Semiconductor package device

A semiconductor package device includes a substrate, an antenna and a conductor. The substrate has an upper surface. The antenna is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. The conductor is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and surrounds the antenna. The conductor has a first surface facing toward the antenna and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface of the conductor is spaced apart from the upper surface of the substrate.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor package device, and to a semiconductor package device including an antenna array.

2. Description of the Related Art

Wireless communication devices, such as cell phones, or vehicle radars, can include antennas for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. In some applications, the size of the antenna, transmission quality and the transmission distance can be important parameters for designing an antenna. With the continuous development of mobile communication and pressing demand for high data rate and stable communication quality, high frequency wireless transmission (e.g., at 28 GHz or at 60 GHz) can be important. It may be desirable to provide an antenna array with a larger gain and a better heat dissipation.

SUMMARY

In some aspects according to some embodiments, a semiconductor package device includes a substrate, an antenna and a conductor. The substrate has an upper surface. The antenna is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. The conductor is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and surrounds the antenna. The conductor has a first surface facing toward the antenna and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface of the conductor is spaced apart from the upper surface of the substrate.

In some aspects according to some embodiments, a semiconductor package device includes a substrate, an antenna, a conductor and a connection element. The substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface. The antenna is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. The conductor is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and surrounding the antenna. The connection element is disposed between the conductor and the upper surface of the substrate and connects the conductor to the upper surface of the substrate.

In some aspects according to some embodiments, a semiconductor package device includes a substrate, an antenna and a conductive frame. The substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface. The antenna is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. The conductive frame is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and surrounds the antenna.

In some aspects according to some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor package device includes providing a substrate including an upper surface; disposing an antenna on the upper surface of the substrate; and disposing a conductor on the upper surface of the substrate to surround the antenna.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same or similar components. The present disclosure can be readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1Aillustrates a perspective view of a semiconductor package device1in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The semiconductor package device1includes a substrate10, an antenna11, a conductor12and an electronic component13.

The substrate10may include, for example, a printed circuit board, such as a paper-based copper foil laminate, a composite copper foil laminate, or a polymer-impregnated glass-fiber-based copper foil laminate. The substrate10may include an interconnection structure (or electrical connection), such as a redistribution layer (RDL) or a grounding element. The substrate has a surface101and a surface102opposite to the surface101. In some embodiments, the surface101of the substrate10is referred to as an upper surface or a first surface and the surface102of the substrate10is referred to as a lower surface or a second surface. In some embodiments, the substrate10may include multiple layers (e.g., metal layers), and the layers can be electrically connected through one or more interconnection structures10v(e.g., vias). In some embodiments, the substrate10includes a ground layer10gdisposed between the surface101of the substrate10and the surface102of the substrate10. In some embodiments, the surface101of the substrate10and the ground layer10gof the substrate10are electrically connected through one or more of the interconnection structures10v. In some embodiments, one or more of the interconnection structures10vextend from the surface101of the substrate10to at least the ground layer10g. In some embodiments, the substrate10may include electrical contacts10b(e.g., solder bumps) on the surface102to provide electrical connections between the semiconductor package device1and other circuits or electrical devices.

The antenna11is disposed on the surface101of the substrate10. In some embodiments, the antenna11includes a single antenna element. In some embodiments, the antenna11may include multiple antenna elements. For example, the antenna11may include an array including a patch antenna, a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna or the like. In some embodiments, the antenna11may include an M×N array of antenna elements, where M or N is an integer greater than 1. In some embodiments, M can be the same as or different from N depending on design specifications. For example, the antenna11may include a 4×4 array of antenna elements. For example, the antenna11may include a 4×1 array of antenna elements.

The conductor12is disposed on the surface101of the substrate10. The conductor12may be referred to herein as a “conductive frame.” The conductor12is adjacent to and disposed around the antenna11. For example, the conductor12surrounds the antenna11. For example, the conductor12is disposed at the periphery of the antenna11. For example, the conductor12includes four sheets12a,12b,12cand12d, disposed at respective edges of the antenna11. In some embodiments, there is gap between one or more pairs of adjacent sheets of the conductor12. For example, there are respective gaps between the sheets12aand12b, the sheets12band12d, the sheets12dand12cor the sheets12cand12a. In some embodiments, the gaps are located adjacent to respective corners of the antenna11. In some embodiments, the conductor12includes one or more metals, metal alloys, or other conductive materials.

As shown inFIG. 1B, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor package device1along the y-direction inFIG. 1A, each sheet of the conductor12has a surface121(also referred to as first surface) facing toward the antenna11(e.g. a surface121on an antenna side of the sheet of the conductor12, which need not directly face the antenna11) and a surface122(also referred to as second surface) opposite to the surface121. In some embodiments, there is a distance between the surface121and the surface122. For example, the sheet of the conductor12has a thickness. The surface122faces toward the surface101of the substrate10, directly or indirectly, and is spaced apart from the surface101of the substrate10. In some embodiments, the surface121of each sheet of the conductor12includes an electromagnetic-reflective surface. For example, the surface121can reflect one or more electromagnetic waves radiated by the antenna11, so as to direct the electromagnetic waves in a predetermined direction (e.g., in the z-direction shown inFIG. 1A), which can increase the radiation efficiency (or the gain) of the antenna11. In some embodiments, the surface122of each sheet of the conductor12includes a thermal dissipation surface, so as to increase the heat dissipation of the semiconductor package device1. In some embodiments, a roughness of the surface121is different from a roughness of the surface122. For example, the roughness of the surface121is less than the roughness of the surface122(e.g. the roughness of the surface121is about 0.9 or less, about 0.8 or less, or about 0.7 or less times the roughness of the surface122). In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 1B, an angle θ1defined by the surface101of the substrate10and the surface122of the conductor12is greater than 0 degrees and is less than or equal to about 90 degrees, such as greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to about 80 degrees.

In some embodiments, the conductor12is spaced apart from the surface101of the substrate10(e.g. does not directly contact the surface101of the substrate10). The conductor12may include a first terminal that is adjacent to the surface101of the substrate10, and a second terminal opposite to the first terminal. The first terminal may be electrically connected to an interconnection structure10v, and/or may be electrically connected to a grounding element disposed in the substrate10that is exposed by the surface101. There may be a distance between the surface101of the substrate10and the first terminal of the conductor12that is adjacent to the surface101of the substrate10. For example, as shown inFIG. 1B, a connection member12s(e.g., a soldering layer or an electrically conductive adhesive layer) is disposed between the conductor12and the surface101of the substrate10. The connection member12sconnects the first terminal of the conductor12that is adjacent to the surface101of the substrate10to the substrate10.

The electronic component13is disposed on the surface102of the substrate10. In some embodiments, the electronic component13is electrically connected to the antenna11through the interconnection structure10v(which can function as a feeding element) within the substrate10. The electronic component13may include a chip or a die including a semiconductor substrate, one or more integrated circuit devices and one or more overlying interconnection structures therein. The integrated circuit devices may include active devices such as transistors and/or passive devices such resistors, capacitors, inductors, or a combination thereof. The electronic component13may be electrically connected to the substrate10(e.g., to conductive pads of the substrate10or disposed on the substrate10), and electrical connection may be attained by way of flip-chip or wire-bond techniques.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a perspective view of a semiconductor package device2in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The semiconductor package device2is similar to the semiconductor package device1inFIG. 1A, and one of the differences therebetween is that the conductor12of the semiconductor package device1includes four sheets12a,12b,12cand12dwhile a conductor22of the semiconductor package device2includes four triangular prisms22a,22b,22cand22d. Although the electronic component13and the electrical contacts10bas shown inFIG. 1Aare not illustrated inFIG. 2A, the electronic component13and the electrical contacts10bcan be added to the semiconductor package device2(e.g., on the surface102of the substrate10) according to design specifications.

The conductor22is disposed on the surface101of the substrate10. The conductor22is adjacent to and disposed around the antenna11. For example, the conductor22surrounds the antenna11. For example, the conductor22is disposed at the periphery of the antenna11. For example, the conductor12includes the four triangular prisms22a,22b,22cand22d, disposed at respective edges of the antenna11. In some embodiments, there is gap between each two adjacent triangular prisms of the conductor22. For example, there is a gap between the triangular prisms22aand22b, the triangular prisms22band22d, the triangular prisms22dand22cor the triangular prisms22cand22a. In some embodiments, the gaps are located adjacent to respective corners of the antenna11.

As shown inFIG. 2B, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor package device2along the y-direction inFIG. 2A, each triangular prism of the conductor22has a surface221(also referred to as first surface) facing toward the antenna11(e.g. a surface221on an antenna side of the sheet of the conductor22, which need not directly face the antenna11), a surface222(also referred to as second surface) adjacent to the surface221and a surface223adjacent to the surface221and to the surface222. In some embodiments, the surface222is substantially perpendicular to the surface101of the substrate10. In some embodiments, the surface223is substantially parallel to the surface101of the substrate10and, for example, spaced apart from the surface101of the substrate10by a connection element22s(e.g., a soldering layer including solder material, or an electrically conductive adhesive layer). In some embodiments, the surface221of the conductor22includes an electromagnetic-reflective surface. For example, the surface221can reflect one or more electromagnetic waves radiated by the antenna11, so as to direct the electromagnetic waves in a predetermined direction (e.g., in the z-direction shown inFIG. 2A), which can increase the radiation efficiency (or the gain) of the antenna11. In some embodiments, the surface222of the conductor22includes a thermal dissipation surface, so as to increase the heat dissipation of the semiconductor package device2. In some embodiments, a roughness of the surface221is different from a roughness of the surface222. For example, the roughness of the surface221is less than the roughness of the surface222(e.g. the roughness of the surface221is about 0.9 or less, about 0.8 or less, or about 0.7 or less times the roughness of the surface222). In some embodiments, an angle defined by the surface101and the surface221can be less than 180 degrees and greater than or equal to about 90 degrees, such as less than 180 degrees and greater than or equal to about 100 degrees.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2C, the semiconductor package device2may further include a package body29on the surface101of the substrate10and covering the antenna11and at least a portion of the conductor22. In some embodiments, a top portion of the conductor22is exposed from the package body29. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2D, a package body29′ may selectively cover a portion of the conductor22and may expose a top portion of the conductor22, the surface221of the conductor22, and the antenna11. In some embodiments, the package body29or29′ includes an epoxy resin having fillers dispersed therein.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of a semiconductor package device3in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The semiconductor package device3is similar to the semiconductor package device1inFIG. 1A, and one of the differences therebetween is that the conductor12of the semiconductor package device1includes four sheets12a,12b,12cand12d, while a conductor32(including four sheets32a,32b,32cand32d) of the semiconductor package device3further includes a plurality of fin structures32fadjacent to the surface101of the substrate10and the surface122of the conductor12as shown inFIG. 1A. The fin structures32fare disposed on the surface101of the substrate10and connected to the surface122of the conductor12as shown inFIG. 1A. Compared with the conductor12inFIG. 1A, the fin structures32fof the conductor32may further improve the heat dissipation of the semiconductor package device3. Although the electronic component13and the electrical contacts10bas shown inFIG. 1Aare not illustrated inFIG. 3, the electronic component13and the electrical contacts10bcan be added to the semiconductor package device3(e.g., on the surface102of the substrate10) according to design specifications.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor package device4in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The semiconductor package device4is similar to the semiconductor package device1inFIG. 1A, and one of the differences therebetween is that inFIG. 1A, the electronic component13is disposed on the surface102of the substrate10while inFIG. 4, the electronic component13is disposed on the surface101of the substrate10. The electronic component13is disposed adjacent to the antenna, which is disposed on the surface101of the substrate10and surrounded by a conductor42. The electronic component13is separated from the antenna11by the conductor42(e.g. the conductor42is disposed between the electronic component13and the antenna11). The electronic component13is electrically connected to the electronic component13through a feeding line10fwithin the substrate10. In some embodiments, the conductor42can be the same as any of the conductor12inFIG. 1A, the conductor22inFIG. 2Aand the conductor32inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4Billustrates a perspective view of a portion of the semiconductor package device4circled by a dotted-line square4A shown inFIG. 4Ain accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The feeding line10fis extended within the substrate10and connects the antenna11to the electronic component13as shown inFIG. 4B. In some embodiments, the interconnection structures10vinclude a plurality of vias, and the feeding line10fcan connect the antenna11to the electronic component13through a gap between vias of the plurality of vias. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 4C, one or more interconnection structures10v′ may include a plurality of metal plates (e.g., which can function as compartment shielding) within the substrate10. At least one of the metal plates defines an aperture10h, so that the feeding line10fcan connect the antenna11to the electronic component13through the aperture10h.

FIG. 5A,FIG. 5BandFIG. 5Cillustrate a method for manufacturing the semiconductor package device1as shown inFIG. 1B, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method shown inFIG. 5A,FIG. 5BandFIG. 5Ccan be used to manufacture other semiconductor package devices, such as semiconductor package device2,3or4described herein.

Referring toFIG. 5A, a substrate10is provided, and an antenna11is disposed on a surface101of the substrate10. In some embodiments, the substrate10may include a grounding element exposed from the surface101of the substrate10.

Referring toFIG. 5B, a conductor12is disposed on the surface101of the substrate10to surround the antenna11. For example, the conductor12is disposed at the periphery of the antenna11. In some embodiments, the conductor12is connected to the ground element exposed from the surface101of the substrate10by a connection member12s(e.g., including a soldering material). In some embodiments, in the operation ofFIG. 5B, the conductor12can be replaced by any of the conductors22and32as shown inFIG. 2BandFIG. 3.

Referring toFIG. 5C, an electronic component10band an electronic component13are provided (e.g. formed or disposed) on the surface102of the substrate10to form the semiconductor package device1inFIG. 1B. In some embodiments, the electronic component13can be formed on the surface101of the substrate10to form the semiconductor package device4inFIG. 4A. For example, the electronic component13can be formed adjacent to the antenna and separated from the antenna by the conductor.

Additionally, amounts, ratios, and other numerical values are sometimes presented herein in a range format. Such range formats are used for convenience and brevity, and should be understood flexibly to include not only numerical values explicitly specified as limits of a range, but also all individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly specified.

In the description of some embodiments, a component provided “on” or “over” another component can encompass cases where the former component is directly on (e.g., in physical contact with) the latter component, as well as cases where one or more intervening components are located between the former component and the latter component.