Semiconductor device and semiconductor device mounting structure

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, a package encapsulating the semiconductor chip, a plurality of leads each having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor chip and another end exposed at a wall surface of the package to form an external terminal, where each of the leads excluding the external terminal is encapsulated within the package, and a lead projection provided on the external terminal of the lead. This lead projection projects from the wall surface of the package, so that a thickness of a soft bonding material provided on the external terminal can be increased to provide an improved bonding and connection when mounting the semiconductor device on a circuit substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention generally relates to semiconductor devices, methods 
of producing semiconductor devices and semiconductor device mounting 
structures, and more particularly to a semiconductor device which has only 
a portion of leads exposed at a bottom surface of a package so as to 
improve the packaging density of the semiconductor device, a method of 
producing such a semiconductor device, and a semiconductor device mounting 
structure for mounting such a semiconductor device. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Due to the recent improvements in reducing the size, increasing the 
operation speed and increasing the functions of electronic equipments, 
there are demands to realize similar improvements in semiconductor 
devices. In addition to these demands on the semiconductor devices per se, 
there are also demands to improve the packaging density of the 
semiconductor device when packaging the semiconductor device on a 
substrate. 
Accordingly, although the majority of the existing semiconductor devices 
employ the surface mounting which connects the leads at the surface of the 
substrate, there are demands to further improve the packaging density of 
the semiconductor devices. 
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a conventional 
semiconductor device 1. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of this 
semiconductor device 1 taken along a line X--X in FIG. 1. For example, 
this type of semiconductor device was proposed in Japanese Laid-Open 
Patent Applications No.63-15453 and No.63-15451. 
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the semiconductor device 1 generally includes a 
semiconductor chip 2, a resin package 3 which encapsulates the 
semiconductor chip 2, a plurality of leads 4, and a stage 7 on which the 
semiconductor chip 2 is mounted. One end 4a of the lead 4 is connected to 
the semiconductor chip 2 via a wire 5, and the other end of the lead 4 is 
exposed at a bottom surface 3a of the package 3 to form an external 
terminal 6. In other words, all parts of the semiconductor device 1 
excluding the external terminals 6 of the leads 4 are encapsulated within 
the package 3. 
Because the external terminals 6 of the leads 4 are exposed at the bottom 
surface 3a of the package 3 in this semiconductor device 1, the projecting 
length of the leads 4 on the outer side of the package 3 can be made 
small, thereby making it possible to improve the packaging density. In 
addition, the external terminals 6 of the leads 4 do not need to be bent 
as in the case of the conventional leads having the L-shape or gull-wing 
shape. As a result, no mold is required to bend the external terminals 6, 
thereby making it possible to simplify the production process and to 
reduce the production cost. 
On the other hand, another type of semiconductor device was proposed in a 
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.4-44347. According to this 
proposed semiconductor device, the leads are fixed to a circuit forming 
surface of the semiconductor chip via an insulative adhesive agent. In 
addition, the size of the package is reduced by encapsulating only the 
circuit forming surface or only the circuit forming surface and side 
surfaces of the semiconductor chip. 
However, according to the semiconductor device 1 described above, the end 
4a of the lead 4 is located on both sides of the semiconductor chip 2. As 
a result, there is a limit to reducing the size of the package 3, and 
there was a problem in that the size of the semiconductor device 1 cannot 
be reduced to a sufficient extent. In other words, the size of the 
semiconductor device ideally is approximately the same as the size of the 
semiconductor chip. However, the size of the semiconductor device 1 is 
approximately two or more times greater than the size of the semiconductor 
chip 2. 
In addition, the semiconductor device 1 does not take the heat radiation 
into any consideration. That is, there was a problem in that the 
semiconductor device 1 cannot efficiently radiate the heat generated from 
the semiconductor chip 2 outside the package 3. 
On the other hand, according to the semiconductor device proposed in the 
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.4-44347, the leads which are 
connected to an external substrate are apart from the package, and thus, 
the transfer mold technique cannot be employed as the package forming 
technique, and the troublesome potting technique must be employed. As a 
result, this proposed semiconductor device requires troublesome processes 
to produce, and there were problems in that the production efficiency of 
the semiconductor device is poor and the production cost of the 
semiconductor device is high. It is theoretically possible to produce this 
semiconductor device by employing the transfer mold technique, however, 
this would require the mold to be made up of a large number of split 
molds, and this technique is impractical in that the mold would become 
extremely expensive. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a 
novel and useful semiconductor device and a method of producing the same, 
in which the problems described above are eliminated. 
A first particular object of the present invention is to provide a 
semiconductor device and a method of producing the same, which can 
sufficiently reduce the size of the semiconductor device. 
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a 
semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor chip having a top surface 
and a bottom surface, a plurality of leads arranged under the bottom 
surface of the semiconductor chip, where the leads have first ends 
electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip and second ends which form 
external terminals and each of the external terminals have a bottom 
surface, and a package encapsulating the semiconductor chip and the leads 
so that the bottom surface of each of the external terminals is exposed at 
a bottom surface of the package and remaining portions of the leads are 
embedded within the package, where the package has a size which is 
approximately the same as that of the semiconductor chip in a plan view 
viewed from above the top surface of the semiconductor chip. According to 
the semiconductor device of the present invention, it is possible to 
considerably reduce the size of the semiconductor device to approximately 
the same size as the semiconductor chip in the plan view. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of 
producing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of (a) press-working 
a lead frame and forming a plurality of leads which extend inwards to a 
predetermined position where a semiconductor chip is to be mounted, (b) 
mounting the semiconductor chip at the predetermined position on a stage, 
where the steps (a) and (b) are carried out in an arbitrary order, (c) 
wire-bonding first ends of the leads to the semiconductor chip via wires, 
and (d) encapsulating the semiconductor chip and the leads by a resin 
package so that a bottom surface of the leads is exposed at second end at 
a bottom surface of the resin package. According to the method of 
producing the semiconductor device of the present invention, it is 
possible to produce the semiconductor device which is considerably small 
compared to the conventional semiconductor device using simple processes. 
In addition, since the leads are embedded within the resin package and the 
second ends (external terminals) of the leads are exposed at the bottom 
surface of the resin package, it is possible to employ the transfer mold 
technique as the package forming technique. As a result, it is possible to 
form the resin package with ease and improve the production yield and also 
reduce the production cost. 
A second particular object of the present invention is to provide a 
semiconductor device and a semiconductor device mounting structure, which 
can relieve a stress which is generated due to a difference between 
coefficients of linear thermal expansion of the semiconductor device and a 
circuit substrate, so as to improve the mounting characteristic and 
reliability of the semiconductor device when mounting the semiconductor 
device on the circuit substrate. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
device comprising a semiconductor chip, a package encapsulating the 
semiconductor chip, the package having a wall surface, a plurality of 
leads each having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 
and another end exposed at the wall surface of the package to form an 
external terminal, each of the leads excluding the external terminal being 
encapsulated within the package, and a lead projection provided on the 
external terminal of the lead, the lead projection projecting from the 
wall surface of the package. According to the semiconductor device of the 
present invention, it is possible to increase a thickness of a soft 
bonding material which is arranged on the external terminal when mounting 
the semiconductor device on a circuit substrate, as compared to the 
conventional semiconductor device having no lead projection, and a stress 
when generated can be satisfactorily absorbed by the soft bonding material 
having the increased thickness, thereby preventing a crack from being 
formed in the package. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
device comprising a semiconductor chip, a package encapsulating the 
semiconductor chip, the package having a wall surface, a plurality of 
leads each having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 
and another end exposed at the wall surface of the package to form an 
external terminal, each of the leads excluding the external terminal being 
encapsulated within the package, and a package projection provided on the 
wall surface of the package where the external terminal of the lead is 
exposed, the package projection projecting with respect to the external 
terminal. According to the semiconductor device of the present invention, 
it is possible to increase a thickness of a soft bonding material which is 
arranged on the external terminal when mounting the semiconductor device 
on a circuit substrate, as compared to the conventional semiconductor 
device having no lead projection, and a stress when generated can be 
satisfactorily absorbed by the soft bonding material having the increased 
thickness, thereby preventing a crack from being formed in the package. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
device comprising a semiconductor chip, a package encapsulating the 
semiconductor chip, the package having a wall surface, a plurality of 
leads each having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 
and another end exposed at the wall surface of the package to form an 
external terminal, each of the leads excluding the external terminal being 
encapsulated within the package, and a lead recess provided on the 
external terminal of the lead, the lead recess being caved in from the 
wall surface of the package. According to the semiconductor device of the 
present invention, it is possible to increase a thickness of a soft 
bonding material which is arranged on the external terminal when mounting 
the semiconductor device on a circuit substrate, as compared to the 
conventional semiconductor device having no lead recess, and a stress when 
generated can be satisfactorily absorbed by the soft bonding material 
having the increased thickness, thereby preventing a crack from being 
formed in the package. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
device mounting structure for mounting a semiconductor device on a surface 
of a circuit substrate using a soft bonding material, the semiconductor 
device comprising a semiconductor chip, a package encapsulating the 
semiconductor chip and having a wall surface, and a plurality of leads 
each having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor chip and 
another end exposed at the wall surface of the package to form an external 
terminal, each of the leads excluding the external terminal being 
encapsulated within the package, where the semiconductor device mounting 
structure comprises a spacer supporting the semiconductor device on the 
circuit substrate in a state where the semiconductor device is separated 
from the surface of the circuit substrate, a gap being formed between the 
semiconductor device and the circuit substrate, and a soft bonding 
material arranged at the gap and bonding the semiconductor device and the 
circuit substrate. According to the semiconductor device mounting 
structure of the present invention, it is possible to increase a thickness 
of a soft bonding material which is arranged on the external terminal when 
mounting the semiconductor device on the circuit substrate, as compared to 
the conventional semiconductor device mounting structure having no spacer, 
and a stress when generated can be satisfactorily absorbed by the soft 
bonding material having the increased thickness, thereby preventing a 
crack from being formed in the package. As a result, the mounting 
characteristic and reliability of the semiconductor device is improved 
when mounting the semiconductor device on the circuit substrate. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
device mounting structure for mounting a semiconductor device on a surface 
of a circuit substrate using a soft bonding material, the semiconductor 
device comprising a semiconductor chip, a package encapsulating the 
semiconductor chip and having a wall surface, and a plurality of leads 
each having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor chip and 
another end exposed at the wall surface of the package to form an external 
terminal, each of the leads excluding the external terminal being 
encapsulated within the package, the soft bonding material being arranged 
on the external terminal of on connection electrodes provided on the 
circuit substrate, where the semiconductor device mounting structure 
comprises a bonding portion bonding the external terminal of the 
semiconductor device to the connection electrode of the circuit substrate 
at a first location of the semiconductor device, and a bonding portion 
bonding the external terminal of the semiconductor device to the 
connection electrode of the circuit substrate at a second location of the 
semiconductor device different from the first location, where a distance 
between the semiconductor device and the circuit substrate at the first 
location is greater than that at the second location, and an amount of 
soft bonding material forming the first bonding portion is greater than an 
amount of soft bonding material forming the second bonding portion. 
According to the semiconductor device mounting structure of the present 
invention, it is possible to positively bond and connect the semiconductor 
device and the circuit substrate even if a warp is generated in the 
semiconductor device. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
device comprising a semiconductor chip, a package encapsulating the 
semiconductor chip, the package having a wall surface, a plurality of 
leads each having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 
and another end exposed at the wall surface of the package to form an 
external terminal, each of the leads excluding the external terminal being 
encapsulated within the package, and a lead projection provided on the 
external terminal of the lead, the lead projection projecting from the 
wall surface of the package and having a width which is smaller at a tip 
end portion of the lead projection than at the wall surface of the 
package. According to the semiconductor device of the present invention, 
it is possible to increase an area of the external terminal that is 
plated, thereby improving the wetting characteristic with respect to 
solder and also improving the reliability when bonding the semiconductor 
device and the circuit substrate. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
device comprising a semiconductor chip, a package encapsulating the 
semiconductor chip, the package having a wall surface, a plurality of 
leads each having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 
and another end exposed at the wall surface of the package to form an 
external terminal, each of the leads excluding the external terminal being 
encapsulated within the package, and a lead projection provided on the 
external terminal of the lead, the lead projection projecting from the 
wall surface of the package and having a thickness which is smaller at a 
tip end portion of the lead projection than at the wall surface of the 
package. According to the semiconductor device of the present invention, 
it is possible to increase an area of the external terminal that is 
plated, thereby improving the wetting characteristic with respect to 
solder and also improving the reliability when bonding the semiconductor 
device and the circuit substrate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
A description will be given of a first aspect of the present invention. 
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the size of a 
semiconductor device can be sufficiently reduced. 
A description will be given of a first embodiment of the semiconductor 
device according to the present invention, by referring to FIGS. 3A and 
3B. FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view of the first embodiment, and FIG. 
3B shows a perspective view of the first embodiment. 
A semiconductor device 10 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a semiconductor 
chip 11 which is mounted on a stage 12. For example, this semiconductor 
chip 11 is a memory chip which is relatively large. In addition, electrode 
pads 13 of the semiconductor chip 11 are arranged at the central part on 
the top surface of the semiconductor chip 11 along the longitudinal 
direction thereof, as may be seen from FIG. 5A which will be described 
later. 
One end 14a of each lead 14 is connected to the electrode pad 13 of the 
semiconductor chip 11 via a wire 15. In addition, each lead 14 is bent 
with respect to a direction H which is taken along the height of the 
semiconductor device 10, and has an approximate Z-shape when view from the 
side as shown in FIG. 3A. Accordingly, each lead 14 first extends 
horizontally from the end 14a in FIG. 13A, thereafter extends down, and 
then extends horizontally again at the other end. As will be described 
later, the end of the lead 14 opposite to the end 14a forms an external 
terminal 16. 
A resin package 17 encapsulates the semiconductor chip 11, the wires 15 and 
the plurality of leads 14. In the plan view, this package 17 has a size 
which is approximately the same as (or slightly larger than) the area of 
the semiconductor chip 11. In other words, the package 17 is considerably 
small compared to the conventional package. 
A bottom portion 16a and an end portion 16b of the external terminal 16 of 
the lead 14 are exposed at a bottom surface 17a of the package 17. Hence, 
the semiconductor device 10 is mounted on a circuit substrate 18 which is 
shown in FIG. 4 by soldering the external terminals 16 to the circuit 
substrate 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the external terminal 16 slightly 
projects from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17. Accordingly, a gap 
h is formed between the top surface of the circuit substrate 18 and the 
bottom surface 17a of the package 17, so as to improve the soldering 
characteristics. For example, the external terminal 16 can be made to 
project from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17 by forming a groove 
in the mold at a position corresponding to the external terminal 16 when 
carrying out a resin molding to form the package 17. In other words, the 
external terminal 16 can be made to project from the bottom surface 17a of 
the package 17 with relative ease. 
Of course, it is not essential to make the external terminal 16 project a 
distance h from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17. That is, h may 
be equal to 0 so that the bottom surface 17a of the package 17 may make 
contact with the top surface of the circuit substrate 18. Therefore, the 
distance h may be set to satisfy a relationship h.ltoreq.t, where t 
denotes the thickness of the lead 14. 
Next, a description will be given of the construction of the semiconductor 
device 10 by referring again to FIG. 3A. In the plan view of the 
semiconductor device 10, the leads 14 and the semiconductor chip 11 
overlap each other within the package 17. 
If a length of each lead 14 in a horizontal direction G is denoted by L1, 
an amount of overlap L2 between the lead 14 and the semiconductor chip 11 
can be described by L2.apprxeq.2.multidot.L1. Since the area of the 
package 17 and the area of the semiconductor chip 11 in the plan view are 
approximately the same, the length of the semiconductor device 10 in the 
horizontal direction G becomes L3 if a length of the semiconductor chip 11 
is denoted by L3. 
On the other hand, according to the conventional semiconductor device 1 
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a length L4 of the package 3 is approximately a 
sum of the length L3 of the semiconductor chip 11, the length L1 of the 
leads 4 on one side, and the length of the leads 4 on the other side of 
the semiconductor chip 2. In other words, L4=L3+2.multidot.L1. 
Therefore, it may be seen that the size of the semiconductor device 10 of 
this embodiment can be reduced by the overlap L2 compared to the size of 
the conventional semiconductor device 1. In addition, because the 
semiconductor device 10 is considerably small compared to the conventional 
semiconductor device 1, it is possible to improve the mounting efficiency 
of the semiconductor device 10 with respect to the circuit substrate 18, 
and thereby reduce the size and improve the performance of the equipments 
which are mounted with the semiconductor device 10. 
Next, a description will be given of an embodiment of a method of producing 
the semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring 
to FIGS. 5 through 9. This embodiment of the method produces the 
semiconductor device 10 described above. 
FIG. 5A shows a plan view of a lead frame 25 having stages 12 on which the 
semiconductor chip 11 is mounted, and FIG. 5B shows a side view of this 
lead frame 25. Frame portions 25a, the stages 12, and support bars 26 for 
supporting the stages 12 on the frame portions 25a shown in FIG. 5A are 
formed by press-working, stamping or etching processes. The support bar 26 
has a stepped portion, so that the stage 12 is located at a position lower 
than that of the frame portion 25a, as shown in FIG. 5B. 
After the lead frame 25 is formed, the semiconductor chip 11 is die-bonded 
on the stage 12. FIG. 6 shows the lead frame 25 which is mounted with the 
semiconductor chips 11. As described above, the electrode pads 13 of the 
semiconductor chip 11 are arranged at the central portion on the top 
surface of the semiconductor chip 11. 
On the other hand, FIG. 7A shows a plan view of a lead frame 27 for forming 
the leads 14, and FIG. 7B shows a side view of this lead frame 27. The 
lead frame 27 is formed independently of the lead frame 25, by carrying 
out press-working, punching or etching processes. Frame portions 27a and a 
plurality of leads 14 are formed on the lead frame 27, and the leads 14 
extend towards the inside for a predetermined length. In addition, the 
leads 14 are located at a position lower than that of the frame portion 
27a. The leads 14 may be made to extend for this predetermined length by 
merely modifying the mold which is used for the press-working, and thus, 
the above described leads 14 can be formed with ease. 
FIGS. 8A and 8B respectively are a plan view and a side view showing the 
lead frame 25 and the lead frame 27 in an overlapping stage. More 
particularly, the lead frame 27 is placed on top of the lead frame 25. The 
lead frames 25 and 27 can be positioned with ease by matching positioning 
holes 25b and 27b of the respective lead frames 25 and 27. 
As described above, the leads 14 of the lead frame 27 extend to the inside 
for the predetermined length and are lower than the frame portions 27a by 
a predetermined amount. Accordingly, in the overlapping stage of the lead 
frames 25 and 27, the leads 14 extend to the vicinities of the electrode 
pads of the semiconductor chip 11 which is mounted on the lead frame 25. 
That is, the leads 14 overlap the semiconductor chip 11 in the plan view. 
After the lead frames 25 and 27 are positioned in the overlapping stage, 
the ends 14a of the leads and the electrode pads 13 of the semiconductor 
chip 11 are wire-bonded. As a result, the leads 14 and the electrode pads 
13 are electrically connected via the wires 15. 
When the wire-bonding process ends, the lead frames 25 and 27 are loaded 
into a mold which is used to form the package 17 by a resin molding 
process. When molding this package 17, it is possible to employ the 
transfer mold technique as the package forming method because the external 
leads 16 of the leads 14 are exposed to the outside. In other words, the 
leads 14 are embedded within the package 17 and only the external 
terminals 16 are exposed at the bottom surface of the package 17. For this 
reason, it is possible to form the package 17 with ease using the mold, 
and the production cost can be reduced because of the improved production 
yield. 
After the package 17 is formed by the resin molding process, unwanted 
portions of the lead frames 25 and 27 are cut and removed, thereby 
completing the semiconductor device 10 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. 
Hence, this embodiment of the method is characterized by the steps of (i) 
overlapping the lead frames 25 and 27, and (ii) extending the leads of the 
lead frame 27 to the inside for the predetermined length. The step (i) 
itself is already employed in a LOC (Lead On Chip) type semiconductor 
device production process, and the step (ii) can be realized by modifying 
the mold which is used when forming the lead frame 27. Therefore, it is 
possible to produce the semiconductor device 10 without greatly modifying 
the conventional semiconductor device production process. 
Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A shows a cross section of the second embodiment of 
the semiconductor device, and FIG. 9B shows a perspective view of the 
second embodiment of the semiconductor device. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, those 
parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 3A and 3B 
are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof 
will be omitted. 
A semiconductor device 30 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B has the stage 12 which 
is exposed at a top portion of a package 31, so as to improve the heat 
radiation efficiency of the heat which is generated from the semiconductor 
chip 11 which is mounted on the stage 12. This semiconductor device 30 can 
easily be produced by carrying out the resin molding process in a stage 
where the stage 12 makes direct contact with a cavity of the mold which is 
used for the resin molding. 
The heat which is generated from the semiconductor chip 11 is efficiently 
radiated outside the package 30 via the stage 12 which is exposed at the 
top portion of the package 31. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the 
heat radiation efficiency of the semiconductor chip 11. In addition, 
unlike the semiconductor device 10 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, no resin 
exists above the stage 12, and the thickness of the semiconductor device 
30 can be reduced by a corresponding amount. 
FIG. 10A shows a first modification of the second embodiment of the 
semiconductor device. In FIG. 10A, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIGS. 9A and 9B are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In this first modification, the semiconductor chip 11 is exposed at the top 
portion of the package 31 in a LOC type semiconductor device 35, so as to 
improve the heat radiation efficiency similarly to the semiconductor 
device 30 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. 
In the first and second embodiments, the resin of the package 17 or 31 
fills the space between the semiconductor chip 11 and the end portions 14a 
of the leads 14. But in this first modification, the tip portions 14a of 
the leads 14 are adhered on the semiconductor chip 11 via adhesive tapes 
21. Because the top surface of the semiconductor chip 11 is directly 
exposed at the top portion of the package 31, it is possible to further 
improve the heat radiation efficient and further reduce the thickness of 
the semiconductor device 35 compared to the semiconductor device 30. 
In this first modification, a thickness t1 of the lead 14 is approximately 
0.018 .mu.m to 0.150 .mu.m, a distance t2 between the top surface of the 
lead 14 and the bottom surface of the semiconductor chip 11 is 
approximately 0.100 .mu.m to 200 .mu.m, and a thickness t3 of the 
semiconductor chip 11 is approximately 200 .mu.m to 400 .mu.m. 
Accordingly, a thickness T of the semiconductor device 35 is approximately 
200.118 .mu.m if the minimum values for t1, t2 and t3 are used. Hence, it 
can be seen that the thickness T of the semiconductor device 35 is 
extremely small. 
FIG. 10B shows a second modification of the second embodiment of the 
semiconductor device. In FIG. 10B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIG. 10A are designated by the same reference 
numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In this second modification, a length d1 of the tip portion 14a of the lead 
14 and a length d2 of the adhesive tape 21 satisfy a relationship 
d2.ltoreq.d1. In other words, the adhesive tape 21 does not need to make 
contact with the tip end portion 14a of the lead 14 for the entire length 
of the tip end portion 14a. However, the length d2 is preferably greater 
than or equal to d1/2 so that the tip end portions 14a of the leads 14 are 
positively adhered to the semiconductor chip 11. For example, the 
thickness of the adhesive tape 21 is approximately 50 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m, 
and the thickness of the lead 14 is approximately 35 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m. 
FIG. 10C shows a third modification of the second embodiment of the 
semiconductor device. In FIG. 10C, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIG. 10A are designated by the same reference 
numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In this third modification, the external terminals 16 do not extend outside 
the package 31 in the horizontal direction in FIG. 10C. In other words, 
the end of the external terminal 16 and the side surface of the package 31 
may match as shown on the left hand side of FIG. 10C or, the end of the 
external terminal 16 may be located on the inner side of the side surface 
of the package 31 as shown on the right hand side of FIG. 10C. In the 
latter case, the package 31 covers the side of the tip end of the external 
terminal 16. 
FIG. 11 shows a fourth modification of the second embodiment of the 
semiconductor device. In FIG. 11, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIGS. 9A and 9B are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In this fourth modification, the size of the resin package 31 and the size 
of the semiconductor chip 11 of a semiconductor device 20 in a plan view 
are made the same as shown in FIG. 11. According to this fourth 
modification, the size of the semiconductor device 20 in the plan view can 
be minimized. 
Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIGS. 12A and 12B. FIG. 12A shows a partial cross section of the third 
embodiment, and FIG. 12B shows a bottom view of the third embodiment. In 
FIGS. 12A and 12B, those parts which are the same as those corresponding 
parts in FIGS. 9A and 9B are designated by the same reference numerals, 
and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In this embodiment, a semiconductor device 40 is also the LOC type. The top 
surface of the semiconductor device 11 is exposed at the top portion of 
the package 31 as shown in FIG. 12A, similarly to the semiconductor device 
20 shown in FIG. 11, so as to improve the heat radiation efficiency. In 
addition, a radiation frame 41 is provided under the semiconductor chip 
11, and radiator portions 42 are provided at ends of the radiation frame 
41. The radiator portions 42 are exposed at a bottom surface 31a of the 
package 31 as shown in FIG. 12B. The semiconductor chip 11 and the 
radiation frame 41 are connected via an adhesive tape 21 which is made of 
a material having a satisfactory thermal conduction, so that the heat 
generated from the semiconductor chip 11 is transferred to the radiation 
frame 41 via the adhesive tape 21 and radiated to the outside via the 
radiator portions 42. 
According to this semiconductor device 40, the heat which is generated from 
the semiconductor chip 11 is not only radiated from the top surface of the 
semiconductor chip 11 which is exposed at the top portion of the package 
31, but is also radiated from the bottom surface 31a of the package 31. As 
a result, the effective heat radiation area is increased, thereby making 
it possible to even further improve the heat radiation efficiency. 
FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment of the semiconductor device according to 
the present invention. In this embodiment, the top surfaces of the 
semiconductor chips 11 or the top surfaces of the stages 12 are exposed at 
the top portion of the package 31, similarly to the semiconductor devices 
30, 35 and 40 described above. If the top surface of the semiconductor 
chip 11 is exposed, a metal film made of Au or the like is formed on this 
exposed surface by sputtering, for example. On the other hand, if the top 
surface of the stage 12 is exposed, a metal film made of Au, Ag or the 
like or a solder layer is plated on this exposed surface. As a result, the 
conductor film formed on the exposed surface of the semiconductor chip 11 
or stage 12 can be used as an electrical terminal 46. The potential of the 
semiconductor chip 11 is drawn out at the terminal 46. 
According to this semiconductor device 46, the terminals 46 can be 
connected via jumper lines 47 or the like, so as to facilitate the wiring 
of the semiconductor devices 45 by enabling the wiring above the 
semiconductor devices 45 in addition to the wiring printed on a circuit 
substrate 48 on which the semiconductor devices 46 are mounted. In other 
words, the wiring of the semiconductor devices 46 can be designed with a 
larger degree of freedom, thereby improving the mounting efficiency. 
Next, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIGS. 14A through 14C. FIG. 14A shows a cross sectional view of a part of 
this embodiment, FIG. 14B is a perspective view for explaining the 
mounting of this embodiment on a circuit substrate, and FIG. 14C is a 
cross sectional view of a part of this embodiment for explaining the 
mounting of this embodiment. In FIGS. 14A through 14C, those parts which 
are the same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 9A and 9B are 
designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will 
be omitted. 
According to this embodiment, a semiconductor device 50 has the external 
terminals 16 with a processed bottom surface 16a. In other word, dimples 
similar to those formed on a golf ball are formed on the bottom surface 
16a of the external terminal 16 of the lead 14 exposed outside the package 
31. In addition, a conductive adhesive agent 51 which has a small 
elasticity is provided on the bottom surface 16a. Because the surface area 
of the external terminal 16 is increased by the dimples which are formed 
on the bottom surface 16a of the external terminal 16, the conductive 
adhesive agent 51 is positively adhered on the external terminal 16. 
The leads 14 are made of a metal, while the circuit substrate 48 is 
generally made of a material such as epoxy-glass. Hence, the coefficients 
of thermal expansion of the materials forming the leads 14 and the circuit 
substrate 48 are different. As a result, when the semiconductor device 50 
is mounted on the circuit substrate 48 and heated for soldering, a stress 
is generated due to the difference between the coefficients of thermal 
expansion. This stress may cause damage to the connecting portions and 
cause an electrical contact failure. 
For this reason, the conductive adhesive agent 51 is provided on the bottom 
surface 16a of the external terminal 16 so as to prevent the stress from 
being generated due to the difference between the coefficients of thermal 
expansion of the leads 14 and the circuit substrate 48. In other words, 
the conductive adhesive agent 51 has a small elasticity but is thermally 
plastic, so that the difference between the thermal expansions of the 
external terminals 16 and the circuit substrate 48 can be absorbed by the 
conductive adhesive agent 51. 
Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to positively 
prevent damage to the semiconductor device 50 by preventing the stress 
from being generated in the semiconductor device 50 or the circuit 
substrate 48. In addition, when the semiconductor device 50 is shipped or 
forwarded, the conductive adhesive agent 51 is already provided on the 
external terminals 16. Hence, the user (or customer) does not need to 
carry out the usual soldering in order to mount the semiconductor device 
50 on the circuit board 48. Hence, the mounting process carried out by the 
user is simplified, and the mounting cost is greatly reduced because no 
soldering equipment is necessary for the mounting process. 
Of course, it is not essential that the conductive adhesive agent 51 is 
provided on the external terminal 16. The conductive adhesive agent 51 may 
be provided on each electrode pad 52 of the circuit substrate 48 shown in 
FIG. 14B on which the semiconductor device 50 is mounted. In this case, 
the external terminal 16 is adhered on the conductive adhesive agent 51 
which is provided on the electrode pad 52, and a reflow process is carried 
out to thermally harden the conductive adhesive agent 51. 
FIG. 14C shows a state where the external terminal 16 is connected to the 
electrode pad 52 of the circuit substrate 48 via the conductive adhesive 
agent 51 which is provided beforehand on the external terminal 16 as shown 
in FIG. 14A or on the electrode pad 52 shown in FIG. 14B. 
Next, a description will be given of a sixth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIGS. 15A and 15B. FIG. 15A shows a perspective view of the sixth 
embodiment, and FIG. 15B shows a bottom view of the sixth embodiment. In 
FIGS. 15A and 15B, those parts which are the same as those corresponding 
parts in FIGS. 9A and 9B are designated by the same reference numerals, 
and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the so-called QFP 
(Quad Flat Package) type semiconductor device. In a semiconductor device 
55 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the leads 14 surround the semiconductor 
chip 11. In addition, a radiation frame 56 is provided with radiator fins. 
Next, a description will be given of a seventh embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIGS. 16A and 16B. FIG. 16A shows a cross section of a part of this 
seventh embodiment, and FIG. 16B shows a bottom view of a part of this 
seventh embodiment. In FIGS. 16A and 16B, those parts which are the same 
as those corresponding parts in FIG. 10A are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 
In this embodiment, a bottom surface 16a of the external terminal 16 of at 
least some of the leads 14 has dimples 16-1 formed thereon. 
The conventional semiconductor device having the leads which extend 
outwards from the package can absorb to a certain extent the difference 
between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the leads and the circuit 
substrate on which the semiconductor device is mounted, because the 
outwardly extending leads are flexible and are shaped to absorb the 
difference. However, if the external terminals 16 do not extend outwardly 
of the package 31 and is substantially embedded within the package 31, it 
is desirable to take some kind of measure to increase the strength of the 
semiconductor device with respect to the stress which will be generated by 
the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the leads 
14 and the circuit substrate 48 on which the semiconductor device is 
mounted. Hence, this embodiment increases the surface area of the bottom 
surface 16a of the external terminal 16 to increase the strength. In 
addition to increasing the strength, it is possible to facilitate the 
coating of an adhesive agent on the external terminal 16, such as when 
applying the conductive adhesive agent 51 as described above in 
conjunction with FIGS. 14A through 14C. 
Next, a description will be given of an eighth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIGS. 17A and 17B. FIG. 17A shows a cross section of a part of this eighth 
embodiment, and FIG. 17B shows a bottom view of a part of this eighth 
embodiment. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIG. 10A are designated by the same reference 
numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 
In this embodiment, a bottom surface 16a of the external terminal 16 of at 
least some of the leads 14 has grooves 16-2 formed thereon. The effects of 
this embodiment are basically the same as those of the seventh embodiment. 
Next, a description will be given of a ninth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIG. 18. FIG. 18 shows a cross section of a part of this ninth embodiment. 
In FIG. 18, those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in 
FIG. 10A are designated by the same reference numerals, and description 
thereof will be omitted. 
In this embodiment, both a top surface 16f and a bottom surface 16a of the 
external terminal 16 of at least some of the leads 14 have grooves 16-2 
formed thereon. The effects of this embodiment are basically the same as 
those of the seventh embodiment. 
Next, a description will hereinafter be given of a second aspect of the 
present invention. According to the second aspect of the present 
invention, it is possible to relieve a stress which is generated due to a 
difference between coefficients of linear thermal expansion of the 
semiconductor device and the circuit substrate, thereby improving the 
mounting characteristic and reliability of the semiconductor device when 
mounting the semiconductor device on the circuit substrate. 
A description will be given of an example of a conventional semiconductor 
device mounting structure. 
The semiconductor device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a circuit 
substrate 8 which is made of a material different from that of the 
semiconductor device 1, as shown in FIG. 19, for example. In FIG. 19, 
those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 1 and 
2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof 
will be omitted. For this reason, coefficients of linear thermal expansion 
are different between the semiconductor device 1 and the circuit substrate 
8. In addition, a thermal process such as a solder reflow process is 
carried out when mounting the semiconductor device 1 on the circuit 
substrate 8, and as shown in FIG. 19, the external terminals 6 are 
connected to the circuit substrate 8 using a solder 9. Accordingly, when 
the thermal process is carried out when mounting the semiconductor device 
1 on the circuit substrate 8, stress is generated between the external 
terminals 6 and the circuit substrate 8 due to the above described 
difference between the coefficients of linear thermal expansion. 
This stress did not become a problem in the case of a general and 
conventional package structure having relatively long leads extending 
outwardly of the package, such as a small outline package (SOP) and a quad 
flat package (QFP). According to such package structures having the 
relatively long leads extending outwardly of the package, the metal leads 
function as springs, and even if the stress is generated due to the 
difference between the coefficients of linear thermal expansions of the 
package and the circuit substrate, the leads resiliently deform and absorb 
the stress. 
On the other hand, in the case of the semiconductor device 1 shown in FIGS. 
1, 2 and 19, the portions of the leads 4 excluding the external terminals 
6 are encapsulated within the package 3, and the stress cannot be absorbed 
by the resilient deformation of the leads 4. Hence, the stress which is 
generated due to the difference between the coefficients of linear thermal 
expansion of the semiconductor device 1 and the circuit substrate 8 is 
applied particularly at the connecting portions between the semiconductor 
device 1 and the circuit substrate 8. as result, in a worst case, the 
solder 9 arranged at the connecting portions are damaged, and there is a 
possibility of cracks being formed in the package 3. 
FIG. 20 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the external 
terminal 6 of the semiconductor device 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 19. In 
addition, FIGS. 21A and 21B respectively are cross sectional views of the 
semiconductor device 1 taken along a line XX--XX in FIG. 20, showing the 
connecting portion of the solder 9 on an enlarged scale. 
Normally, when producing the resin encapsulated type semiconductor device 1 
shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 19, 20, 21A and 21B, a surface processing such as a 
plating process is carried out with respect to a lead frame after carrying 
out a resin encapsulation process, and then, a process such as a 
press-working is carried out to form the leads. By this press-working, the 
lead frame material becomes exposed at cut surfaces, and no surface 
processing is carried out with respect to these cut surfaces. 
For this reason, when connecting the semiconductor device 1 on the circuit 
substrate 8 by use of the solder 9, the wetting characteristic of the 
solder 9 deteriorates at portions where the plating process has not been 
carried out. As shown in FIG. 21A, the solder 9 does not adhere on a cut 
surface 6a of the external terminal 6. On the other hand, in a desirable 
semiconductor device mounting structure, the solder 9 should cover all of 
the exposed portions of the external terminal 6 exposed from the package 
3, as shown in FIG. 21B. 
The mounting strength with which the semiconductor device 1 is mounted on 
the circuit substrate 8 is naturally proportional to the area over which 
the solder 9 contacts the external terminal 6. Hence, if unplated portions 
of the external terminal 6 increases, the mounting strength between the 
external terminal 6 and the circuit substrate 8 deteriorates. 
Therefore, it is also desirable to improve the mounting strength and 
reliability of the semiconductor device with respect to the circuit 
substrate, in addition to reducing both the size and cost of the 
semiconductor device. 
Next, a description will be given of embodiments in which the stress 
generated due to the difference between the coefficients of linear thermal 
expansion of the semiconductor device and the circuit substrate is 
relieved, so as to improve the mounting strength and the reliability of 
the semiconductor device. 
A description will be given of a tenth embodiment of the semiconductor 
device according to the present invention, by referring to FIGS. 22 
through 24. FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view showing the tenth embodiment 
of the semiconductor device according to the present invention. FIG. 23 is 
a perspective view showing the external appearance of the tenth embodiment 
of the semiconductor device. In addition, FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the 
tenth embodiment of the semiconductor device. In FIGS. 22 through 24, 
those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 3A 
and 3B are designated by the same reference numerals. 
A semiconductor device 110 shown in FIG. 22 includes a semiconductor chip 
11 which is mounted on a stage 12. For example, this semiconductor chip 11 
is a memory chip which is relatively large. In addition, electrode pads 13 
of the semiconductor chip 11 are arranged at the central part on the top 
surface of the semiconductor chip 11 along the longitudinal direction 
thereof. 
One end 14a of each of a plurality of leads 14 is connected to the 
electrode pad 13 of the semiconductor chip 11 via a wire 15. In addition, 
each lead 14 is bent with respect to a direction H which is taken along 
the height of the semiconductor device 110, and has an approximate Z-shape 
when viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 22. Accordingly, each lead 14 
first extends horizontally from the end 14a in FIG. 22, thereafter extends 
down, and then extends horizontally again at the other end. As will be 
described later, the end of the lead 14 opposite to the end 14a forms an 
external terminal 16. 
A resin package 17 encapsulates the semiconductor chip 11, the wires 15 and 
the plurality of leads 14. In the plan view, this package 17 has a size 
which is approximately the same as or, slightly larger than, the area of 
the semiconductor chip 11. In other words, the package 17 is considerably 
small compared to the conventional package. 
A bottom portion (or bottom surface) 16a of the external terminal 16 of the 
lead 14 is exposed at a bottom surface 17a of the package 17. In addition, 
a lead projection 19 is formed on the external terminal 16 so that the 
lead projection 19 projects from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17. 
Hence, the semiconductor device 110 is mounted on a circuit substrate 18 
which is shown in FIG. 25B by soldering the external terminals 16 having 
the lead projections 19 to the circuit substrate 18. 
As a method of exposing the bottom portion 16a of the external terminal 16 
with respect to the bottom surface 17a of the package 17, it is for 
example possible to contact the external terminal 16 directly to a die 
which is used to mold the resin to form the package 17, so that the bottom 
portion 16a will not be covered by the resin. Hence, it is relatively easy 
to expose the bottom portion 16a with respect to the bottom surface 17a of 
the package 17. 
In addition, as a method of making the lead projection 19 project from the 
bottom surface 17a of the package 17, it is for example possible to 
provide the lead 14 so that a portion of the lead 14 projects sidewards 
from the package 17 in a state where the package 17 is formed, and to bend 
the sidewardly projecting portion of the lead 14 to form the lead 
projection 19. 
When the lead projection 19 is formed by such a method, the lead projection 
19 is formed integrally on the lead 14. As a result, there is no need to 
provide an independent part to form the lead projection 19, and the cost 
of the semiconductor device 110 can be reduced. Furthermore, the die which 
is used to form the package 17 may be similar to that used to form the 
conventional semiconductor device, and the cost of the die can be reduced. 
Next, a description will be given of the structural features of the 
semiconductor device 110. As shown in FIG. 22, approximately all portions 
of the plurality of leads 14 within the package 17 overlap the 
semiconductor chip 11 when viewed from the top of the semiconductor device 
110 in a vertical direction H taken along the height of the semiconductor 
device 110. In other words, the leads 14 and the semiconductor chip 11 
overlap within the package 17 in the plan view of the semiconductor device 
110. 
If a length of each lead 14 in a horizontal direction G is denoted by L1, 
an amount of overlap L2 between the lead 14 and the semiconductor chip 11 
can be described by L2.apprxeq.2.multidot.L1. In addition, since the area 
of the package 17 and the area of the semiconductor chip 11 in the plan 
view are approximately the same, the length of the semiconductor device 10 
in the horizontal direction G becomes approximately L3 if a length of the 
semiconductor chip 11 in the horizontal direction G is denoted by L3. 
On the other hand, according to the conventional semiconductor device 1 
shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a length L4 of the package 3 is approximately a 
sum of the length L3 of the semiconductor chip 11, the length L1 of the 
lead 4 on one side, and the length of the lead 4 on the other side of the 
semiconductor chip 2. In other words, L4=L3+2.multidot.L1. 
Therefore, it may be seen that the size of the semiconductor device 110 of 
this embodiment can be reduced by the overlap L2 compared to the size of 
the conventional semiconductor device 1. In addition, because the 
semiconductor device 110 is considerably small compared to the 
conventional semiconductor device 1, it is possible to improve the 
mounting efficiency of the semiconductor device 110 with respect to the 
circuit substrate 18, and thereby reduce the size and improve the 
performance of the equipments which are mounted with the semiconductor 
device 110. 
Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of a semiconductor 
device mounting structure for mounting the tenth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device on a circuit substrate, by referring to FIGS. 25A and 
25B. FIG. 25A is a cross sectional view showing a vicinity of the lead 
projection 19 of the semiconductor device 110 on an enlarged scale, and 
FIG. 25B is a cross sectional view showing the semiconductor device 110 in 
a state mounted on the circuit substrate 18. 
For the sake of convenience, FIGS. 25A and 25B show a case where the amount 
of overlap between the semiconductor chip 11 and the lead 14 is relatively 
small. In addition, the stage 12 of the semiconductor device 110 is 
exposed from the package 17 so that the heat radiation efficiency is 
improved. 
As described above, the semiconductor device 110 is provided with the lead 
projection 19 which is formed on the external terminal 16 and projects 
from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17. By providing this lead 
projection 19, it is possible to mount the semiconductor device 110 with 
respect to the circuit substrate 18 with a higher reliability compared to 
the case where the conventional semiconductor device 1 shown in FIGS. 19 
and 20 and not provided with the lead projection 19 is mounted on the 
circuit substrate 8. The reasons for the higher reliability will be 
described hereunder. 
In the case of the conventional semiconductor device 1 which is not 
provided with the lead projection 19, there is no means provided to 
support the semiconductor device 1 in a state separated from the circuit 
substrate 8. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 19, a thickness t of the 
solder 9 which is interposed between the semiconductor device 1 and the 
circuit substrate 8 and connects the two is small. 
On the other hand, according to the semiconductor device 110 of this 
embodiment, a projecting height H.sub.1 of the lead projection 19 is 
secured as a minimum height of a solder (soft bonding material) 120 by 
providing the lead projection 19 on the external terminal 16 so as to 
project from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17. For this reason, it 
is possible to increase the thickness of the solder 120 which is arranged 
on the external terminal 16 compared to the conventional semiconductor 
device mounting structure by providing the lead projection 19. 
The solder 120 has the function of bonding and connecting the semiconductor 
device 110 and the circuit substrate 18. In addition, since the solder 120 
is a soft bonding material, the solder 120 also has the function of a 
stress absorbing member which is interposed between the semiconductor 
device 110 and the circuit substrate 18. In other words, because the 
solder 120 is a soft metal material, the solder 120 can be deformed and 
absorb the thermal stress which is generated due to the difference between 
the coefficients of linear thermal expansion of the semiconductor device 
110 and the circuit substrate 18. 
Particularly since the melting point of the solder 120 is relatively low, 
the solder 120 softens during the thermal process when the thermal stress 
becomes a problem, and the softened solder 120 can effectively absorb the 
thermal stress generated during the thermal process. On the other hand, 
the solder 120 is used as a bonding material for bonding and connecting 
the semiconductor device 110 to the circuit substrate 18, and has a 
satisfactory bonding characteristic. Therefore, it is possible to relieve 
the thermal stress and to improve the bonding characteristic by using the 
solder 120 as the soft bonding material. 
The stress absorbing function of the solder 120 increases as the thickness 
of the solder 120 increases. Accordingly, by providing the lead projection 
19 and increasing the thickness of the solder 120 to increase the stress 
absorbing function of the solder 120, it is possible to positively absorb 
the thermal stress by the solder 120 even when the thermal stress is 
generated due to the difference between the coefficients of linear thermal 
expansion of the semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 18. As 
a result, it is possible to prevent damage to the connecting portions 
between the semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 18 and to 
prevent cracks from being formed in the package 17, and the mounting 
characteristic and the reliability of the semiconductor device 110 are 
improved. 
A description will be given of a relationship of a rate of defects 
generated at the time of mounting the semiconductor device 110 on the 
circuit substrate 18 and the projecting amount H.sub.1 of the lead 
projection 19 from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17, by referring 
to FIG. 26. In FIG. 26, the ordinate indicates the rate of detects 
(hereinafter referred to as the defective rate B) generated at the time of 
the mounting of the semiconductor device 110, and the abscissa indicates 
the projecting amount H.sub.1 of the lead projection 19 from the bottom 
surface 17a of the package 17. 
The defective rate B at the time of mounting the semiconductor device 110 
is defined as a ratio of a number n of semiconductor devices 110 having 
defective bonding with respect to a number N of semiconductor devices 110 
which have the lead projections 19 of identical height when the N 
semiconductor device 110 are mounted on the circuit substrates 18, that 
is, B=(n/N).multidot.100. In addition, the projecting amount H.sub.1 of 
the lead projection 19 from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17 is 
indicated using a thickness T of the lead 14 as a reference. 
As clearly seen from FIG. 26, the defective rate B rapidly decreases when 
H.sub.1 .gtoreq.0.4.multidot.T. The reason for this rapid decrease of the 
defective rate B is because the thickness of the solder 120 becomes large 
when the projecting amount H.sub.1 becomes greater than or equal to 
0.4.multidot.T, and the thermal stress generated between the semiconductor 
device 110 and the circuit substrate 18 is effectively absorbed by the 
solder 120. Hence, by setting the projecting amount H.sub.1 of the lead 
projection 19 from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17 to 
0.4.multidot.T or greater, the damage to the connecting portion between 
the semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 18 is prevented, 
and cracks are prevented from being formed in the package 17, thereby 
enabling bonding of the semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 
18 with a high reliability. 
On the other hand, when the projecting amount H.sub.1 of the lead 
projection 19 from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17 becomes too 
large, the length of the solder 120 in the direction H in FIG. 22 becomes 
too large and the mechanical strength deteriorates. Accordingly, the 
bonding strength between the semiconductor device 110 and the circuit 
substrate 18 deteriorates when the projecting amount H.sub.1 of the lead 
projection 19 is too large, and in such a case, the reliability at the 
time of mounting the semiconductor device 110 on the circuit substrate 18 
deteriorates. In order for the solder 120 to bond and connect the 
semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 18 with a high 
reliability, the projecting amount H.sub.1 of the lead projection 19 is 
desirably less than or equal to 3.0.multidot.T (H.sub.1 
.ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T. 
From the above results, it is desirable that the projecting amount H.sub.1 
of the lead projection 19 from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17 is 
set to satisfy the relation 0.4.multidot.T.ltoreq.H.sub.1 
.ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T. By setting the projecting amount H.sub.1 to 
satisfy this relationship, it becomes possible for the solder 120 to 
effectively absorb the thermal stress that is generated due to the 
difference between the coefficients of linear thermal expansion of the 
semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 18, and it also becomes 
possible to secure a predetermined bonding strength which is sufficient to 
bond and connect the semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 
18. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the mounting 
characteristic and the reliability of the semiconductor device 110. 
In the case of the semiconductor device 110 having the chip-size package 
structure, the thickness R of the lead 14 is approximately 50 .mu.m. 
Accordingly, when this value of the thickness T is substituted into the 
above described relation 0.4.multidot.T.ltoreq.H.sub.1 
.ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T, a relation 20.ltoreq.H.sub.1 .ltoreq.150 is 
obtained. In other words, the mounting characteristic and the reliability 
of the semiconductor device 110 can be improved by setting the projecting 
amount H.sub.1 of the lead projection 19 from the bottom surface 17a of 
the package 17 in a range of approximately 20 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m. 
Next, a description will be given of an eleventh embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention. FIGS. 27A and 27B 
respectively are cross sectional views for explaining the eleventh 
embodiment of the semiconductor device and a second embodiment of the 
semiconductor device mounting structure according to the present 
invention. More particularly, FIG. 27A is a cross sectional view showing a 
vicinity of a lead projection 19A of a semiconductor device 110A on an 
enlarged scale, and FIG. 27B is a cross sectional view showing the 
semiconductor device 110A in a state mounted on the circuit substrate 18. 
In FIGS. 27A and 27B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIGS. 25A and 25B are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In the tenth embodiment of the semiconductor device, the lead projection 19 
is formed by bending the portion of the lead 14 projecting from the 
package 17 of the semiconductor device 110 after the package 17 is formed. 
However, if an excessively large bending force is applied on the lead 14, 
there is a possibility of the external terminal 16 separating from the 
package 17. 
On the other hand, in this eleventh embodiment of the semiconductor device, 
the tip end portion of the external terminal 16 of the semiconductor 
device 110A is bent simultaneously as the forming of the lead 14, so as to 
form the lead projection 19A. According to this embodiment, the lead 
projection 19A is already formed when the package 17 is formed, and the 
external terminal 16 will not separate from the package 17. In addition, 
since the lead projection 19A is formed simultaneously as the processing 
of the lead 14, it is possible to easily and efficiently form the lead 
projection 19A. 
As in the case of the tenth embodiment, a projecting amount H.sub.1 of the 
lead projection 19A from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17 is also 
set to satisfy a condition 0.4.multidot.T.ltoreq.H.sub.1 
.ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T. where T denotes the thickness of the lead 14. More 
particularly, the projecting amount H.sub.1 of the lead projection 19A is 
desirably set in a range of approximately 20 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m. 
Accordingly, similarly to the case where the semiconductor device 110 
described above is mounted on the circuit substrate 18, it is possible to 
effectively absorb the thermal stress that is generated due to the 
difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the 
semiconductor device 110A and the circuit substrate 18 by the solder 120. 
In addition, the solder 120 can have the predetermined bonding strength 
which is sufficient to bond and connect the semiconductor device 110A and 
the circuit substrate 18. Hence, the mounting characteristic and the 
reliability of the semiconductor device 110A are improved. 
According to the method employed in this embodiment, the lead projection 
19A is formed before forming the package 17. For this reason, if the 
package 17 were formed by simply using a die similar to that used 
conventionally, the external terminal 16 and the lead projection 19A would 
be covered by the resin. 
In order to prevent the external terminal 16 and the lead projection 19A 
from being covered by the resin and to expose the exposed portion 16a of 
the external terminal 16 at the bottom surface 17a of the package 17, a 
recess is formed in the die at a position confronting the lead projection 
19A. When such a die is used, the lead projection 19A is located within 
the recess of the die when the resin is molded, and the exposed portion 
16a of the external terminal 16 makes direct contact with the die. 
Consequently, the exposed portion 16a and the lead projection 19A can be 
exposed from the package 17. 
Next, a description will be given of a twelfth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention. FIGS. 28A and 28B 
respectively are cross sectional views for explaining the twelfth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device and a third embodiment of the 
semiconductor device mounting structure according to the present 
invention. More particularly, FIG. 28A is a cross sectional view showing a 
vicinity of a lead projection 19B of a semiconductor device 110B on an 
enlarged scale, and FIG. 28B is a cross sectional view showing the 
semiconductor device 110B in a state mounted on the circuit substrate 18. 
In FIGS. 28A and 28B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIGS. 25A and 25B are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In the tenth and eleventh embodiments of the semiconductor device, the lead 
projections 19 and 19A are respectively formed by bending the portions of 
the leads 14 projecting from the packages 17 of the semiconductor devices 
110 and 110A, so that the lead projections 19 and 19A project from the 
bottom surfaces 17a of the packages 17. On the other hand, in this twelfth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device, a press-working is carried out 
with respect to the external terminal 16 so as to form the lead projection 
19B. 
By using such a method of forming the lead projection 19B, the lead 
projection 19B is already formed when the package 17 is formed, and the 
external lead 16 will not separate from the package 17, similarly as in 
the case of the eleventh embodiment. In addition, the lead projection 19B 
can be formed simultaneously as the processing of the lead 14, and it is 
possible to easily and efficiently form the lead projection 19B. 
As in the case of the eleventh embodiment, a projecting amount H.sub.1 of 
the lead projection 19B from the bottom surface 17a of the package 17 is 
also set to satisfy a condition 0.4.multidot.T.ltoreq.H.sub.1 
.ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T, where T denotes the thickness of the lead 14. More 
particularly, the projecting amount H.sub.1 of the lead projection 19B is 
desirably set in a range of approximately 20 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m. 
Accordingly, similarly to the case where the semiconductor devices 110 and 
110A described above are mounted on the circuit substrates 18, it is 
possible to effectively absorb the thermal stress that is generated due to 
the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the 
semiconductor device 110B and the circuit substrate 18 by the solder 120. 
In addition, the solder 120 can have the predetermined bonding strength 
which is sufficient to bond and connect the semiconductor device 110B and 
the circuit substrate 18. Hence, the mounting characteristic and the 
reliability of the semiconductor device 110B are improved. 
Next, a description will be given of a thirteenth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention. FIGS. 29A and 29B 
respectively are cross sectional views for explaining the thirteenth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device and a fourth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device mounting structure according to the present 
invention. More particularly, FIG. 29A is a cross sectional view showing a 
vicinity of the external terminal 16 of a semiconductor device 110C on an 
enlarged scale, and FIG. 29B is a cross sectional view showing the 
semiconductor device 110C in a state mounted on a circuit substrate 18A. 
In FIGS. 29A and 29B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIGS. 25A and 25B are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In the tenth through twelfth embodiments of the semiconductor device, the 
lead projections 19, 19A and 19B are formed on the leads 14 of the 
semiconductor devices 110, 110A and 110B, so as to increase the thickness 
of the solder 120 when the semiconductor devices 110, 110A and 110B are 
mounted on the circuit substrates 18. On the other hand, in this 
thirteenth embodiment of the semiconductor device, no lead projection is 
provided on the semiconductor device 110C, and instead, a spader 121 is 
formed on the circuit substrate 18A. 
By providing the spacer 121 on the circuit substrate 18A, it becomes 
possible to support the semiconductor device 110C in a state where the 
semiconductor device 110c is separated from the surface of the circuit 
substrate 18A. For this reason, the solder 120 can be arranged at the 
separating portion or gap formed between the semiconductor device 110C and 
the circuit substrate 18A. 
A projecting amount H.sub.4 of the spacer 121 from the surface of the 
circuit substrate 18A is set to satisfy a condition 
0.4.multidot.T.ltoreq.H.sub.4 .ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T, where T denotes the 
thickness of the lead 14. More particularly, the projecting amount H.sub.4 
of the spacer 121 is desirably set in a range of approximately 20 .mu.m to 
150 .mu.m. 
When the spacer 121 is formed on the circuit substrate 18A, the height 
H.sub.4 of the spacer 121 is secured as the minimum height of the solder 
120. Thus, the thickness of the solder 120 can be increased by providing 
the spacer 121. 
Accordingly, similarly to the case where the semiconductor devices 110, 
110A and 110B described above are mounted on the circuit substrates 18, it 
is possible to effectively absorb the thermal stress that is generated due 
to the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the 
semiconductor device 110c and the circuit substrate 18A by the solder 120. 
In addition, the solder 120 can have the predetermined bonding strength 
which is sufficient to bond and connect the semiconductor device 110C and 
the circuit substrate 18A. Hence, the mounting characteristic and the 
reliability of the semiconductor device 110C are improved. 
Next, a description will be given of a fourteenth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention. FIGS. 30A and 30B 
respectively are cross sectional views for explaining the fourteenth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device and a fifth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device mounting structure according to the present 
invention. More particularly, FIG. 30A is a cross sectional view showing a 
vicinity of the external terminal 16 of a semiconductor device 110D on an 
enlarged scale, and FIG. 30B is a cross sectional view showing the 
semiconductor device 110D in a state mounted on the circuit substrate 18. 
In FIGS. 30A and 30B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIGS. 25A and 25B are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In the thirteenth embodiment of the semiconductor device and the fourth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device mounting structure, the spacer 121 
is provided on the circuit substrate 18A so as to increase the thickness 
of the solder 120 when the semiconductor device 110C is mounted on the 
circuit substrate 18A. On the other hand, in this fourteenth embodiment of 
the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device 110D is provided with a 
package projection 122 which projects downwards from the bottom surface 
17a of the package 17. 
The package projection 122 is formed simultaneously as the forming of the 
package 17, and thus, the package projection 122 is formed integrally on 
the package 17. For this reason, the package projection 122 can be formed 
with ease, and the semiconductor device 110D can be produced without 
increasing the number of production steps. 
By providing the package projection 122 on the package 17, it becomes 
possible to support the semiconductor device 110D in a state where the 
semiconductor device 110D is separated from the surface of the circuit 
substrate 18. Hence, the solder 120 can be arranged at the separating 
portion or gap formed between the semiconductor device 110D and the 
circuit substrate 18. 
A projecting amount H.sub.2 of the package projection 122 from the surface 
of the circuit substrate 18A is set to satisfy a condition 
0.4.multidot.T.ltoreq.H.sub.2 .ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T, where T denotes the 
thickness of the lead 14. More particularly, the projecting amount H.sub.2 
of the package projection 122 is desirably set in a range of approximately 
20 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m. 
When the package projection 122 is formed on the package 17, the height 
H.sub.2 of the package projection 122 is secured as the minimum height of 
the solder 120. Thus, the thickness of the solder 120 can be increased by 
providing the package projection 122. 
Accordingly, similarly to the case where the semiconductor devices 110, 
110A, 110B and 110C described above are mounted on the circuit substrates 
18 and 18A, it is possible to effectively absorb the thermal stress that 
is generated due to the difference between the coefficients of thermal 
expansion of the semiconductor device 110D and the circuit substrate 18 by 
the solder 120. In addition, the solder 120 can have the predetermined 
bonding strength which is sufficient to bond and connect the semiconductor 
device 110D and the circuit substrate 18. Hence, the mounting 
characteristic and the reliability of the semiconductor device 110D are 
improved. 
Next, a description will be given of a fifteenth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention. FIGS. 31A and 31B 
respectively are cross sectional views for explaining the fifteenth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device and a sixth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device mounting structure according to the present 
invention. More particularly, FIG. 31A is a cross sectional view showing a 
vicinity of the external terminal 16 of a semiconductor device 110E on an 
enlarged scale, and FIG. 31B is a cross sectional view showing the 
semiconductor device 110E in a state mounted on the circuit substrate 18. 
In FIGS. 31A and 31B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIGS. 25A and 25B are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In the tenth through twelfth embodiments of the semiconductor device, the 
lead projections 19, 19A and 19B are formed on the leads 14 of the 
semiconductor devices 110, 110A and 110B, so as to increase the thickness 
of the solder 120 when the semiconductor devices 110, 110A and 110B are 
mounted on the circuit substrates 18. On the other hand, in this fifteenth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device, a lead recess 123 is formed in the 
lead 14, so as to increase the thickness of the solder 120 when the 
semiconductor device 110E is mounted on the circuit substrate 18. 
In this embodiment of the semiconductor device, the portion of the lead 14 
that is bent in an approximate Z-shape is used to form the lead recess 
123. In addition, the resin forming the package 17 is not provided at the 
portion where the lead recess 123 is formed. In other words, the lead 
recess 123 is exposed from the package 17. 
By forming the lead recess 123 in the lead 14 and exposing this lead recess 
123 from the package 17, the lead recess 123 confronts and is separated 
from the circuit substrate 18 in a state where the semiconductor device 
110E is mounted on the circuit substrate 18, and the solder 120 can be 
arranged at this portion where the lead recess 123 confronts and is 
separated from the circuit substrate 18. 
A depth H.sub.3 of this lead recess 123 from the bottom surface 17a of the 
package 17 is set to satisfy a condition 0.4.multidot.T.ltoreq.H.sub.3 
.ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T, where T denotes the thickness of the lead 14. More 
particularly, the depth amount H.sub.3 of the lead recess 123 is desirably 
set in a range of approximately 20 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m. 
When the lead recess 123 is formed in the lead 14, the depth H.sub.3 of the 
lead recess 123 is secured as the minimum height of the solder 120. Thus, 
the thickness of the solder 120 can be increased by providing the lead 
recess 123. 
Accordingly, similarly to the case where the semiconductor devices 110, 
110A, 110B, 110C and 110D described above are mounted on the circuit 
substrates 18 and 18A, it is possible to effectively absorb the thermal 
stress that is generated due to the difference between the coefficients of 
thermal expansion of the semiconductor device 110E and the circuit 
substrate 18 by the solder 120. In addition, the solder 120 can have the 
predetermined bonding strength which is sufficient to bond and connect the 
semiconductor device 110E and the circuit substrate 18. Hence, the 
mounting characteristic and the reliability of the semiconductor device 
110E are improved. 
Next, a description will be given of a sixteenth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention. FIGS. 32A and 32B 
respectively are cross sectional views for explaining the sixteenth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device and a seventh embodiment of the 
semiconductor device mounting structure according to the present 
invention. More particularly, FIG. 32A is a cross sectional view showing a 
vicinity of the external terminal 16 of a semiconductor device 110F on an 
enlarged scale, and FIG. 32B is a cross sectional view showing the 
semiconductor device 110F in a state mounted on the circuit substrate 18. 
In FIGS. 32A and 32B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIGS. 25A and 25B are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
In the fifteenth embodiment of the semiconductor device described above, 
the lead recess 123 is formed by using the Z-shaped bent portion of the 
lead 14, so as to increase the thickness of the solder 120 when the 
semiconductor device 11OE is mounted on the circuit substrate 18. On the 
other hand, in this sixteenth embodiment of the semiconductor device, an 
etching process is carried out with respect to the lead 14 so as to form a 
lead recess 123A, so as to increase the thickness of the solder 120 when 
the semiconductor device 110F is mounted on the circuit substrate 18. 
When forming the lead recess 123A, only the external terminal 16 is made to 
have a two-layer structure, that is, a stacked structure of two lead 
members. Thereafter, a portion of the two-layer structure corresponding to 
the lead recess 123A is removed by the etching process so that only 
portions 126 of the two-layer structure remain as shown in FIG. 32A. As a 
result, the lead recess 123A is formed in the two-layer structure, that 
is, the lead 14. 
The etching process with respect to the lead 14 may be carried out after 
forming of the lead 14 or, after forming of the package 17. In addition, 
the lead recess 123A can be formed by a process other than the etching 
process, such as a press-working or a plastic-working. 
By forming the lead recess 123A in the lead 14 and exposing this lead 
recess 123A from the package 17, the lead recess 123A confronts and is 
separated from the circuit substrate 18 in a state where the semiconductor 
device 110F is mounted on the circuit substrate 18, and the solder 120 can 
be arranged at this portion where the lead recess 123A confronts and is 
separated from the circuit substrate 18. 
A depth H.sub.3 of this lead recess 123A from the bottom surface 17a of the 
package 17 is set to satisfy a condition 0.4.multidot.T.ltoreq.H.sub.3 
.ltoreq.3.0.multidot.T, where T denotes the thickness of the lead 14. More 
particularly, the depth amount H.sub.3 of the lead recess 123A is 
desirably set in a range of approximately 20 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m. 
When the lead recess 123A is formed in the lead 14, the depth H.sub.3 of 
the lead recess 123A is secured as the minimum height of the solder 120. 
Thus, the thickness of the solder 120 can be increased by providing the 
lead recess 123A. 
Accordingly, similarly to the case where the semiconductor devices 110, 
110A, 110B, 110C, 110D and 110E described above are mounted on the circuit 
substrates 18 and 18A, it is possible to effectively absorb the thermal 
stress that is generated due to the difference between the coefficients of 
thermal expansion of the semiconductor device 110F and the circuit 
substrate 18 by the solder 120. In addition, the solder 120 can have the 
predetermined bonding strength which is sufficient to bond and connect the 
semiconductor device 110F and the circuit substrate 18. Hence, the 
mounting characteristic and the reliability of the semiconductor device 
110F are improved. 
Next, a description will be given of a seventeenth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention. FIGS. 33A through 
33C respectively are cross sectional views for explaining the seventeenth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device and an eighth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device mounting structure according to the present 
invention. More particularly, FIG. 33A is a cross sectional view showing a 
vicinity of a lead projection 19C of a semiconductor device 110L on an 
enlarged scale, FIG. 33B is a cross sectional view showing the 
semiconductor device 110L in a state mounted on the circuit substrate 18, 
and FIG. 33C is a cross sectional view for explaining a method of forming 
the lead projection 19C. In FIGS. 33A through 33C, those parts which are 
the same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 25A and 25B are designated 
by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
According to the semiconductor device 110L, the tip end portion of the 
external terminal 16 is bent in an approximate U-shape when farming the 
lead 14 as shown in FIG. 33C, so that the lead projection 19C confronts 
the bottom surface 17a of the package 17. 
Because the lead projection 19C has the approximate U-shape, the lead 
projection 19C has a spring characteristic. In other words, a space is 
formed at a location, between the lead projection 19C and the bottom 
surface 17a of the package 17, where the soldering takes place. For this 
reason, even if a stress is applied on this location, the lead projection 
19C can undergo resilient deformation within this space. Consequently, 
even if the thermal stress is applied on this location, the lead 
projection 19C undergoes resilient deformation and absorbs the thermal 
stress, and the generation of cracks in the package 17 is effectively 
prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to improve both the mounting 
characteristic and reliability of the semiconductor device 110L. 
Next, a description will be given of the seventeenth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device. 
FIGS. 34 through 37 are diagrams for explaining an eighteenth embodiment of 
the semiconductor device according to the present invention and a ninth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device mounting structure according to the 
present invention. For comparison purposes, FIG. 34 shows the 
semiconductor device mounting structure for a case where the semiconductor 
device 110 is warped. In FIG. 34, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIG. 22 are designated by the same reference 
numerals. FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining a method of arranging the 
solder 120. FIG. 36 is a bottom view showing external terminals 16a 
through 16e for explaining the eighteenth embodiment of the semiconductor 
device and the ninth embodiment of the semiconductor device mounting 
structure. FIG. 37 is a side view showing a semiconductor device 10G in a 
state mounted on the circuit substrate 18 for explaining the eighteenth 
embodiment of the semiconductor device and the ninth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device mounting structure. 
In each of the tenth through seventeenth embodiments of the semiconductor 
device described above, the amount of solder 120 that is arranged to bond 
and connect the semiconductor devices 110 and 110A through 110F to the 
circuit substrates 18 and 18A is the same at each of the plurality of 
external terminals 16. 
On the other hand, in this eighteenth embodiment of the semiconductor 
device, an amount of solder 120 that is arranged at a location where the 
amount of warp generated in a semiconductor device 110G is large is set 
large compared to an amount of solder 120 that is arranged at a location 
where the amount of warp generated in the semiconductor device 110G is 
small. By employing this semiconductor device mounting structure, it is 
possible to positively mount the semiconductor device 110G on the circuit 
substrate 18 even when the warp is generated in the semiconductor device 
110G, as described hereunder. 
The relationship of the semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 
18 will now be examined for the case where a warp is generated in the 
semiconductor device 110. 
For the sake of convenience, it will be assumed that the warp is generated 
in the semiconductor device 110 such that the semiconductor device 110 
curves down as shown in FIG. 34. When the semiconductor device 110 curves 
down as shown in FIG. 34, a separating distance between the semiconductor 
device 110 and the circuit substrate 18 is largest at the central portion 
of the semiconductor device 110 and decreases towards both ends of the 
semiconductor device 110. On the other hand, if the semiconductor device 
110 curves up, the separating distance between the semiconductor device 
110 and the circuit substrate 18 is largest at both ends of the 
semiconductor device 110 and decreases towards the central portion of the 
semiconductor device 110. 
When mounting the tenth through seventeenth embodiments of the 
semiconductor device on the circuit substrate 18 or 18A, the amount of 
solder 120 arranged on each of the external terminals 16 of the 
semiconductor device 110 is the same for each external terminal 16. Hence, 
in the case of the semiconductor device 110 shown in FIG. 34, solder 
portions 120c and 120d located at the central portion of the semiconductor 
device 110 where the separating distance between the semiconductor device 
110 and the circuit substrate 18 is large have a vertically stretched 
shape and a small cross section. On the other hand, solder portions 120a 
and 120b located at the end portions of the semiconductor device 110 where 
the separating distance between the semiconductor device 110 and the 
circuit substrate 18 is small have a vertically squeezed shape and a large 
cross section. 
Accordingly, there is a possibility of a poor electrical connection and a 
poor bonding being generated at the portion where the separating distance 
between the semiconductor device 110 and the circuit substrate 18 is 
large. In FIG. 34, the cross sectional areas of the solder portions 120c 
and 120d become small at the central portion where the semiconductor 
device 110 is warped, and there is a possibility of the poor electrical 
connection and the poor bonding occurring at these solder portions 120c 
and 120d. 
On the other hand, according to this embodiment, an amount of solder 120 
arranged at a portion of the semiconductor device 110G where the warp is 
large is set large compared to an amount of solder 120 arranged at a 
portion of the semiconductor device 110G where the warp is small. 
The amount of solder 120 arranged with respect to each external terminal 16 
of the semiconductor device 110G or, arranged with respect to each 
connecting electrode of the circuit substrate 18, may be varied depending 
on the amount of warp by employing the following method, although the 
varying of the amount of solder 120 is not limited to such a method. 
FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining the method of arranging the solder 120 
with respect to the external terminal 16 (not visible in FIG. 35) of the 
semiconductor device 110G. A thick film printing method is used to arrange 
the solder 120 with respect to the external terminal 16 of the 
semiconductor device 110G. More particularly, a mask 125 having openings 
at positions corresponding to the positions where the external terminals 
16 of the semiconductor device 110G are formed is used. A stage 124 is 
moved on the mask 125, so that solder paste 127 is printed on top of the 
external terminals 16 via the openings of the mask 125. 
In addition, as shown in FIG. 36, external terminals 16d and 16e which are 
arranged at the portion of the semiconductor device 110G where the warp is 
large have shapes which are large compared to external terminals 16b and 
16c which are arranged at the portion of the semiconductor device 110G 
where the warp is small. The areas of the openings formed in the mask 125 
differ depending on the size of the external terminals 16b through 16e of 
the semiconductor device 110G. 
When the thick film printing shown in FIG. 35 is carried out with respect 
to the external terminals 16b through 16e shown in FIG. 36, the amount of 
solder 120g and 120h arranged at the external terminals 16d and 16e where 
the warp of the semiconductor device 110G is large, can be set large 
compared to the amount of solder 120e and 120f arranged at the external 
terminals 16b and 16c where the warp of the semiconductor device 110G is 
small, as shown in FIG. 37. 
As a result, even if the semiconductor device 110G warps as shown in FIG. 
37, the cross sectional areas of the solders 120e through 120h can be made 
approximately constant regardless of the location of the solders 120e 
through 120h, that is, regardless of whether the solder is provided at the 
central portion or the end portions of the semiconductor device 110G. For 
this reason, it is possible to suppress generation of poor electrical 
connection and poor bonding, thereby making it possible to positively 
mount the semiconductor device 110G on the circuit substrate 18. 
Of course, the arrangement of the external terminals 16b through 16e can be 
applied similarly to any of the semiconductor devices 110 and 110A through 
110L described above. 
In the tenth through eighteenth embodiments of the semiconductor device, 
the external terminals 16 are arranged linearly along both side at the 
bottom of the semiconductor devices 110 and 110A through 110G. However, as 
the integration density of the semiconductor device is increased, there is 
a tendency for the number of external terminals to increase. When the 
number of external terminals is large, it is possible to arrange the 
external terminals in an approximate checker-board pattern, as in the case 
of a semiconductor device 110H shown in FIG. 38. In FIG. 38, external 
terminals 16A and external terminals 16B are arranged in an approximate 
checker-board pattern. The tenth through eighteenth embodiments of the 
semiconductor device described above may employ an arrangement of the 
external terminals 16 similar to that shown in FIG. 38. 
Next, a description will be given of nineteenth through twenty-first 
embodiments of the semiconductor device according to the present 
invention, by referring to FIGS. 39A through 41. The nineteenth through 
twenty-first embodiments of the semiconductor device are designed to 
improve the bonding strength between the external terminal 16 and the 
solder 120 (omitted in FIGS. 39A through 41). 
FIGS. 39A and 39B respectively are diagrams for explaining the nineteenth 
embodiment of semiconductor device according to the present invention. 
FIG. 39A shows a cross section of a vicinity of the external terminal 16 
of a semiconductor device 110I on an enlarged scale, and FIG. 39B shows a 
bottom view of an exposed bottom surface 16a of the semiconductor device 
110I. In FIGS. 39A and 39B, those parts which are the same as those 
corresponding parts in FIG. 22 are designated by the same reference 
numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 
In this embodiment, a bottom surface 16a of the external terminal 16 of at 
least some of the leads 14 has small dimples 16-1 formed thereon. It is 
possible to increase the contact area between the bottom surface 16a and 
the solder 120 by forming the dimples 16-1 on the bottom surface 16a which 
is bonded to the solder 120. As a result, it is possible to improve the 
bonding strength between the lead 14 and the solder 120, and the 
reliability of mounting the semiconductor device 110I on the circuit 
substrate 18 (not shown) is improved. 
Next, a description will be given of a twentieth embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIGS. 40A and 40B. FIGS. 40A and 40B respectively are diagrams for 
explaining the twentieth embodiment of semiconductor device according to 
the present invention. FIG. 40A shows a cross section of a vicinity of the 
external terminal 16 of a semiconductor device 110J on an enlarged scale, 
and FIG. 40B shows a bottom view of an exposed bottom surface 16a of the 
semiconductor device 110J. In FIGS. 40A and 40B, those parts which are the 
same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 22 are designated by the same 
reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 
In this embodiment, a bottom surface 16a of the external terminal 16 of at 
least some of the leads 14 has grooves 16-2 formed thereon. The grooves 
16-2 have a triangular cross section. It is possible to increase the 
contact area between the bottom surface 16a and the solder 120 by forming 
the grooves 16-2 on the bottom surface 16a which is bonded to the solder 
120. As a result, it is possible to improve the bonding strength between 
the lead 14 and the solder 120, and the reliability of mounting the 
semiconductor device 110J on the circuit substrate 18 (not shown) is 
improved. In other words, this embodiment can obtain basically the same 
effects as those of the nineteenth embodiment. 
Of course, the shapes of the dimples and grooves formed on the bottom 
surface 16a are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 39A through 40B. The 
dimples or grooves formed on the bottom surface 16a may have any shape as 
long as the contact area between the bottom surface 16a and the solder 120 
is increased compared to the case where no dimples or grooves are formed 
on the bottom surface 16a. Furthermore, it is possible to make the entire 
bottom surface 16a rough. 
Next, a description will be given of a twenty-first embodiment of the 
semiconductor device according to the present invention, by referring to 
FIG. 41. FIG. 41 shows a cross section in a vicinity of the external 
terminal 16 of a semiconductor device 110K. In FIG. 41, those parts which 
are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 22 are designated by the 
same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 
In this embodiment, both a top surface 16f and a bottom surface 16a of the 
external terminal 16 of at least some of the leads 14 have grooves 16-2 
formed thereon. The grooves 16-2 have a triangular cross section. It is 
possible to increase the contact area between the bottom surface 16a and 
the solder 120 by forming the grooves 16-2 on the bottom surface 16a which 
is bonded to the solder 120. As a result, it is possible to improve the 
bonding strength between the lead 14 and the solder 120, and the 
reliability of mounting the semiconductor device 110K on the circuit 
substrate 18 (not shown) is improved. In other words, this embodiment can 
obtain basically the same effects as those of the nineteenth embodiment. 
Furthermore, it is possible to increase the contact area between the top 
surface 16f and the package 17 by forming the grooves 16-2 on the top 
surface 16f. For this reason, it is possible to improve the bonding 
strength between the lead 14 and the package 17. 
The tenth through eighteenth embodiments of the semiconductor device 
described above may employ a grooved structure of the external terminals 
16 similar to any of the nineteenth through twenty-first embodiments of 
the semiconductor device. 
Next, a description will be given of twenty-second through twenty-fourth 
embodiments of the semiconductor device according to the present 
invention, by referring to FIGS. 42A through 44C. 
FIGS. 42A and 42B respectively are a perspective view and a plan view for 
explaining the twenty-second embodiment of the semiconductor device 
according to the present invention. FIG. 42A is a perspective view, on an 
enlarged scale, showing a vicinity of a lead projection 19D of a 
semiconductor device 110M. FIG. 42B is a plan view for explaining a method 
of forming the lead projection 19D. In FIGS. 42A and 42B, those parts 
which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 22 are designated 
by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
The semiconductor device 110M is provided with the lead projection 19D 
which is arranged on the external terminal 16 of the lead 14 so as to 
project from a wall surface of the package 17. In addition, a width W1 at 
the tip end portion of the lead projection 19D is made smaller than a 
width W2 of the lead projection 19D at the wall surface of the package 17 
in FIG. 42A. 
By making the width W1 at the tip end portion of the lead projection 19D 
narrower than the width W2 of the lead projection 19D at the wall surface 
of the package 17, it becomes possible to reduce the area of a cut surface 
19D-1 indicated by hatching when forming the lead 14. 
As described above, the plating process is carried out with respect to the 
external terminal 16 before the forming the lead 14. For this reason, when 
the lead 14 is cut by the press-working, the cut surface 19D-1 having no 
plated layer formed thereon becomes exposed. But according to this 
embodiment, the area of the cut surface 19D-1 can be made small, thereby 
increasing the area of the lead projection 19D that is plated when 
compared to the conventional case. 
Therefore, a satisfactory wetting characteristic is obtained between the 
solder 120 and the lead projection 19D, and the mounting characteristic 
and the reliability of the semiconductor device 110M are improved. It is 
desirable that a ratio W1/W2 between the width W2 of the lead projection 
19D at the wall surface of the package 17 and the width W1 of the cut 
surface 19D-1 at the tip end portion of the lead projection 19D is set in 
a range of approximately 1/2 to 1/3, and the wetting characteristic of the 
solder 120 is optimized within this range. 
When forming the lead projection 19D having the above described 
construction, a penetrating hole 141A having a trapezoidal shape shown in 
FIG. 42B is formed in advance in a lead frame 140A at each position where 
the external terminal 16 is formed. A plating process is carried out with 
respect to the lead frame 140A having the penetrating holes 141A, and the 
lead frame 140A is thereafter cut along a dotted line in FIG. 42B. 
Hence, by forming the penetrating hole 141A in advance with respect to the 
external terminal 16, it is possible to easily and positively form the 
lead projection 19D having a shape which satisfies the relationship W1&lt;W2 
by cutting the lead frame 140A, that is, the external terminal 16 at the 
position where the penetrating hole 141A is formed. 
FIGS. 43A and 43B respectively are a perspective view and a plan view for 
explaining the twenty-third embodiment of the semiconductor device 
according to the present invention. FIG. 43A is a perspective view, on an 
enlarged scale, showing a vicinity of a lead projection 19E of a 
semiconductor device 110N. FIG. 43B is a plan view for explaining a method 
of forming the lead projection 19E. In FIGS. 43A and 43B, those parts 
which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 22 are designated 
by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
The semiconductor device 110N is provided with the lead projection 19E 
which is arranged on the external terminal 16 of the lead 14 so as to 
project from a wall surface of the package 17. The lead projection 19E has 
forked tip ends. A width W3 at each tip end portion of the lead projection 
19E is made smaller than a width W2 of the lead projection 19E at the wall 
surface of the package 17 in FIG. 43A. 
By making the width W3 at each tip end portion of the lead projection 19E 
narrower than the width W2 of the lead projection 19D at the wall surface 
of the package 17, it becomes possible to reduce the area of each cut 
surface 19E-1 indicated by hatching when forming the lead 14. 
As described above, the plating process is carried out with respect to the 
external terminal 16 before the forming the lead 14. For this reason, when 
the lead 14 is cut by the press-working, the cut surface 19E-1 having no 
plated layer formed thereon becomes exposed. But according to this 
embodiment, the area of the cut surface 19E-1 can be made small, thereby 
increasing the area of the lead projection 19E that is plated when 
compared to the conventional case. 
Therefore, a satisfactory wetting characteristic is obtained between the 
solder 120 and the lead projection 19E, and the mounting characteristic 
and the reliability of the semiconductor device 110N are improved. It is 
desirable that a ratio (2.multidot.W3)/W2 between the width W2 of the lead 
projection 19E at the wall surface of the package 17 and a sum of the 
widths W3 of the cut surfaces 19E-1 at the tip end portions of the lead 
projection 19E is set in a range of approximately 1/2 to 1/3, and the 
wetting characteristic of the solder 120 is optimized within this range. 
When forming the lead projection 19E having the above described 
construction, a penetrating hole 141B having a rectangular shape shown in 
FIG. 43B is formed in advance in a lead frame 140B at each position where 
the external terminal 16 is formed. A plating process is carried out with 
respect to the lead frame 140B having the penetrating holes 141B, and the 
lead frame 140B is thereafter cut along a dotted line in FIG. 43B. 
Hence, by forming the penetrating hole 141B in advance with respect to the 
external terminal 16, it is possible to easily and positively form the 
lead projection 19E having a shape which satisfies the relationship W3&lt;W2 
by cutting the lead frame 140B, that is, the external terminal 16 at the 
position where the penetrating hole 141B is formed. 
FIGS. 44A and 44B respectively are a perspective view and a plan view for 
explaining the twenty-fourth embodiment of the semiconductor device 
according to the present invention. FIG. 44A is a perspective view, on an 
enlarged scale, showing a vicinity of a lead projection 19F of a 
semiconductor device 110P. FIG. 44B is a plan view for explaining a method 
of forming the lead projection 19F. In FIGS. 44A and 44B, those parts 
which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 22 are designated 
by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
The semiconductor device 110P is provided with the lead projection 19F 
which is arranged on the external terminal 16 of the lead 14 so as to 
project from a wall surface of the package 17. In addition, a thickness T1 
at the tip end portion of the lead projection 19F is made smaller than a 
thickness T2 of the lead projection 19F at the wall surface of the package 
17 in FIG. 44A. 
By making the thickness T1 at the tip end portion of the lead projection 
19F thinner than the thickness T2 of the lead projection 19F at the wall 
surface of the package 17, it becomes possible to reduce the area of a cut 
surface 19F-1 indicated by hatching when forming the lead 14. 
As described above, the plating process is carried out with respect to the 
external terminal 16 before the forming the lead 14. For this reason, when 
the lead 14 is cut by the press-working, the cut surface 19F-1 having no 
plated layer formed thereon becomes exposed. But according to this 
embodiment, the area of the cut surface 19F-1 can be made small, thereby 
increasing the area of the lead projection 19F that is plated when 
compared to the conventional case. 
Therefore, a satisfactory wetting characteristic is obtained between the 
solder 120 and the lead projection 19F, and the mounting characteristic 
and the reliability of the semiconductor device 110P are improved. 
When forming the lead projection 19F having the above described 
construction, a tapered portion 142 having a shape such that the thickness 
thereof decreases from the package side towards the outer side as shown in 
FIG. 44A and a penetrating hole 141C shown in FIG. 44B are formed in 
advance in a lead frame 140C, by an etching or press-working, at each 
position where the external terminal 16 is formed. A plating process is 
carried out with respect to the lead frame 140C having the tapered portion 
142 and the penetrating holes 141C, and the lead frame 140C is thereafter 
cut along a dotted line in FIG. 44B. 
Hence, by forming the tapered portion 142 and the penetrating hole 141C in 
advance with respect to the external terminal 16, it is possible to easily 
and positively form the lead projection 19F having a shape which satisfies 
the relationship T1&lt;T2 by cutting the lead frame 140C, that is, the 
external terminal 16 at the position where the tapered portion 142 is 
formed. 
The location of the tapered portion 142 is not limited to that shown in 
FIG. 44A, that is, at the bottom of the external terminal 16. For example, 
the tapered portion 142 may be located at the top of the external terminal 
16. 
FIG. 45 is a perspective view for explaining a modification of the 
twenty-fourth embodiment of the semiconductor device according to the 
present invention. FIG. 45 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, 
showing a vicinity of a lead projection 19F of a semiconductor device 
110W. In FIG. 45, those parts which are the same as those corresponding 
parts in FIGS. 44A and 44B are designated by the same reference numerals, 
and a description thereof will be omitted. 
As shown in FIG. 45, the tapered portion 142 of the lead projection 19F of 
the semiconductor device 110Q is located on the top of the external 
terminal 16. 
Of course, the embodiments described heretofore may be appropriately 
combined to obtain the desired results of particular embodiments. 
Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but 
various variations and modifications may be made without departing from 
the scope of the present invention.