Current sensor packages with through hole in semiconductor

A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die. A through hole in the semiconductor package and semiconductor die extends from one side of the semiconductor package and die to an opposite side of the semiconductor package and die. The through hole is configured to receive a current-carrying conductor there through. At least one current sensor is formed in, or on, the semiconductor die and configured to sense current flow in the current-carrying conductor received in the through hole.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to current sensor packages for monitoring current flow in electronic circuits.

BACKGROUND

In many semiconductor device and circuit applications (e.g., power circuits such as invertors, switches, transformers, etc.), it is desirable to measure current flows through the semiconductor devices and circuits. Semiconductor device and circuit packages are become smaller and smaller (e.g., because of increasing miniaturization). For example, many high voltage electronics packages or systems (“HV systems”) are now size, space or weight constrained. Compact alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) sensors are required, which minimize power losses in the system while improving measurement accuracy. Apart from the size and performance requirements for use with HV systems, the current sensors are also constrained to function under conditions of HV galvanic isolation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, a semiconductor device and/or circuits package is a metal, plastic, epoxy, glass and/or ceramic casing containing one or more semiconductor electronic and/or circuit components. Individual discrete components are typically disposed in and/or on a semiconductor substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer, semiconductor region and/or epitaxial layer(s)) before being cut as a die and assembled (e.g., molded) in a package. The package provides protection against impact and corrosion, and holds the contact pins and/or leads that are used to connect from external circuits to the die and dissipate heat produced in the package.

Compact semiconductor device and/or circuit packages (sensor packages) that include current sensors are described herein. The sensor packages may be used for measuring current flow in other circuits (host circuits). The sensor packages may be configured, for example, to sense current flowing in current-carrying input and/or output wires of the host circuits. The host circuits may include, for example, electronic circuits for inverters, power distribution, starter-generators, servo-regulators, line connected power supplies, solar energy power supplies, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), robotics, etc.

A sensor package may be included in, and/or integrated with, a host circuit. In example implementations, the sensor package may be mounted on a circuit board of the host circuit. The sensor package may be disposed on the circuit board of the host circuit to sense current flowing in a current-carrying input and/or output wire of the host circuit having, for example, an input and/or output terminal at the circuit board.

The sensor package (including the current sensor) may help in providing galvanic isolation between the electrical components and functions of the semiconductor devices and electronic components in the host circuit.

A compact current sensor may be formed in, and/or supported on, a semiconductor substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer, semiconductor region and/or epitaxial layer(s)) or made of other solid state materials. The current sensors may include any type of current sensors including, for example, Hall effect sensors, inductive current sensors (e.g., Rogowski current sensors), flux gate sensors, etc.

Sensor packages that include one or both of two or more types of compact current sensors (namely, Hall effect current sensors and Rogowski current sensors) are described in further detail herein. The current sensors described herein may be included in, supported on, or coupled to the semiconductor die.

A Hall effect current sensor may be based on the Hall Effect (i.e., the production of a voltage difference (the Hall effect voltage) across a current carrying sensor element (e.g., a Hall slab or plate) in presence of a magnetic field, the voltage difference being perpendicular to both current and the magnetic field). A Hall effect current sensor includes integrated circuits that sense current flow in a current-carrying conductor by measuring the proportional magnetic field generated by the current flow in the current-carrying conductor. The Hall effect current sensor may be used to sense direct current (DC) flowing through the current-carrying conductor (that produces the proportional magnetic field).

A Hall effect current sensor including one or more current sensor elements (e.g., Hall slabs or plates) may be fabricated, for example, by dopant diffusion, in a semiconductor die. Depending on an orientation of the current sensor elements (e.g., Hall slabs or plates) relative to the orientation of the semiconductor die (and the direction of current flow in the current-carrying conductor), the Hall effect current sensor may be referred to, for example, as a horizontal Hall effect current sensor or a vertical Hall effect current sensor.

In a horizontal Hall effect current sensor, a current sensor element (e.g., a Hall slab or plate) may be generally aligned parallel to the major surfaces of the semiconductor die and configured to sense current flow components parallel to the major surfaces of the semiconductor die. The Hall slab or plate of the horizontal Hall effect current sensor may be formed, for example, by shallow dopant diffusions into the semiconductor material of the semiconductor die.

In a vertical Hall effect current sensor, a current sensor element (e.g., Hall slab or plate) may be generally aligned perpendicular to the major surface of the semiconductor die and configured to sense current flow components normal to the major surfaces of the semiconductor die. The Hall slab or plate of the vertical Hall effect current sensor may be formed, for example, by deep dopant diffusions into the semiconductor material of the semiconductor die. A vertical Hall effect current sensor may include two such vertically oriented Hall slab or plates, oriented orthogonally to one another, to provide three axis sensing capability (or to account for current flow that is not perfectly normal to the major surfaces of the semiconductor die).

An inductive current sensor (e.g., a Rogowski current sensor) may involve measurements of voltages induced in a Rogowski coil (i.e., a helical coil wrapped around a conductor in which a current is flowing) to sense alternating current (AC) flowing through the conductor. The Rogowski current sensor includes integrated circuits that sense current flow in a current-carrying conductor by measuring the proportional voltages induced in the Rogowski coil.

In example implementations, a current sensor described herein is deployed to sense and measure current flow in a conductor (i.e., a current-carrying conductor) in situ in the host circuit. The current-carrying conductor may be an internal conductor (e.g., a wire connecting two internal components in the host circuit) or may be an internal-external conductor (e.g., an input and/or output wire extending to the outside of the host circuit package and/or circuit board).

In example implementations, a current sensor described herein (e.g., a Hall effect current sensor, or a Rogowski current sensor) is fabricated on a semiconductor die, which is included in the sensor package. A Hall effect current sensor may, for example, include a set of high density coils (and optional ferro magnetic core) attached to a top surface of the semiconductor die. A Rogowski current sensor may, for example, include a set of Rogowski coils disposed or formed on the top surface of the semiconductor die.

In example implementations, the semiconductor die of the current sensor (semiconductor die) may be placed next to, surround, or enclose the current-carrying conductor in which current flow is to be sensed or monitored. The semiconductor die may be packaged in a sensor package (e.g., a TO-220 style electronic component package). In example implementations, the sensor package (and the semiconductor die) may include an opening (e.g., a pass through hole) extending across the sensor package from one side of the sensor package to the other side of the sensor package. The current-carrying conductor may be disposed in the pass through hole to be next to, or surrounded by, the semiconductor die.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of an example current-sensor semiconductor die (e.g., semiconductor die130) packaged (e.g., molded) in a sensor package160. Sensor package160may, for example, be a chip package (e.g., a TO-220 package) including semiconductor die130with lead frames (e.g., lead frame140) that can carry signals from the die to the outside. Semiconductor die130may be coupled to a current sensor132(e.g., a Hall effect current sensor, a Rogowski current sensor). Semiconductor die130has an opening or pass through hole131(also can be referred to as an opening) that extends from one side of the semiconductor die to an opposite side of the semiconductor die130(such that the pass through hole131is aligned along a line orthogonal to (or normal to) a primary plane aligned along a major surface of semiconductor die130). Pass through hole131may include, or be otherwise aligned with, a corresponding pass through hole133in lead frame140attached to semiconductor die130. Sensor package160has an opening or pass through hole161(also can be referred to as an opening) that extends from one side of the sensor package to an opposite side of the sensor package. Holes131and161may have the same or different cross-sectional shapes and/or sizes (e.g., different or the same cross-sectional diameters). Pass through hole131in the semiconductor die (and pass through hole133in lead frame140) may be aligned (e.g., coaxially aligned) with pass through hole161so that a current-carrying conductor (e.g., a wire120) can extend from one side of the sensor package to the other side of the sensor package via pass through holes131,133and161. The sizes (e.g., diameters) of the pass through holes may be larger than a size (e.g., diameter) of wire120to provide a clearance (e.g., air gap135) between the hole sidewalls and the diameter of wire120so that wire120can be threaded through the holes from one side of the sensor package to the other side of the sensor package. Wire120threaded through the holes in the sensor package may, for example, carry a current (e.g., current122) which can be sensed and/or monitored by the current sensor in semiconductor die130.

Semiconductor die130(including the active and passive integrated circuit elements and the physical holes therein) and current sensor package160may be fabricated using processes that are the same as, or similar to, semiconductor device fabrication and packaging processes used in the microelectronics industry. In example implementation, several semiconductor die may be fabricated on a silicon wafer. The silicon wafer may be diced or singulated (e.g., using plasma singulation, or laser cutting) to pick up individual semiconductor die130, which may be then packaged in current sensor package160. In current sensor package160, a mold compound (e.g., epoxy165) may cover or coat exposed surfaces semiconductor die130. Epoxy165may, in some instances, coat or line the sidewalls of pass through hole131,133, and161to a thickness that leaves clearance for threading wire120through the holes.

In example implementations, the current sensor package160may be mounted on a same circuit board as the host circuit. In such implementations, current sensor package160(and semiconductor die130and current sensor132therein) is galvanically isolated from the current-carrying conductor (e.g., wire120). Wire insulation and/or other insulating material134(e.g., disposed in hole131of semiconductor die130) may galvanically isolate the current-carrying conductor from the current sensor, the semiconductor die, and the current sensor package).

In example implementations, semiconductor die of the current sensor may include signal processing circuits (e.g., amplifiers, integrators, summers, etc.) for processing signals (e.g., Hall effect voltage signals) sensed by the current sensor. In example implementations an output of the current sensor (e.g., a voltage differential from a Hall effect sensor) may be used as feedback, for example, to control operation of the host circuit.

An example sensor package deployment includes a current carrying conductor disposed at least partially through the sensor package (e.g., through a hole in the sensor package). A current sensor is disposed in the sensor package and configured to sense current flow in the current carrying conductor. Electrical insulation is disposed between the current carrying conductor and the sensor package. The electrical insulation confines current flow in the current carrying conductor to the current carrying conductor and blocks passage of current flow from the current carrying conductor (e.g., by leakage) to conductive pathways (metallization and conductive interconnections) of the sensor package itself.

FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, and 9Aare cross sectional views of current sensor packages deployed to sense current flowing a conductor wire, andFIGS. 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, and 9Bare plan views of current sensor packages deployed to sense current flowing a conductor wire (e.g., sensor packages260,360,460,560,660,760,860and960). The current sensor packages can be deployed to sense current flowing through a conductor (e.g., a wire) of a host circuit (e.g., an electronic circuit for an inverter, power distribution, starter-generator, servo-regulator, line connected power supply, solar energy power supply, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), robotics, etc.).

Each of the current sensor packages shown inFIGS. 2A through 9A(e.g., sensor packages260,360,460,560,660,760,860and960) is a pass through package with an opening or hole (e.g., hole161,FIG. 1) extending from one side of the package to an opposite side of the package. Current sensing elements (e.g., of a Hall effect current sensor, a Rogowski current sensor, etc.) are disposed in the sensor package around the hole or opening. Each of the current sensor packages may be deployed so that the current-carrying conductor (current flowing through which is to be sensed) passes through the opening or hole (e.g., hole161,FIG. 1) from one side of the package to the opposite side of the package.

In each of the sensor package deployments shown inFIGS. 2A through 9A, the host circuit may include a printed circuit board (e.g., a two-sided circuit board150(FIGS. 2A through 8B), or a one-sided circuit board950(FIGS. 9A and 9B)).

In the sensor package deployments (of sensor packages260,360,460,560,660,760,860) shown inFIGS. 2A through 8B, the conductor (e.g., wire120) in which current flow is to be sensed may, for example, have one end affixed at a terminal153on a first side of two-sided circuit board150. Wire120may extend from terminal153through an opening or hole151in the circuit board to the other side (second side) of the circuit board. Terminal153may be formed, for example, by solder material disposed on contact pads152on the first side of board. Hole151may be filled with insulating material (e.g., an epoxy, a rubber and/or plastic grommet, etc.). Wire120may be, or may include, an insulated electrical wire with an insulating wire jacket or cover121made of insulating materials such as plastic, rubber-like polymers, and/or varnish.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bshow an example deployment of a current sensor package260on circuit board150to sense current flow in wire120. Sensor package260may, for example, be a chip package (e.g., a TO-220 package) including a semiconductor die230with lead frames (e.g., lead frame140) that can carry signals from the die to the outside. In sensor package260, a mold compound (e.g., epoxy265) may cover or coat exposed surfaces semiconductor die230. Sensor package260may be mounted on one side of circuit board150with lead frame140connected to one or more terminals such as terminal154(which may be formed by solder and/or other conductive material) on the outside of circuit board150.

In example implementations, current sensor package260may include a Hall effect current-sensor semiconductor die230to which magnetic field concentrator coils110are attached. Magnetic field concentrator coils110may optionally include a ferrite core111.

Semiconductor die230(and coils110) may include an opening or hole231extending from one side of the semiconductor die to the opposite side of the semiconductor die. Opening131may be aligned (e.g., coaxially aligned) with opening261in sensor package to accommodate wire120. Wire120may extend from terminal153on circuit board150to the outside of sensor package260(e.g., toward portions of the host circuit (not shown)) through opening231in the semiconductor die and opening261in sensor package160. In example implementations, wire120is galvanically isolated from sensor package260by insulating materials (including, for example, epoxy mold compound used in packaging and/or insulating wire jacket121) disposed in openings231,151and261. In some instances, some segments of wire120may be galvanically isolated from sensor package260by air spacing or gaps between wire120and the surfaces of sensor package260in openings231,151and261.

Hall effect current-sensor semiconductor die230may include active and passive integrated circuit elements (not shown) for sensing and processing Hall effect voltage signals in the semiconductor die that are responsive to current flow in wire120.

Magnetic field concentrator coils110may focus magnetic flux lines (which are generated by current flow in wire120) for measurement by the sensing elements of the semiconductor die. Focusing the magnetic flux lines may serve to enhance the device's sensitivity.

One or more bonded wire connections such as bonded wire connection141(which may be bonded to contact pads (not shown) on semiconductor die230) may carry signals from semiconductor die230to the outside via lead frame140.

Lead frame140may extend from inside of sensor package260to a free end for mounting on circuit board150. The free end of lead frame140may, for example, be attached to circuit board150at terminal154formed, for example, by solder material or other conductive adhesive material. In example sensor package deployments, lead frame140extending from inside of the sensor package may be geometrically bent for attachment to circuit board so that the sensor package has an orientation (e.g., generally parallel to circuit board150) in which the sensor package openings (e.g., openings231and261) are axially aligned (e.g., generally perpendicular to circuit board150) with wire120. In an alternate sensor package deployment configuration, lead frame140may not be geometrically bent and may extend perpendicularly from the circuit board150. In this alternate sensor package deployment configuration, wire120, nonetheless, passes through sensor package opening261(which may be aligned generally parallel to circuit board150).

In some implementations, as shown inFIG. 2A, coils110may be attached to, or fabricated on, a surface233of semiconductor die230.

In some implementations, (as shown, e.g., inFIG. 3A,FIG. 6AandFIG. 9A) coils110may be inserted (partially or fully) and soldered into a cutout in the die using, for example, a pick and place tool. Fabricating or inserting coils110in the die as shown in may facilitate interconnects between coils110and the top surface of the die and may result in a lower package height.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bshow an example current sensor package360including a Hall effect current-sensor semiconductor die330in which magnetic field transducer or concentrator coils110are inserted in a cutout333in the die. Sensor package360, like sensor package260, may, for example, be a TO-220 package with lead frames (e.g., lead frame140) that can carry signals from the die to the outside. In sensor package360, a mold compound (e.g., epoxy365) may cover or coat exposed surfaces semiconductor die330. A vertical height (in a direction generally perpendicular to circuit board150) of current sensor package360with coils110inserted cutout333in semiconductor die330is seen (FIG. 3A) to be smaller than the vertical height of current sensor package260with coils110attached to surface233semiconductor die230(FIG. 2A).

FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow an example deployment of another current sensor package460on circuit board150to sense current flowing in wire120. Current sensor package460may include a Rogowski-type sensor with Rogowski coils410formed on, or in, a semiconductor die430(FIG. 4B). Semiconductor die430includes an opening or hole431extending from one side of the semiconductor die to the opposite side of the semiconductor die. In sensor package460, a mold compound (e.g., epoxy465) may cover or coat exposed surfaces semiconductor die430.

Sensor package460, like sensor packages260and360, may, for example, be a TO-220 package with lead frames (e.g., lead frame140) that can carry signals from the die to the outside. Semiconductor die430may include active and passive integrated circuit elements (not shown) for sensing and processing Rogowski coil signals in the semiconductor die that are responsive to current flow in wire120. Bonded wire connection141(which may be bonded to contact pads (not shown) on semiconductor die430) may carry signals from semiconductor die430to the outside via lead frame140. Like sensor package260(FIG. 2A), sensor package460may be mounted on one side of circuit board150with lead frame140connected to a terminal154on the outside of circuit board150. Opening431may be aligned (e.g., coaxially aligned) with opening461in the sensor package to accommodate wire120. Wire120is galvanically isolated from sensor package460by insulating materials (including, for example, insulating wire jacket121) disposed in openings431,151and461.

In addition to the galvanic isolation provided by insulating materials between wire120and sensor package components, high voltage hazard in the sensor package deployments may be reduced, for example, by increasing a creepage distance between conductive elements over the insulating surface of circuit board150. As shown for example inFIG. 4A, the creepage distance D1between terminal153and terminal154may be increased by introducing a gap, a slot, and/or a cut155in circuit board150between terminal153and terminal154.

In example implementations, as shown inFIG. 4B, semiconductor die430may have a hexagonal shape cross section (e.g., in a plane parallel to a major surface of the die), which may be conducive to alignment of components (including, e.g., another die (not shown)) when assembling sensor package460. Since hexagonal close packing is mathematically the most efficient packing shape, use of hexagonal-shape semiconductor die430can maximize the number of die that are obtained per wafer (e.g., when fabricating circuits having a generally “round” shape such as the circular inductive coils printed in the die).

FIGS. 5A and 5Bshow an example deployment of another current sensor package560on circuit board150to sense current flowing in wire120. Current sensor package560may include a vertical Hall effect current sensor511(with a vertical orientation of Hall plates) in combination with Rogowski coils510formed on, or in, a semiconductor die530. Vertical Hall effect current sensor511may, for example, integrate active and passive integrated circuit elements (e.g., a Hall effect voltage generator, a small-signal amplifier, chopper stabilization, a Schmitt trigger, and one or more NMOS outputs, etc.) on semiconductor die530. The combination of the vertical Hall sensor and the Rogowski coils may allow current sensor package560to be used to concurrently sense both AC and DC current flows through wire120.

Like semiconductor dies230,330and430, semiconductor die530may include an opening or hole531extending from one side of the semiconductor die to the opposite side of the semiconductor die and aligned with opening561in semiconductor package560to accommodate wire120there through.

Sensor package560, like sensor packages260,360and460, may, for example, be a TO-220 package with lead frames (e.g., lead frame140) that can carry signals from the die to the outside. Semiconductor die530may include active and passive integrated circuit elements for sensing and processing the vertical sensor (Hall effect) and Rogowski coil signals in the semiconductor die that are responsive to current flow in wire120. In sensor package560, a mold compound (e.g., epoxy565) may cover or coat exposed surfaces semiconductor die530.

Bonded wire connection141(which may be bonded to contact pads (not shown) on semiconductor die530) may carry signals from semiconductor die530to the outside via lead frame140. Like sensor packages260,360and460, sensor package560may be mounted on one side of circuit board150with lead frame140connected to a terminal154on the outside of circuit board150.

In some implementations, a current sensor may be assembled in a wafer level chip scale package (WLCSP) or an optical device chip scale package (ODCSP) using, for example, solder bumps, solder interconnects, or a solderable surface.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bshow an example deployment of a wafer level chip scale package (WLCSP) (e.g., sensor package660) on circuit board150to sense current flowing in wire120. Sensor package660may include a Hall effect sensor semiconductor die630with magnetic field transducer or concentrator coils110(optionally including ferrite core111) inserted in a cutout in semiconductor die630. Coils110(e.g., copper coils) may be soldered into the die using a pick/place tool prior to when backside protective coatings are attached. A surface of semiconductor die630and coils110may be coated with a backside coating material (e.g., epoxy coating layer665). In example implementations, coils110may be fabricated in situ in, or on, the die.

Semiconductor die630(and coils110) may include an opening or pass through hole631extending from one side of the semiconductor die to the opposite side of the semiconductor die. Hole631may be aligned with hole661in sensor package660that extends from one side of the sensor package to the opposite side of the sensor package to accommodate wire120there through.

Semiconductor die630(like the other semiconductor dies230-530) may include active and passive integrated circuit elements (not shown) for sensing and processing Hall effect voltage signals in the semiconductor die that are responsive to current flow in wire120. Solder bumps640(which may be bonded or soldered to contact pads641on die430and contact pads642on circuit board150) may carry signals from semiconductor die630(and coil110) to the outside. In some implementations, semiconductor die630may include through-silicon-vias (TSVs) (not shown) that may assist in the routing of the electrical circuits and interconnections, for example, between the top and bottom sides of semiconductor die630.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow an example deployment of a modified optical device chip scale package (ODCSP) (e.g., sensor package760) on circuit board150to sense current flowing in wire120. This package is an example of a semiconductor die which has electrically conductive paths (not shown) on the sides of the semiconductor die730which connect the top and bottom major surfaces, or contact pads741to743. Sensor package760may include a Hall effect current-sensor semiconductor die730to which magnetic field transducer or concentrator coils110(optionally including ferrite core111) may be soldered on contact pads743. Coils110may be soldered on contact pads743using a pick/place tool either before or after mounting current sensor package760on circuit board150. In sensor package760, a mold compound (e.g., epoxy765) may cover or coat exposed surfaces semiconductor die730.

Semiconductor die730(and coils110) may include a pass through opening or hole731extending from one side of the semiconductor die to the opposite side of the semiconductor die to accommodate wire120.

Semiconductor die730(like the other semiconductor dies230-630) may include active and passive integrated circuit elements (not shown) for sensing and processing Hall effect voltage signals in the semiconductor die that are responsive to current flow in wire120. Solder bumps740(which may be bonded or soldered to contact pads741on die730and contact pads742on circuit board150) may carry signals from semiconductor die730(and coil110) to the outside.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bshow an example deployment of a modified molded optical device chip scale package (ODCSP) (e.g., sensor package860) on circuit board150to sense current flow in wire120. Sensor package860may include a Hall effect current-sensor semiconductor die830packaged in a molding865. Magnetic field transducer or concentrator coils110(optionally including ferrite core111) may be soldered on contact pads843on semiconductor die830using a pick/place tool either before or after mounting current sensor package860on circuit board150. A surface of semiconductor die830and coils110may be coated with a backside coating material (e.g., epoxy coating layer865).

Semiconductor die830(and coils110) may include a pass through opening or hole831extending from one side of the semiconductor die to the opposite side of the semiconductor die to accommodate wire120. Hole831may be aligned with hole861in sensor package860that extends from one side of the sensor package to the opposite side of the sensor package to accommodate wire120there through.

Semiconductor die830(like the other semiconductor dies230-730) may include active and passive integrated circuit elements (not shown) for sensing and processing Hall effect voltage signals in the semiconductor die that are responsive to current flow in wire120. Solder bumps840(which may be bonded or soldered to contact pads841on die830and contact pads842on circuit board150) may carry signals from semiconductor die830(and coils110) to the outside. Electrical contacts on the edges of semiconductor die830are used to connect the electrical pads841to843.

In the various deployments of sensor packages (e.g., sensor packages260,360,460,560,660,760, and860) described above (with reference to, for example,FIGS. 2A through 8AandFIGS. 2B through 8B), a free end of wire120may be inserted or passed through the opening (e.g., opening231) in the semiconductor die (e.g., after the sensor package is placed on circuit board150, which is a two-sided circuit board) and passed through opening151from one side of the circuit board to the other side of the circuit board before being soldered to form terminal153on circuit board150.

FIG. 9AandFIG. 9Bshow an example deployment of a Wafer Level Chip Scaled Package (WLCSP) (e.g., current sensor package960) on single sided circuit board950to sense current flow in wire120. Current sensor package960may include a Hall effect current-sensor semiconductor die930that includes magnetic field transducer or concentrator coils110(optionally including ferrite core111). A surface of semiconductor die930and coils110may be coated with a backside coating material (e.g., epoxy coating layer965).

Opening931in semiconductor die930(and coil110) may include conductive material (e.g., solder)932bounded by an upper contact pad171and a lower contact pad172. Wire120may be attached to upper contact pad171using solder material (e.g., interconnect173), for example, by a customer. A current path (e.g., current path180) through wire120(and through the conductive material in opening931) across semiconductor die930/sensor package960may be completed by a solder bump connection176between lower contact pad172and a contact pad177on circuit board950. In some implementations, semiconductor die930may include through-silicon-vias (TSVs) (not shown) that may assist in the routing of the electrical circuits and interconnections, for example, between the top and bottom sides of semiconductor die930.

Semiconductor die930(like the other semiconductor dies260-860) may include active and passive integrated circuit elements (not shown) for sensing and processing Hall effect voltage signals in the semiconductor die that are responsive to current flow in wire120. Solder bumps940(which may be bonded or soldered to contact pads941on die730and contact pads942on circuit board950) may carry signals from semiconductor die930(and coils110) to the outside.

FIG. 10shows an example method1000for sensing current flow in a conductor wire. Method1000includes coupling a current sensor to a semiconductor die (1010). The current sensor may be, fully or partially, disposed in and/or on the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die has a pass through hole extending from one side of the semiconductor die to an opposite side of the semiconductor die. Method1000further includes disposing the semiconductor die about the conductor wire, for example, by passing the conductor wire passing through the hole in the semiconductor die from the one side of the semiconductor die to the opposite side of the semiconductor die (1020), and detecting, by the current sensor in the semiconductor die, a signal proportional to current flow in the conductor wire passing through the hole in the semiconductor die (1030).

The semiconductor die can be packaged in a sensor package having a pass through hole extending from one side of the sensor package to an opposite side of the sensor package. In method1000, disposing the semiconductor die about the conductor wire1020may include placing the sensor package about the conductor wire with the conductor wire passing through the hole in the sensor package from the one side of the sensor package to the opposite side of the sensor package.

Further, in method1000, detecting the signal proportional to the current flow in the conductor wire passing through the hole in the semiconductor die (1030) includes detecting a Hall effect voltage in a sensor element (e.g., a Hall plate in the semiconductor die) and or detecting an induced voltage in a Rogowski coil.

Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. For example, in the embodiments described with reference to the figures herein, a pass through hole extending from one side of the semiconductor die to an opposite side of the semiconductor die is shown as passing through a center portion of the semiconductor die. However, in alternate forms of the embodiments, a pass through hole may pass through an off-center portion of the semiconductor die. Further, for example, in the embodiments described with reference to the figures herein, a pass through hole extending from one side of the semiconductor die to an opposite side of the semiconductor die is shown as having a generally circular cross section. However, in alternate forms of the embodiments, a pass through hole extending from one side of the semiconductor die to an opposite side of the semiconductor die can have a non-circular (e.g., an oval, a triangular, a square, a rectangular, a quadrilateral, a pentagonal, or a hexagonal shape, etc.) cross section. Further, for example, in the embodiments described with reference to the figures herein, the semiconductor die is shown as having a generally circular shape (except forFIG. 4B, which shows a semiconductor die having a hexagonal shape). However, in alternate forms of the embodiments, the semiconductor die can have a non-circular shape (e.g., an oval, a triangular, a square, a rectangular, a quadrilateral, a pentagonal, or a hexagonal shape, etc.). Some implementations may be implemented using various semiconductor processing and/or packaging techniques. Some implementations may be implemented using various types of semiconductor processing techniques associated with semiconductor substrates including, but not limited to, for example, Silicon (Si), Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Gallium Nitride (GaN), and/or so forth.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a “first” element could be termed a “second” element without departing from the teachings of the present implementations.