on the upper surface11E of the core substrate11, are sealed in the composite resin layer15A, whereby the integrated circuit element13and the third and fourth passive elements14C and14D can be protected from external temperatures and/or humid environments, for example. Furthermore, the upper surface of the composite resin layer15A is covered with the shielding electrode18and the shielding electrode18is electrically connected to the ground electrode12C, which is disposed on the upper surface11E of the core substrate11, through the via-hole conductor17C, whereby the integrated circuit element13and the third and fourth passive elements14C and14D can be protected from external electromagnetic waves. The fifth passive element14E, which is a low-profile component, is disposed under the lower surface11B of the raised portion11C. This effectively increases the packaging density of electronic components. The composite resin layers15and15A are arranged on both surfaces of the core substrate11. This effectively increases the mechanical strength of the component-containing module10C. According to this preferred embodiment, substantially the same advantages as those described in the second preferred embodiment can be achieved in addition to the above-described advantages.

The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described. Elements of the present invention may be modified as required. The core substrate described in each preferred embodiment is made of ceramic. However, the core substrate may be made of resin. This is advantageous in that the core substrate is unlikely to be warped or cracked due to a change in temperature.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a component-containing module suitable for use in various electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices.