Integrated circuit package system employing a support structure with a recess

An integrated circuit package system that includes: providing an electrical interconnect system including a support structure and a lead-finger system; processing a top edge of the support structure along an outermost periphery thereof, to include a recess for preventing mold bleed, the recess surrounded by the lead finger system; and encapsulating the recess and the electrical interconnect system with an encapsulation material to interlock the encapsulation material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits, and more particularly to an integrated circuit package system employing a support structure with a recess.

BACKGROUND ART

Integrated circuits can be found in many of today's consumer electronics. For example, integrated circuits can be found in cellphones, video cameras, portable music players, computers, and even automobiles. The general principles of packaging an integrated circuit are well known. Ordinarily, a leadframe is employed which may include a die paddle and terminal leads arranged in a pre-selected arrangement around the periphery of the die paddle. A semiconductor device is attached to the die paddle and wire bonding or the like is used to interconnect bonding pads on the semiconductor device to the terminal leads. These assemblies are then encapsulated in a molding compound. This general process may be used to produce various integrated circuit package configurations.

Unfortunately, during encapsulation of the die paddle, the terminal leads, and the semiconductor device, the die paddle tends to lift causing a mold bleed problem at the periphery of the die paddle. It is believed that forces produced during mold flow of the encapsulation material cause the unwanted movement of the die paddle. Despite recognition of the mold bleed problem and one of its potential causes, mold bleed still remains one of the top defects seen on production lines. Furthermore, attempts at mold flash removal by various chemical processes have yet to prove very effective.

Thus, a need still remains for a reliable integrated circuit package system and method of fabrication, wherein the integrated circuit package system helps to prevent mold bleed during mold flow. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, increasing consumer expectations, and diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. Moreover, the ever-increasing need to save costs, improve efficiencies, and meet such competitive pressures adds even greater urgency to the critical necessity that answers be found to these problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an integrated circuit package system including: providing an electrical interconnect system including a support structure and a lead-finger system; processing a top edge of the support structure along an outermost periphery thereof, to include a recess for preventing mold bleed, the recess surrounded by the lead finger system; and encapsulating the recess and the electrical interconnect system with an encapsulation material to interlock the encapsulation material.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing FIGs. Additionally, where multiple embodiments are disclosed and described having some features in common, for clarity and ease of illustration, description, and comprehension thereof, similar and like features one to another will ordinarily be described with like reference numerals.

The term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the conventional plane or surface of the support structure, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “on”, “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane. The term “processed” or “processing” as used herein includes deposition of material or photoresist, patterning, exposure, development, etching, cleaning, and/or removal of the material or photoresist as required in forming a described structure.

Embodiment One

Referring now toFIG. 1, therein is shown a top view of an integrated circuit package system100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of illustration and ease of discussion, an encapsulating material (described inFIG. 3) has been removed.

The integrated circuit package system100includes a device102, a support structure104, a corner tie bar105, an electrical interconnect system106, a lead-finger system108, a device bonding pad110, a wire bond112, and a recess114. By way of example, the device102may include semiconductor chips and integrated circuit packages selected from active components, passive components, stacked components, memory components, and so forth, in numerous configurations and arrangements as may be needed. It is to be understood that the device102covers a wide range of semiconductor chip and integrated circuit package configurations involving various sizes, dimensions, and electrical contact techniques, and the type of chip or package configuration employed should only be limited by the design specifications of the integrated circuit package.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the device102or the integrated circuit package system100may include package configurations, such as Package-in-Package (PiP) and Package-on-Package (PoP) configurations. The PiP system is a 3D package system that stacks a fully tested Internal Stacking Module (ISM) on top of a Base Assembly Package (BAP) to form a single Chip Scale Package (CSP). PoP is a 3D package in which fully tested packages are stacked on top of another single or stacked package during the board mount process. As an exemplary illustration, the device102may include a PiP configuration or a PoP configuration. Additionally, by way of example, the integrated circuit package system100, itself, may include a PiP configuration or a PoP configuration.

The support structure104supports the device102and may include a die attach paddle, for example, but may include any structure suitable for supporting the device102. The device102is secured to the support structure104by adhesives well known in the art and not repeated herein. Notably, the present invention may employ “zero-fillet” technology when securing the device102to the support structure104. The support structure104is held in place by the corner tie bar105.

The electrical interconnect system106, which includes the support structure104and the lead-finger system108, provides an electrical interface between external electrical circuits and the device102. More specifically, the device bonding pad110of the device102is electrically connected to the lead-finger system108via the wire bond112. As an exemplary illustration, the lead-finger system108may fan out from the device102and terminate at the periphery of the package to create a quad flat non-leaded package (QFN).

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the wire bond112can be deposited using materials and techniques well known within the art and are not repeated herein. For purposes of illustration, the wire bond112may include power wire bonds, signal wire bonds, ground bond wire bonds, and down bond wire bonds. Ground bond and down bond are wire bonding processes that allow the wire bond112to be bonded directly to the support structure104for purposes of grounding.

By way of example, the electrical interconnect system106may include a thin metal sheet, a conductive plated pattern on plastic tape, or any structure suitable for electrically interconnecting the device102to an external electrical circuit. As exemplary illustrations, the electrical interconnect system106can be formed by stamping, cutting or etching processes.

The electrical interconnect system106may include leads selected from: gull-wing leads, j-leads, leadless leads that wrap around the package edge to maintain a low profile, downset leads, pin leads, ball leads, single in-line leads, dual in-line leads, quad leads, and/or quad flat non-leaded leads. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to these examples. In accordance with the scope of the present invention, the electrical interconnect system106may include any electrical interconnection structure (i.e.—leads) that facilitates the incorporation of the integrated circuit package system100into a higher-level assembly, such as a printed circuit board or other suitable structure for supporting the integrated circuit package system100.

Additionally, for even greater interconnect density, the lead-finger system108of the electrical interconnect system106may employ single row, dual row and/or half-etched leads or lands. Furthermore, the lead-finger system108may be made from any type of material that provides an electrically conductive and bondable surface for the wire bond112. For example, the lead-finger system108may be made from a copper alloy or a nickel/palladium combination.

Notably, a top edge or periphery of the support structure104is processed to form the recess114. The present inventors have discovered that by forming the recess114along a top edge of the support structure104that the recess114helps to prevent lifting of the support structure104during mold flow. The present inventors have noted that this lifting at the periphery of the support structure104can cause a mold bleed problem that affects package quality.

More specifically, the present inventors have discovered that the forces encountered during mold flow can be manipulated to prevent lifting of the support structure104by strategically designing/configuring the recess114. By configuring the recess114appropriately, previously destructive upward mold flow stresses encountered during encapsulation are redirected downwards, thereby helping to prevent lifting of the support structure104. Generally, the design of the recess114may include a configuration that is bounded, in part, by a portion of the support structure104left remaining below the recess114after processing. By way of example, the recess114may be appropriately configured by designing the recess114to include a contoured configuration. For purposes of illustration, the contoured configuration of the recess114may substantially mimic the shape of the letter “S”. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to this example. In accordance with the scope of the present invention, the design of the recess114may include any shape that helps to prevent the support structure104from lifting during mold flow.

Per this embodiment, the recess114is formed uninterrupted along the length of each top edge of the support structure104. However, it is to be understood that although the present embodiment depicts the recess114formed along all four top edges of the support structure104, the recess114may be formed along any number of top edges as desired by the design engineer.

Circle2outlines an area that will be blown up for illustration purposes inFIG. 2.

Referring now toFIG. 2, therein is shown an enlarged view of the circle2, ofFIG. 1. This illustration more clearly depicts the contoured configuration of the recess114located along the top edge of the support structure104. As is evident from the disclosure herein, the mold flow stresses encountered during encapsulation are directed downwards due to the contoured shaping of the recess114. By directing the mold flow stresses downwards, the present inventors have found that the incidences of lifting of the support structure104are greatly reduced, and therefore, the occurrence of mold bleed is also greatly reduced. The wire bond112connects the lead-finger system108to the device bonding pad110, ofFIG. 1.

Referring now toFIG. 3, therein is shown a cross sectional view of the structure ofFIG. 1taken along line3-3. The integrated circuit package system100includes the device102, the support structure104, the electrical interconnect system106, the lead-finger system108, the wire bond112, a device adhesive300, an encapsulation material302, and a support structure bottom side304. The wire bond112is shown as a hidden line due to the encapsulation material302. This view also illustrates the contoured configuration of the recess114formed along the top edge of the support structure104. As is evident from the disclosure herein, top center and side reservoir mold flows, for example, would produce downward forces upon the support structure104, which would help prevent lifting of the support structure104and subsequent mold bleed problems.

This view also illustrates how the lead-finger system108may incorporate half-etched leads, thereby improving an interlocking effect between the lead-finger system108and the encapsulation material302.

The encapsulation material302is deposited over the integrated circuit package system100. Notably, the encapsulation material302does not cover at least a portion of the support structure bottom side304. By leaving the support structure bottom side304exposed to the external environment, the ability of the integrated circuit package system100to dissipate heat is greatly improved. Moreover, the improved thermal dissipation ability of the integrated circuit package system100can be further enhanced by attaching a thermally conductive substrate or a heat sink adjacent the support structure104. By improving the ability of the integrated circuit package system100to dissipate heat, the reliability and the useful life of the integrated circuit package system100can be improved.

Furthermore, the encapsulation material302not only protects the integrated circuit package system100from the external environment but it also provides support and stability to the package structure. Notably, the present inventors have discovered that the formation of the recess114further improves the interlocking of the encapsulation material302with the electrical interconnect system106, thereby creating a package less subject to delamination problems. The encapsulation material302and molding techniques using it are well known in the art and not repeated herein.

An additional aspect of the present invention is that it allows for testing of the device102before adhering it to the electrical interconnect system106, therefore ensuring the use of known good die or packages in the manufacturing process. Additionally, after adhering the device102to the electrical interconnect system106, these assemblies (i.e.—the integrated circuit package system100) can also be tested before incorporation into additional package systems. This ensures that the final product includes known good assemblies, and thereby improves the manufacturing process yield for packaging.

Although the present embodiment only illustrates a single device (i.e.—the device102) stacked over the support structure104, the scope of the present invention includes any number of devices (i.e.—active or passive) stacked over the support structure104to achieve the desired purpose of the integrated circuit package system100. As is evident from the disclosure herein, a second device and a third device may be stacked over the device102to achieve a higher-density form of the integrated circuit package system100. To achieve stacking, various inter-device structures, such as adhesives with or without thermally conducting capabilities, spacers, dummy devices, electromagnetic interference shields for blocking potentially disruptive energy fields, or a combination thereof, may be employed.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 through 6.FIGS. 4 through 6depict similar configurations as to that shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, and consequently, only the differences between the figures will be described, to avoid redundancy.

Embodiment Two

FIG. 4depicts a top view of an integrated circuit package system400in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of illustration and ease of discussion, the encapsulating material has been removed. The integrated circuit package system400includes the device102, the support structure104, the corner tie bar105, the electrical interconnect system106, the lead-finger system108, the device bonding pad110, the wire bond112, the recess114, and a ground structure402.

Per this embodiment, the top edge or periphery of the support structure104is processed to include the ground structure402formed within the recess114. The ground structure402may include a projection that separates or interrupts the recess114along the top edge or periphery of the support structure104. The ground structure402may provide a grounding point for the wire bond112from the device102(i.e.—a down bond) or for the wire bond112from the lead-finger system108(i.e.—a ground bond). The ground structure402may be processed to include any type of material that provides an electrically conductive and bondable surface for the wire bond112.

As an exemplary illustration, the present embodiment depicts forming two of the ground structure(s)402per side of the support structure104, thereby separating the recess114into three separate regions. However, the present invention is not to be limited to this example. In accordance with the scope of the present invention, the top edge of the support structure104may be processed to include any number of the ground structure402and any number of the recess114to help meet the design requirements of the package.

Circle5outlines an area that will be blown up for illustration purposes inFIG. 5.

Referring now toFIG. 5, therein is shown an enlarged view of the circle5, ofFIG. 4. This illustration depicts the contoured configuration of the recess114located along the top edge of the support structure104. Furthermore, this view depicts the formation of the ground structure402adjacent the recess114, thereby interrupting the formation of the recess114as a continuous structure along the top edge of the support structure104. This design variation offers enhanced grounding capability, while still providing enough mold flow force adjustment to prevent lifting of the support structure104. The wire bond(s)112connect the device102, ofFIG. 4, to the lead-finger system108and to the ground structure402, as well as, connect the lead-finger system108to the ground structure402.

Referring now toFIG. 6, therein is shown a cross sectional view of the structure ofFIG. 4taken along line6-6. The integrated circuit package system400includes the device102, the support structure104, the electrical interconnect system106, the lead-finger system108, the wire bond112, the device adhesive300, the support structure bottom side304, the ground structure402, and an encapsulation material600. The wire bond112and the ground structure402are shown with hidden lines due to the encapsulation material600.

This view also illustrates the contoured configuration of the recess114formed along the top edge of the support structure104. As is evident from the disclosure herein, the mold flow stresses encountered during encapsulation are directed downwards due to the contoured shaping of the recess114, and consequently, the incidences of lifting of the support structure104are greatly reduced.

Embodiment Three

Referring now toFIG. 7, therein is shown a top view of an integrated circuit package system700, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of illustration and ease of discussion, the encapsulating material has been removed.

The integrated circuit package system700includes the device102, the support structure104, the corner tie bar105, the electrical interconnect system106, the lead-finger system108, the device bonding pad110, the wire bond112, the recess114, and a first low resistivity interface702. By way of example, the device102may include semiconductor chips and integrated circuit packages selected from active components, passive components, stacked components, memory components, and so forth, in numerous configurations and arrangements as may be needed. It is to be understood that the device102covers a wide range of semiconductor chip and integrated circuit package configurations involving various sizes, dimensions, and electrical contact techniques, and the type of chip or package configuration employed should only be limited by the design specifications of the integrated circuit package.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the device102or the integrated circuit package system700may include package configurations, such as Package-in-Package (PiP) and Package-on-Package (PoP) configurations. The PiP system is a 3D package system that stacks a fully tested Internal Stacking Module (ISM) on top of a Base Assembly Package (BAP) to form a single Chip Scale Package (CSP). PoP is a 3D package in which fully tested packages are stacked on top of another single or stacked package during the board mount process. As an exemplary illustration, the device102may include a PiP configuration or a PoP configuration. Additionally, by way of example, the integrated circuit package system700, itself, may include a PiP configuration or a PoP configuration.

The support structure104supports the device102and may include a die attach paddle, for example, but may include any structure suitable for supporting the device102. The device102is secured to the support structure104by adhesives well known in the art and not repeated herein. Notably, the present invention may employ “zero-fillet” technology when securing the device102to the support structure104. The support structure104is held in place by the corner tie bar105.

The electrical interconnect system106, which includes the support structure104and the lead-finger system108, provides an electrical interface between external electrical circuits and the device102. More specifically, the device bonding pad110of the device102is electrically connected to the lead-finger system108via the wire bond112. As an exemplary illustration, the lead-finger system108may fan out from the device102and terminate at the periphery of the package to create a quad flat non-leaded package (QFN).

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the wire bond112can be deposited using materials and techniques well known within the art and are not repeated herein. For purposes of illustration, the wire bond112may include power wire bonds, signal wire bonds, ground bond wire bonds, and down bond wire bonds. Ground bond and down bond are wire bonding processes that allow the wire bond112to be bonded directly to the support structure104for purposes of grounding.

By way of example, the electrical interconnect system106may include a thin metal sheet, a conductive plated pattern on plastic tape, or any structure suitable for electrically interconnecting the device102to an external electrical circuit. As exemplary illustrations, the electrical interconnect system106can be formed by stamping, cutting or etching processes.

The electrical interconnect system106may include leads selected from: gull-wing leads, j-leads, leadless leads that wrap around the package edge to maintain a low profile, downset leads, pin leads, ball leads, single in-line leads, dual in-line leads, quad leads, and/or quad flat non-leaded leads. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to these examples. In accordance with the scope of the present invention, the electrical interconnect system106may include any electrical interconnection structure (i.e.—leads) that facilitates the incorporation of the integrated circuit package system700into a higher-level assembly, such as a printed circuit board or other suitable structure for supporting the integrated circuit package system700.

Additionally, for even greater interconnect density, the lead-finger system108of the electrical interconnect system106may employ single row, dual row and/or half-etched leads or lands. Furthermore, the lead-finger system108may be made from any type of material that provides an electrically conductive and bondable surface for the wire bond112. For example, the lead-finger system108may be made from a copper alloy or a nickel/palladium combination.

Notably, a top edge or periphery of the support structure104is processed to form the recess114. The present inventors have discovered that by forming the recess114along a top edge of the support structure104that the recess114helps to prevent lifting of the support structure104during mold flow. The present inventors have noted that this lifting at the periphery of the support structure104can cause a mold bleed problem that affects package quality.

More specifically, the present inventors have discovered that the forces encountered during mold flow can be manipulated to prevent lifting of the support structure104by strategically designing/configuring the recess114. By configuring the recess114appropriately, previously destructive upward mold flow stresses encountered during encapsulation are redirected downwards, thereby helping to prevent lifting of the support structure104. By way of example, the recess114may be appropriately configured by designing the recess114to include a step-shaped configuration. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to this example. In accordance with the scope of the present invention, the design of the recess114may include any shape that helps to prevent the support structure104from lifting during mold flow.

Per this embodiment, the recess114is formed uninterrupted along the length of each top edge of the support structure104. Notably, the recess114may include the first low resistivity interface702for improved electrical grounding of the wire bond112. By way of example, the first low resistivity interface702may include a material containing silver. However, the present invention is not to be limited to this example. In accordance with the scope of the present invention, the first low resistivity interface702may include any type of material that provides a low resistance electrical contact.

Furthermore, although the present embodiment depicts the recess114formed along all four top edges of the support structure104, the recess114may be formed along any number of top edges as desired by the design engineer.

Circle8outlines an area that will be blown up for illustration purposes inFIG. 8.

Referring now toFIG. 8, therein is shown an enlarged view of the circle8, ofFIG. 7. This illustration more clearly depicts the step-shaped configuration of the recess114located along the top edge of the support structure104. As is evident from the disclosure herein, the mold flow stresses encountered during encapsulation are directed downwards due to the step-shaped configuration of the recess114. By directing the mold flow stresses downwards, the present inventors have found that the incidences of lifting of the support structure104are greatly reduced, and therefore, the occurrence of mold bleed is also greatly reduced. The wire bond112connects the lead-finger system108to the device bonding pad110, ofFIG. 7. A portion of the recess114may be covered with the first low resistivity interface702.

Referring now toFIG. 9, therein is shown a cross sectional view of the structure ofFIG. 7taken along line9-9. The integrated circuit package system700includes the device102, the support structure104, the electrical interconnect system106, the lead-finger system108, the wire bond112, the device adhesive300, the support structure bottom side304, and an encapsulation material900. The wire bond112is shown as a hidden line due to the encapsulation material900. This view also illustrates the step-shaped configuration of the recess114formed along the top edge of the support structure104. As is evident from the disclosure herein, top center and side reservoir mold flows, for example, would produce downward forces upon the support structure104, which would help prevent lifting of the support structure104and subsequent mold bleed problems.

This view also illustrates how the lead-finger system108may incorporate half-etched leads, thereby improving an interlocking effect between the lead-finger system108and the encapsulation material900.

The encapsulation material900is deposited over the integrated circuit package system700. Notably, the encapsulation material900does not cover at least a portion of the support structure bottom side304. By leaving the support structure bottom side304exposed to the external environment, the ability of the integrated circuit package system700to dissipate heat is greatly improved. Moreover, the improved thermal dissipation ability of the integrated circuit package system700can be further enhanced by attaching a thermally conductive substrate or a heat sink adjacent the support structure104. By improving the ability of the integrated circuit package system700to dissipate heat, the reliability and the useful life of the integrated circuit package system700can be improved.

Furthermore, the encapsulation material900not only protects the integrated circuit package system700from the external environment but it also provides support and stability to the package structure. Notably, the present inventors have discovered that the formation of the recess114further improves the interlocking of the encapsulation material900with the electrical interconnect system106, thereby creating a package less subject to delamination problems. The encapsulation material900and molding techniques using it are well known in the art and not repeated herein.

An additional aspect of the present invention is that it allows for testing of the device102before adhering it to the electrical interconnect system106, therefore ensuring the use of known good die or packages in the manufacturing process. Additionally, after adhering the device102to the electrical interconnect system106, these assemblies (i.e.—the integrated circuit package system700) can also be tested before incorporation into additional package systems. This ensures that the final product includes known good assemblies, and thereby improves the manufacturing process yield for packaging.

Although the present embodiment only illustrates a single device (i.e.—the device102) stacked over the support structure104, the scope of the present invention includes any number of devices (i.e.—active or passive) stacked over the support structure104to achieve the desired purpose of the integrated circuit package system700. As is evident from the disclosure herein, a second device and a third device may be stacked over the device102to achieve a higher-density form of the integrated circuit package system700. To achieve stacking, various inter-device structures, such as adhesives with or without thermally conducting capabilities, spacers, dummy devices, electromagnetic interference shields for blocking potentially disruptive energy fields, smaller devices, or a combination thereof, may be employed.

Referring now toFIGS. 10 through 12.FIGS. 10 through 12depict similar configurations as to that shown inFIGS. 7 through 9, and consequently, only the differences between the figures will be described, to avoid redundancy.

Embodiment Four

FIG. 10depicts a top view of an integrated circuit package system1000in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of illustration and ease of discussion, the encapsulating material has been removed. The integrated circuit package system1000includes the device102, the support structure104, the corner tie bar105, the electrical interconnect system106, the lead-finger system108, the device bonding pad110, the wire bond112, the recess114, the first low resistivity interface702, a recessed device region1002, a ground ring1004, and a second low resistivity interface1006.

Per this embodiment, the central region of the support structure104is processed to form the recessed device region1002and the top edge or periphery of the support structure104is also processed to include the recess114. The recessed device region1002includes a hollow space large enough to hold the device102. Although the present embodiment depicts the recessed device region1002as square in shape, it is to be understood that the recessed device region1002may include any shape or size that is only limited by its ability to hold the device102. The recessed device region1002helps to reduce the overall thickness profile of the integrated circuit package system1000.

The ground ring1004includes a projection that separates the recess114from the recessed device region1002. The ground ring1004may provide a grounding point for the device102(i.e.—a down bond) or for the lead-finger system (i.e.—a ground bond). To improve electrical connectivity to the ground ring1004, the ground ring1004may be processed to include a layer of material such as the second low resistivity interface1006. By way of example, the second low resistivity interface1006may include a material containing silver. However, the present invention is not to be limited to this example. In accordance with the scope of the present invention, the second low resistivity interface1006may include any type of material that provides a low resistance electrical contact.

This embodiment offers a design variation with increased flexibility for forming down bonds and ground bonds due to the formation of two low resistivity contact regions (i.e.—the first low resistivity interface702and the second low resistivity interface1006) on the support structure104.

Circle11outlines an area that will be blown up for illustration purposes inFIG. 11.

Referring now toFIG. 11, therein is shown an enlarged view of the circle11, ofFIG. 10. This illustration depicts the step-shaped configuration of the recess114located along the top edge of the support structure104, as well as, the hollow space formed by the recessed device region1002. Furthermore, this view depicts how the ground ring1004separates the recess114from the recessed device region1002. This design variation offers increased down bond and ground bond formation flexibility (i.e.—by forming the first low resistivity interface702and the second low resistivity interface1006), while still providing enough mold flow force adjustment to prevent lifting of the support structure104. The wire bond(s)112may connect the device102, ofFIG. 10, to the ground ring1004and to the lead-finger system108. The wire bond(s)112may also connect the lead-finger system108to the recess114.

Referring now toFIG. 12, therein is shown a cross sectional view of the structure ofFIG. 10taken along line12-12. The integrated circuit package system1000includes the device102, the support structure104, the electrical interconnect system106, the lead-finger system108, the wire bond112, the device adhesive300, the support structure bottom side304, the recessed device region1002, the ground ring1004, and an encapsulation material1200. The wire bond112is shown as a hidden line due to the encapsulation material1200.

This view also illustrates the step-shaped configuration of the recess114formed along the top edge of the support structure104, as well as, the hollow space formed by the recessed device region1002. As is evident from the disclosure herein, the mold flow stresses encountered during encapsulation are directed downwards due to the step-shaped configuration of the recess114, and consequently, the incidences of lifting of the support structure104are greatly reduced.

Referring now toFIG. 13, therein is shown a flow chart of an integrated circuit package system1300for the integrated circuit package system100,400,700and1000, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The integrated circuit package system1300includes providing an electrical interconnect system including a support structure and a lead-finger system in a block1302; and processing a top edge of the support structure to include a recess for preventing mold bleed in a block1304.

It has been discovered that the present invention thus has numerous aspects. A principle aspect is that the present invention helps to prevent lifting of the support structure during mold flow and subsequent mold bleed. The present invention achieves this by designing a recess to constructively manipulate the forces encountered during mold flow, thereby preventing lift of the support structure.

Another aspect of the present invention is the improved interlocking between the encapsulation material and the electrical interconnect system. By forming the recesses within the support structure, the encapsulation material is better able to secure itself to the electrical interconnect system, thereby reducing the incidence of delamination.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is that it provides increased flexibility for attachment of down bonds and ground bonds. The present invention achieves this aspect by providing low resistivity contact locations for forming these bonds.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is that it helps to eliminate the post-processing step of mold flash removal.

Thus, it has been discovered that the integrated circuit package system of the present invention furnishes important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional aspects for preventing mold bleed problems associated with support structure lift during mold flow. The resulting processes and configurations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile and effective, can be implemented by adapting known technologies, and are thus readily suited for efficiently and economically manufacturing integrated circuit package devices.