# Patent

## Title
Methods of manufacture of top port multi-part surface mount MEMS microphones

## Abstract

Methods for manufacturing multiple top port, surface mount microphones, each containing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone die, are disclosed. Each surface mount microphone features a substrate with metal pads for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between the microphone package and the device's circuit board. The surface mount microphones are manufactured from panels of substrates, sidewall spacers, and lids. Each MEMS microphone die is lid-mounted and acoustically coupled to the acoustic port disposed in the lid. The panels are joined together, and each individual substrate, sidewall spacer, and lid cooperate to form an acoustic chamber for its respective MEMS microphone die. The joined panels are then singulated to form individual MEMS microphones.

## Background
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/841,796 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,633,064), filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/732,232 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,624,387), filed Dec. 31, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/286,558 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,358,004), filed Nov. 1, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/111,537 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,121,331), filed May 19, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/741,881 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,018,049), filed Apr. 30, 2007, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/921,747 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,305), filed Aug. 19, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/886,854 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,910), filed Jun. 21, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/253,543, filed Nov. 28, 2000. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/668,035, filed Nov. 2, 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/668,103, filed Nov. 2, 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/732,120, filed Dec. 31, 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/732,179, filed Dec. 31, 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/732,205, filed Dec. 31, 2012, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/732,232, filed Dec. 31, 2012, are also continuations of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/286,558 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,358,004). These applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes.


TECHNICAL FIELD
This patent relates generally to a housing for a transducer. More particularly, this patent relates to a silicon condenser microphone including a housing for shielding a transducer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There have been a number of disclosures related to building microphone elements on the surface of a silicon die. Certain of these disclosures have come in connection with the hearing aid field for the purpose of reducing the size of the hearing aid unit. While these disclosures have reduced the size of the hearing aid, they have not disclosed how to protect the transducer from outside interferences. For instance, transducers of this type are fragile and susceptible to physical damage. Furthermore, they must be protected from light and electromagnetic interferences. Moreover, they require an acoustic pressure reference to function properly. For these reasons, the silicon die must be shielded.
Some shielding practices have been used to house these devices. For instance, insulated metal cans or discs have been provided. Additionally, DIPs and small outline integrated circuit (SOIC) packages have been utilized. However, the drawbacks associated with manufacturing these housings, such as lead time, cost, and tooling, make these options undesirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a silicon condenser microphone package that allows acoustic energy to contact a transducer disposed within a housing. The housing provides the necessary pressure reference while at the same time protects the transducer from light, electromagnetic interference, and physical damage. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention a silicon condenser microphone includes a transducer and a substrate and a cover forming the housing. The substrate may have an upper surface with a recess formed therein allowing the transducer to be attached to the upper surface and to overlap at least a portion of the recess thus forming a back volume. The cover is placed over the transducer and includes an aperture adapted for allowing sound waves to reach the transducer.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a silicon condenser microphone of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a silicon condenser microphone of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a silicon condenser microphone of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the present invention affixed to an end user circuit board;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the present invention affixed to an end user circuit board in an alternate fashion;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a substrate to which a silicon condenser microphone is fixed;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 14a is a cross-sectional view of a laminated bottom portion of a housing for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 14b is a plan view of a layer of the laminated bottom portion of FIG. 14a; 
FIG. 14c is a plan view of a layer of the laminated bottom portion of FIG. 14a; 
FIG. 14d is a plan view of a layer of the laminated bottom portion of FIG. 14a; 
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a plan view of a side portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a side portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a side portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a side portion for a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention;
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention with a retaining ring;
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention with a retaining wing;
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a microphone package of the present invention with a retaining ring;
FIG. 30 is a plan view of a panel of a plurality of microphone packages; and
FIG. 31 is a plan view of a microphone pair.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several possible embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
The present invention is directed to microphone packages. The benefits of the microphone packages disclosed herein over microphone packaging utilizing plastic body/lead frames include the ability to process packages in panel form allowing more units to be formed per operation and at much lower cost. The typical lead frame for a similarly functioning package would contain between 40 and 100 devices connected together. The present disclosure would have approximately 14,000 devices connected together (as a panel). Also, the embodiments disclosed herein require minimal “hard-tooling” This allows the process to adjust to custom layout requirements without having to redesign mold, lead frame, and trim/form tooling.
Moreover, many of the described embodiments have a better match of thermal coefficients of expansion with the end user's PCB, typically made of FR-4, since the microphone package is also made primarily of FR-4. These embodiments of the invention may also eliminate the need for wire bonding that is required in plastic body/lead frame packages. The footprint is typically smaller than that would be required for a plastic body/lead frame design since the leads may be formed by plating a through-hole in a circuit board to form the pathway to the solder pad. In a typical plastic body/lead frame design, a (gull wing configuration would be used in which the leads widen the overall foot print.
Now, referring to FIGS. 1-3, three embodiments of a silicon condenser microphone package 10 of the present invention are illustrated. Included within silicon microphone package 10 is a transducer 12, e.g. a silicon condenser microphone as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,482 which is hereby incorporated by reference and an amplifier 16. The package itself includes a substrate 14, a back volume or air cavity 18, which provides a pressure reference for the transducer 12, and a cover 20. The substrate 14 may be formed of FR-4 material allowing processing in circuit board panel form, thus taking advantage of economies of scale in manufacturing. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the substrate 14 showing the back volume 18 surrounded a plurality of terminal pads.
The back volume 18 may be formed by a number of methods, including controlled depth drilling of an upper surface 19 of the substrate 14 to form a recess over which the transducer 12 is mounted (FIG. 1); drilling and routing of several individual sheets of FR-4 and laminating the individual sheets to form the back volume 18, which may or may not have internal support posts (FIG. 2); or drilling completely through the substrate 14 and providing a sealing ring 22 on the bottom of the device that will seal the back volume 18 during surface mounting to a user's “board” 28 (FIGS. 3-5). In this example, the combination of the substrate and the user's board 28 creates the back volume 18. The back volume 18 is covered by the transducer 12 (e.g., a MEMS device) which may be “bumpbonded” and mounted face down. The boundary is sealed such that the back volume 18 is operably “air-tight.”
The cover 20 is attached for protection and processability. The cover 20 contains an aperture 24 which may contain a sintered metal insert 26 to prevent water, particles and/or light from entering the package and damaging the internal components inside; i.e. semiconductor chips. The aperture 24 is adapted for allowing sound waves to reach the transducer 12. The sintered metal insert 26 will also have certain acoustic properties, e.g. acoustic damping or resistance. The sintered metal insert 26 may therefore be selected such that its acoustic properties enhance the functional capability of the transducer 12 and/or the overall performance of the silicon microphone 10.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 the final form of the product is a silicon condenser microphone package 10 which would most likely be attached to an end user's PCB 28 via a solder reflow process. FIG. 5 illustrates a method of enlarging the back volume 18 by including a chamber 32 within the end user's circuit board 28.
Another embodiment of a silicon condenser microphone package 40 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7-10. In this embodiment, a housing 42 is formed from layers of materials, such as those used in providing circuit boards. Accordingly, the housing 42 generally comprises alternating layers of conductive and non-conductive materials 44, 46. The non-conductive layers 46 are typically FR-4 board. The conductive layers 44 are typically copper. This multi-layer housing construction advantageously permits the inclusion of circuitry, power and ground planes, solder pads, ground pads, capacitance layers and plated through holes pads within the structure of the housing itself. The conductive layers provide EMI shielding while also allowing configuration as capacitors and/or inductors to filter input/output signals and/or the input power supply.
In the embodiment illustrated, the housing 42 includes a top portion 48 and a bottom portion 50 spaced by a side portion 52. The housing 42 further includes an aperture or acoustic port 54 for receiving an acoustic signal and an inner chamber 56 which is adapted for housing a transducer unit 58, typically a silicon die microphone or a ball grid array package (BGA). The top, bottom, and side portions 48, 50, 52 are electrically connected, for example with a conductive adhesive 60. The conductive adhesive may be provided conveniently in the form of suitably configured sheets of dry adhesive disposed between the top, bottom and side portions 48, 50 and 52. The sheet of dry adhesive may be activated by pressure, heat or other suitable means after the portions are brought together during assembly. Each portion may comprise alternating conductive and non-conductive layers of 44, 46.
The chamber 56 may include an inner lining 61. The inner lining 61 is primarily formed by conductive material. It should be understood that the inner lining may include portions of non-conductive material, as the conductive material may not fully cover the non-conductive material. The inner lining 61 protects the transducer 58 against electromagnetic interference and the like, much like a faraday cage. The inner lining 61 may also be provided by suitable electrically coupling together of the various conductive layers within the top, bottom and side portions 48, 50 and 52 of the housing.
In the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 and 23-26, the portions of the housing 42 that include the aperture or acoustic port 54 further include a layer of material that forms an environmental barrier 62 over or within the aperture 54. This environmental barrier 62 is typically a polymeric material formed to a film, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or a sintered metal. The environmental barrier 62 is supplied for protecting the chamber 56 of the housing 42, and, consequently, the transducer unit 58 within the housing 42, from environmental elements such as sunlight, moisture, oil, dirt, and/or dust. The environmental barrier 62 will also have inherent acoustic properties, e.g. acoustic damping/resistance. Therefore the environmental barrier 62 is chosen such that its acoustic properties cooperate with the transducer unit 58 to enhance the performance of the microphone. This is particularly true in connection with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, which may be configured to operate as directional microphones.
The environmental barrier layer 62 is generally sealed between layers of the portion, top 48 or bottom 50 in which the acoustic port 54 is formed. For example, the environmental barrier may be secured between layers of conductive material 44 thereby permitting the layers of conductive material 44 to act as a capacitor (with electrodes defined by the metal) that can be used to filter input and output signals or the input power. The environmental barrier layer 62 may further serve as a dielectric protective layer when in contact with the conductive layers 44 in the event that the conductive layers also contain thin film passive devices such as resistors and capacitors.
In addition to protecting the chamber 56 from environmental elements, the barrier layer 62 allows subsequent wet processing, board washing of the external portions of the housing 42, and electrical connection to ground from the walls via thru hole plating. The environmental barrier layer 62 also allows the order of manufacturing steps in the fabrication of the printed circuit board-based package to be modified. This advantage can be used to accommodate different termination styles. For example, a double sided package can be fabricated having a pair of apertures 54 (see FIG. 25), both including an environmental barrier layer 62. The package would look and act the same whether it is mounted face up or face down, or the package could be mounted to provide directional microphone characteristics. Moreover, the environmental barrier layer 62 may also be selected so that its acoustic properties enhance the directional performance of the microphone.
Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, and 11-13 the transducer unit 58 is generally not mounted to the top portion 48 of the housing. This definition is independent of the final mounting orientation to an end user's circuit board. It is possible for the top portion 48 to be mounted face down depending on the orientation of the transducer 58 as well as the choice for the bottom portion 50. The conductive layers 44 of the top portion 48 may be patterned to form circuitry, ground planes, solder pads, ground pads, capacitors and plated through hole pads. Referring to FIGS. 1-13 there may be additional alternating conductive layers 44, non-conductive layers 46, and environmental protective membranes 62 as the package requires. Alternatively, some layers may be deliberately excluded as well. The first non-conductive layer 46 may be patterned so as to selectively expose certain features on the first conductive layer 44.
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative top portion 48 for a microphone package. In this embodiment, a connection between the layers can be formed to provide a conduit to ground. The top portion of FIG. 11 includes ground planes and/or pattern circuitry 64 and the environmental barrier 62. The ground planes and or pattern circuitry 64 are connected by pins 65.
FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a top portion 48. In addition to the connection between layers, ground planes/pattern circuitry 64, and the environmental barrier 62, this embodiment includes conductive bumps 66 (e.g. Pb/Sn or Ni/Au) patterned on the bottom side to allow secondary electrical contact to the transducer 58. Here, conductive circuitry would be patterned such that electrical connection between the bumps 66 and a plated through hole termination is made.
FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of the top portion 48. In this embodiment, the top portion 48 does not include an aperture or acoustic port 54.
Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 14-18, the bottom portion 50 is the component of the package to which the transducer 58 is primarily mounted. This definition is independent of the final mounting orientation to the end user's circuit board. It is possible for the bottom portion 50 to be mounted facing upwardly depending on the mounting orientation of the transducer 58 as well as the choice for the top portion 48 construction. Like the top portion 48, the conductive layers 44 of the bottom portion 50 may be patterned to form circuitry, ground planes, solder pads, ground pads, capacitors and plated through hole pads. As shown in FIGS. 14-18, there may be additional alternating conductive layers 44, non-conductive layers 46, and environmental protective membranes 62 as the package requires. Alternatively, some layers may be deliberately excluded as well. The first non-conductive layer 46 may be patterned so as to selectively expose certain features on the first conductive layer 44.
Referring to FIGS. 14a through 14d, the bottom portion 50 comprises a laminated, multi-layered board including layers of conductive material 44 deposited on layers of non-conductive material 46. Referring to FIG. 14b, the first layer of conductive material is used to attach wire bonds or flip chip bonds. This layer includes etched portions to define lead pads, bond pads, and ground pads. The pads would have holes drilled through them to allow the formation of plated through-holes.
As shown in FIG. 14c, a dry film 68 of non-conductive material covers the conductive material. This illustration shows the exposed bonding pads as well as an exposed ground pad. The exposed ground pad would come in electrical contact with the conductive epoxy and form the connection to ground of the side portion 52 and the base portion 50.
Referring to FIG. 14d, ground layers can be embedded within the base portion 50. The hatched area represents a typical ground plane 64. The ground planes do not overlap the power or output pads, but will overlap the transducer 58.
Referring to FIG. 15, an embodiment of the bottom portion 50 is illustrated. The bottom portion 50 of this embodiment includes a solder mask layer 68 and alternating layers of conductive and non-conductive material 44, 46. The bottom portion further comprises solder pads 70 for electrical connection to an end user's board.
FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate embodiments of the bottom portion 50 with enlarged back volumes 18. These embodiments illustrate formation of the back volume 18 using the conductive/non-conductive layering.
FIG. 18 shows yet another embodiment of the bottom portion 50. In this embodiment, the back portion 50 includes the acoustic port 54 and the environmental barrier 62.
Referring to FIGS. 7-10 and 19-22, the side portion 52 is the component of the package that joins the bottom portion 50 and the top portion 48. The side portion 52 may include a single layer of a non-conductive material 46 sandwiched between two layers of conductive material 44. The side portion 52 forms the internal height of the chamber 56 that houses the transducer 58. The side portion 52 is generally formed by one or more layers of circuit board material, each having a routed window 72 (see FIG. 19).
Referring to FIGS. 19-22, the side portion 52 includes inner sidewalls 74. The inner sidewalls 74 are generally plated with a conductive material, typically copper, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. The sidewalls 74 are formed by the outer perimeter of the routed window 72 and coated/metallized with a conductive material.
Alternatively, the sidewalls 74 may be formed by may alternating layers of non-conductive material 46 and conductive material 44, each having a routed window 72 (see FIG. 19). In this case, the outer perimeter of the window 72 may not require coverage with a conductive material because the layers of conductive material 44 would provide effective shielding.
FIGS. 23-26 illustrate various embodiments of the microphone package 40. These embodiments utilize top, bottom, and side portions 48, 50, and 52 which are described above. It is contemplated that each of the top, bottom, and side portion 48, 50, 52 embodiments described above can be utilized in any combination without departing from the invention disclosed and described herein.
In FIG. 23, connection to an end user's board is made through the bottom portion 50. The package mounting orientation is bottom portion 50 down. Connection from the transducer 58 to the plated through holes is be made by wire bonding. The transducer back volume 18 is formed by the back hole (mounted down) of the silicon microphone only. Bond pads, wire bonds and traces to the terminals are not shown. A person of ordinary skilled in the art of PCB design will understand that the traces reside on the first conductor layer 44. The wire bonds from the transducer 58 are be connected to exposed pads. The pads are connected to the solder pads via plated through holes and traces on the surface.
In FIG. 24, connection to the end user's board is also made through the bottom portion 50. Again, the package mounting orientation is bottom portion 50. Connection from the transducer 58 to the plated through holes are made by wire bonding. The back volume is formed by a combination of the back hole of the transducer 58 (mounted down) and the bottom portion 50.
In FIG. 25, connection to the end user's board is also made through the bottom portion 50. Again, the package mounting orientation is bottom portion 50. Connection from the transducer 58 to the plated through holes are made by wire bonding. With acoustic ports 54 on both sides of the package, there is no back volume. This method is suitable to a directional microphone.
In FIG. 26, connection to the end user's board is made through the top portion 48 or the bottom portion 53. The package mounting orientation is either top portion 48 down or bottom portion 50 down. Connection from the transducer 58 to the plated through holes is made by flip chipping or wire bonding and trace routing. The back volume 18 is formed by using the air cavity created by laminating the bottom portion 50 and the top portion 48 together. Some portion of the package fabrication is performed after the transducer 58 has been attached. In particular, the through hole formation, plating, and solder pad definition would be done after the transducer 58 is attached. The protective membrane 62 is hydrophobic and prevents corrosive plating chemistry from entering the chamber 56.
Referring to FIGS. 27-29, the portion to which the transducer unit 58 is mounted may include a retaining ring 84. The retaining ring 84 prevents wicking of an epoxy 86 into the transducer 58 and from flowing into the acoustic port or aperture 54. Accordingly, the shape of the retaining ring 84 will typically match the shape of the transducer 58 foot print. The retaining ring 84 comprises a conductive material (e.g., 3 mil. thick copper) imaged on a non-conductive layer material.
Referring to FIG. 27, the retaining ring 84 is imaged onto a nonconductive layer. An epoxy is applied outside the perimeter of the retaining ring 84, and the transducer 58 is added so that it overlaps the epoxy 86 and the retaining ring 84. This reduces epoxy 86 wicking up the sides of the transducer's 58 etched port (in the case of a silicon die microphone).
Alternatively, referring to FIG. 28, the retaining ring 84 can be located so that the transducer 58 does not contact the retaining ring 84. In this embodiment, the retaining ring 84 is slightly smaller than the foot print of the transducer 58 so that the epoxy 86 has a restricted path and is, thus, less likely to wick. In FIG. 29, the retaining ring 84 is fabricated so that it contacts the etched port of the transducer 58. The following tables provide an illustrative example of a typical circuit board processing technique for fabrication of the housing of this embodiment.







TABLE 1







Materials










Material
Type
Component
Note













1
0.5/0.5 oz. DST
Bottom Portion (Conductive




Cu 5 core FR-4
Layers Non-Conductive 





Layer 1)



2
0.5/0.5 oz. DST
Bottom Portion (Conductive




Cu 5 core FR-4
Layers 3 and 4; Non-





Conductive Layer 2)



3
106 pre-preg

For Laminating





Material 1 and





Material 2


4
0.5/0.5 oz. DST
Side Portion
Metallized



Cu 40 Core FR-4

Afterward


5
Bare/0.5 oz. Cu 2
Top Portion (Each Piece




core FR-4 (2
Includes 1 Conductive and 1




pieces)
Non-Conductive Layer)



6
Expanded PTFE
Environmental Barrier
















TABLE 2







Processing of Materials (Base Portion Material 1)










Step
Type
Description
Note













1
Dry Film





Conductive Layers




2
Expose
Mask Material 1 (Upper
Forms Ground




Conductive Layer)
Plane on Lower





Conductive Layer


3
Develop




4
Etch Cu

No Etching on





Upper Conductive





Layer


5
Strip Dry Film
















TABLE 3







Processing of Materials (Bottom Portion Material 2)










Step
Type
Description
Note













1
Dry Film





Conductive





Layers




2
Expose
Mask Material 2 (Upper
Forms Ground




Conductive Layer)
Plane on Upper





Conductive Layer


3
Develop




4
Etch Cu

No Etching on 





Upper Conductive





Layer


5
Strip Dry Film
















TABLE 4







Processing of Materials 1, 2, and 3 (Form Bottom Portion)










Step
Type
Description
Note













1
Laminate
Materials 1 and 2





Laminated Using





Material 3



2
Drill Thru Holes
Drill Bit = 0.025 in.



3
Direct
Plates Thru Holes




Metallization/Flash





Copper




4
Dry Film (L1 and





L4)




5
Expose
Mask Laminated
Forms Traces and Solder




Materials 1 and 2
Pads




(Upper and Lower





Conductive Layers)



6
Develop




7
Electrolytic Cu
1.0 mil



8
Electrolytic Sn
As Required



9
Strip Dry Film




10
Etch Cu




11
Etch Cu




12
Insert Finishing
NG Option (See
NG Option for Proof



Option Here
Table Below)
of Principle


13
Dry Film (cover
2.5 mil
Minimum Thickness



lay) on Upper

on Upper Conductive



Conductive Layer

Layer



Only




14
Expose
Mask Laminated
This mask defines an




Materials 1 and 2
area on the upper




(upper and lower)
conductive layer that





will receive a dry film





solder mask (cover





lay). The bottom layer





will not have dry film





applied to it. The





plated through holes





will be bridged over by





the coating on the top.


15
Develop




16
Cure

Full Cure


17
Route Panels
Route Bit = As
Forms 4′′ × 4′′ pieces.




Required
Conforms to finished





dims









Table 5 describes the formation of the side portion 52. This process involves routing a matrix of openings in FR-4 board. However, punching is thought to be the cost effective method for manufacturing. The punching may done by punching through the entire core, or, alternatively, punching several layers of no-flow pre-preg and thin core c-stage which are then laminated to form the wall of proper thickness.
After routing the matrix, the board will have to be electroless or DM plated. Finally, the boards will have to be routed to match the bottom portion. This step can be done first or last. It may make the piece more workable to perform the final routing as a first step.







TABLE 5







Processing of Material 4 (Side Portion)










Step
Type
Description
Note













1
Route/Punch
Route Bit = 0.031 in.
Forms Side Portion



Matrix of





Openings




2
Direct
0.25 mil minimum
Forms Sidewalls



Metallization/

on Side Portion



Flash Cu




3
Route Panels









Table 6 describes the processing of the top portion. The formation of the top portion 48 involves imaging a dry film cover lay or liquid solder mask on the bottom (i.e. conductive layer forming the inner layer. The exposed layer of the top portion 48 will not have a copper coating. It can be processed this way through etching or purchased this way as a one sided laminate.
A matrix of holes is drilled into the lid board. Drilling may occur after the imaging step. If so, then a suitable solder mask must be chosen that can survive the drilling process.







TABLE 6







Processing of Top Portion










Step
Type
Description
Note













1
Dry Film
Conductive Layer



2
Expose
Mask Bare Layer
Form Conduction Ring


3
Develop




4
Cure




5
Drill Matrix 
Drill Bit 0.025 in.
Acoustic Ports



of Holes




6
Laminate
PTFE (Environmental
Forms Top Portion




Barrier) Between 2 Pieces





of Material 5
















TABLE 7







Processing of Laminated Materials 1 and 2 with Material 4










Step
Type
Description
Note













1
Screen





Conductive





Adhesive on





Material 4




2
Laminate
Bottom Portion with 
Forms Bottom




Side Portion
Portion with Side





Portion (spacer)


3
Add Transducer
Silicon Die Microphone




Assembly
and Integrated Circuit
















TABLE 8







Processing of Laminated Materials 1, 2, and 4 with Material 5










Step
Type
Description
Note













1
Screen





Conductive





Adhesive on





Top Portion




2
Laminate
Bottom Portion and Side
Forms Housing




Portion with Top Portion



3
Dice
















TABLE 9







Finishing Option NG (Nickel/Gold)










Step
Type
Description
Note













1
Immersion Ni





(40-50 μ-in)




2
Immersion Au





(25-30 μ-in)
















TABLE 10







Finishing Option NGT (Nickel/Gold/Tin)








Step
Type











1
Mask L2 (using thick dry film or high tack dicing tape)


2
Immersion Ni (40-50 μ-in)


3
Immersion Au (25-30 μ-in)


4
Remove Mask on L2


5
Mask L1 (using thick dry film or high tack dicing tape)



bridge over cavity created by wall


6
Immersion Sn (100-250 μ-in)


7
Remove Mask on L1
















TABLE 11







Finishing Option ST (Silver/Tin)








Step
Type











1
Mask L2 (using thick dry film or high tack dicing tape)


2
Immersion Ag (40-50 μ-in)


3
Remove Mask on L2


4
Mask L1 (using thick dry film or high tack dicing tape)



bridge over cavity created by wall


5
Immersion Sn (100-250 μ-in)


6
Remove Mask on L1









FIG. 30 is a plan view illustrating a panel 90 for forming a plurality of microphone packages 92. The microphone packages 92 are distributed on the panel 90 in a 14×24 array, or 336 microphone packages total. Fewer or more microphone packages may be disposed on the panel 90, or on smaller or larger panels. As described herein in connection with the various embodiments of the invention, the microphone packages include a number of layers, such as top, bottom and side portions of the housing, environmental barriers, adhesive layers for joining the portions, and the like. To assure alignment of the portions as they are brought together, each portion may be formed to include a plurality of alignment apertures 94. To simultaneously manufacture several hundred or even several thousand microphones, a bottom layer, such as described herein, is provided. A transducer, amplifier and components are secured at appropriate locations on the bottom layer corresponding to each of the microphones to be manufactured. An adhesive layer, such as a sheet of dry adhesive is positioned over the bottom layer, and a sidewall portion layer is positioned over the adhesive layer. An additional dry adhesive layer is positioned, followed by an environmental barrier layer, another dry adhesive layer and the top layer. The dry adhesive layers are activated, such as by the application of heat and/or pressure. The panel is then separated into individual microphone assemblies using known panel cutting and separating techniques.
The microphone, microphone package and method of assembly herein described further allow the manufacture of multiple microphone assembly, such as microphone pairs. In the simplest form, during separation two microphones may be left joined together, such as the microphone pair 96 shown in FIG. 31. Each microphone 98 and 100 of the microphone pair 96 is thus a separate, individually operable microphone in a single package sharing a common sidewall 102. Alternatively, as described herein, conductive traces may be formed in the various layers of either the top or bottom portion thus allowing multiple microphones to be electrically coupled.
While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

## Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a plurality of solder reflow surface mount microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphones, the method comprising:
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual lids, wherein each lid has top and bottom surfaces and comprises at least one conductive layer, at least one non-conductive layer, and an acoustic port, wherein the conductive layer comprises the bottom surface of the lid, and wherein the bottom surface has an attachment region and an interior region, the attachment region positioned between the interior region and the edges of the lid, and completely bounding the interior region;
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual sidewall spacers, wherein each sidewall spacer has top and bottom surfaces and comprises at least two conductive layers with a center layer of predefined thickness disposed between the two conductive layers, wherein one conductive layer comprises the top surface of the sidewall spacer and the other conductive layer comprises the bottom surface of the sidewall spacer, and wherein the sidewall spacer further comprises an opening having walls covered with conductive material, and the opening walls extend through the center layer to the top surface and the bottom surface;
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual substrates, wherein each substrate comprises:
a base layer comprising at least one layer of non-conductive material, wherein the base layer has a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface, the top surface having an interior region and an attachment region, the attachment region disposed between the interior region and the edges of the base layer, and completely bounding the interior region;
a first plurality of metal pads disposed on the top surface of the base layer, wherein at least one pad of the first plurality of metal pads is located in the attachment region of the top surface of the base layer;
a second plurality of metal pads disposed on the bottom surface of the base layer, the second plurality of metal pads arranged to be within the edges of the base layer; and
one or more electrical pathways disposed completely within the base layer, wherein the pathways electrically couple one or more of the first plurality of metal pads on the top surface of the base layer to one or more of the second plurality of metal pads on the bottom surface of the base layer, and wherein the at least one metal pad located in the attachment region of the top surface of the base layer is electrically coupled to one or more of the second plurality of metal pads;

mounting a MEMS microphone die on the bottom surface of each individual lid in the unsingulated panel of individual lids;
attaching the unsingulated panel of substrates, the unsingulated panel of sidewall spacers and the unsingulated panel of lids to each other in a predetermined order;
wherein the bottom surface of each sidewall spacer is coupled to the attachment region of the top surface of its respective substrate such that the opening of each sidewall spacer and the interior region of the top surface of each substrate are respectively aligned, and the conductive material on the opening walls of each sidewall spacer is electrically coupled to its respective at least one metal pad located in the attachment region of each substrate;
wherein the top surface of each sidewall spacer is coupled to the attachment region of the bottom surface of its respective lid such that the opening of each sidewall spacer and the interior region of the bottom surface of each lid are respectively aligned, and the conductive layer of each lid is electrically coupled to the conductive material on the opening walls of its respective sidewall spacer; and
wherein the interior region of the top surface of each substrate, the opening walls of its respective sidewall spacer, and the interior region of the bottom surface of its respective lid, when the panels are attached, define the internal acoustic chamber for each of their respective MEMS microphone die; and

singulating the attached panels into a plurality of individual MEMS microphones, wherein each substrate, and its respective sidewall spacer and lid cooperatively form a housing that has surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the substrate.

2. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises electrically coupling at least one passive electrical element between one of the first plurality of metal pads and one of the second plurality of metal pads.

3. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises forming the at least one passive electrical element within the base layer of the substrate.

4. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises providing the at least one passive electrical element within the base layer of each substrate in the unsingulated panel of substrates, and the at least one passive electrical element comprises a dielectric or resistive material that is different from the non-conductive material used in the base layer of each respective substrate.

5. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 2, wherein the at least one passive electrical element is configured to filter one or more of an input signal, an output signal, or input power.

6. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises attaching the unsingulated panel of lids to the unsingulated panel of sidewall spacers with a first conductive material, and attaching the unsingulated panel of substrates to the unsingulated panel of sidewall spacers with a second conductive material.

7. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the housing protects the MEMS microphone die from at least one of light, electromagnetic interference, and physical damage.

8. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing each lid in the unsingulated panel of lids a material layer that that substantially blocks environmental contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber through the acoustic port.

9. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic port in each lid in the unsingulated panel of lids is disposed in a position offset from the centerpoint of its respective lid.

10. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the center layer of the each sidewall spacer in the unsingulated panel of sidewall spacers comprises multiple layers of conductive and non-conductive material, and the conductive material on the opening walls of each sidewall spacer electrically couples the conductive layers to each other.

11. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises plating the first and second pluralities of metal pads on the base layer of each substrate with a metal that is different from the metal used for the first and second pluralities of metal pads of each substrate in the panel of unsingulated substrates.

12. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the base layer of each substrate in the panel of unsingulated substrates further comprises at least one additional non-conductive layer and at least one additional conductive layer.

13. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the base layer of each substrate in the panel of unsingulated substrates further comprises a recess disposed therein, and its respective MEMS microphone die is positioned over the recess.

14. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic port in each lid of the panel of unsingulated lids is a first acoustic port, and the base layer of each substrate in the panel of unsingulated substrates further comprises a second acoustic port.

15. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 14, wherein the base layer of each substrate in the unsingulated panel of substrates further comprises a material layer that that substantially blocks environmental contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber through the second acoustic port in the base layer.

16. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 15, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the at least one electrical element is disposed within the base layer of the bottom portion and comprises a dielectric or resistive material that is different from the printed circuit board material of the base layer.

17. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 16, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the at least one passive electrical element is configured to filter one or more of an input signal, an output signal, or input power.

18. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 15, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the printed circuit board layer of the spacer portion further comprises additional layers of printed circuit board material alternating with additional metal layers, and the conductive material on the window walls electrically couples the additional metal layers to each other.

19. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 15, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the base layer of the bottom portion further comprises at least one additional non-conductive layer and at least one additional conductive layer.

20. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, electrical continuity is present between the conductive layer in its lid, the conductive material on the opening walls of its sidewall spacer, and at least one of its second plurality of metal pads.

21. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 1, wherein the at least one non-conductive layer of the lid, the center layer of non-conductive material of the sidewall spacer, and the at least one layer of non-conductive material of the base layer each have a substantially similar predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion.

22. A method for manufacturing a plurality of solder reflow surface mount microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphones, the method comprising:
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual top portions, wherein each top portion has upper and lower surfaces and comprises at least one metal layer, at least one printed circuit board material layer, and an acoustic port, wherein the metal layer comprises the lower surface of the top portion, and wherein the lower surface has a coupling area and an inner area, the coupling area being arranged between the inner area and the edges of the top portion, and completely surrounding the inner area;
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual spacer portions, wherein each sidewall portion has upper and lower surfaces and comprises at least two metal layers with a printed circuit board material layer of predefined thickness disposed between the two metal layers, wherein one metal layer comprises the upper surface of the spacer portion and the other metal layer comprises the lower surface of the spacer portion, and wherein the spacer portion further comprises a window having walls covered with a metal layer, and the window walls extend through the printed circuit board material layer to the upper surface and the lower surface;
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual bottom portions, wherein each bottom portion comprises:
a base layer that comprises at least one layer of printed circuit board material, wherein the base layer has a substantially flat upper surface and a substantially flat lower surface, the upper surface having an inner area and a coupling area, the coupling area located between the inner area and the edges of the base layer, and completely surrounding the inner area;
a plurality of metal pads located on the upper surface of the base layer, wherein at least one pad of the plurality of metal pads is positioned in the coupling area of the upper surface of the base layer;
a plurality of solder pads located on the lower surface of the base layer, the plurality of solder pads arranged to be within the edges of the base layer;
one or more electrical connections passing through the base layer, wherein the connections electrically couple one or more of the plurality of metal pads on the upper surface of the base layer to one or more of the plurality of solder pads on the lower surface of the base layer, and wherein the at least one metal pad positioned in the coupling area of the upper surface of the base layer is electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of solder pads; and
at least one passive electrical element electrically coupled between one of the plurality of metal pads and one of the plurality of solder pads;

physically coupling a MEMS microphone die on the lower surface of each individual top portion in the unsingulated panel of individual top portions;
physically coupling the unsingulated panel of top portions, the unsingulated panel of spacer portions, and the unsingulated panel of bottom portions to each other in a predetermined order;
wherein a conductive material physically couples the lower surface of each spacer portion to the coupling area of the upper surface of its respective bottom portion such that the window of each spacer portion and the inner area of the upper surface of each bottom portion are respectively aligned, and the metal layer on the window walls of each spacer portion is electrically coupled to the at least one metal pad positioned in the coupling area of its respective bottom portion;
wherein a conductive material physically couples the upper surface of the spacer portion to the coupling area of the lower surface of its respective top portion such that the window of the spacer portion and the inner area of the lower surface of its respective top portion are aligned, and the metal layer of the top portion is electrically coupled to the metal layer on the window walls of its respective spacer portion;
wherein electrical continuity is present between the metal layer in each top portion, its respective metal layer on the window walls of its respective spacer portion, and its respective at least one of the plurality of solder pads; and
wherein the inner area of the upper surface of each bottom portion, the window walls of its respective spacer portion, and the inner area of the lower surface of its respective top portion, when the panels are coupled, define the internal acoustic chamber for each of their respective MEMS microphone die;

singulating the coupled panels into a plurality of individual MEMS microphones, wherein each bottom portion, and its respective spacer portion and top portion cooperatively form a housing that has surfaces substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the bottom portion and that protects the MEMS microphone die from at least one of light, electromagnetic interference, and physical damage.

23. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 22, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the housing further comprises a material that substantially blocks environmental contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber through the acoustic port.

24. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 22, wherein the acoustic port in each top portion in the unsingulated panel of top portions is disposed in a position offset from the centerpoint of its respective top portion.

25. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 22, wherein the acoustic port in each top portion in the panel of unsingulated top portions is a first acoustic port, and the base layer of each bottom portion in the panel of unsingulated bottom portions further comprises a second acoustic port.

26. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 22, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the housing further comprises a material that substantially blocks environmental contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber through the second acoustic port.

27. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 26, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the first enclosure element further comprises additional metal layers alternating with the FR-4 printed circuit board material layers, and the metal layer of the interior open volume walls electrically couples the additional metal layers to each other.

28. A method for manufacturing a plurality of solder reflow surface mount microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphones, the method comprising:
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual base substrates, wherein each base substrate comprises:
a core layer comprised of at least one layer FR-4 printed circuit board material, wherein the core layer has a substantially flat top surface and a substantially flat bottom surface, the top surface having a die mount region and an attachment region, the attachment region positioned between the die mount region and the edges of the core layer, and completely surrounding the die mount region;
a plurality of metal pads located on the top surface of the core layer, wherein at least one pad of the plurality of metal pads is located in the attachment region of the top surface of the core layer;
a plurality of solder pads located on the bottom surface of the core layer, the plurality of solder pads arranged to be within the edges of the core layer; and
a plurality of electrical connections passing through the core layer that electrically couple one or more of the plurality of metal pads on the top surface of the core layer to one or more of the plurality of solder pads on the bottom surface of the core layer, and wherein the at least one metal pad located in the attachment region of the top surface of the core layer is electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of solder pads;

providing a plurality of enclosure elements, the plurality comprising:
an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual first enclosure elements, wherein each first enclosure element having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces and comprises at least two metal layers with multiple FR-4 printed circuit board material layers of predefined thickness disposed between the two metal layers, wherein one metal layer comprises the top surface of the first enclosure element and the other metal layer comprises the bottom surface of the first enclosure element;
an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual second enclosure elements, wherein each second enclosure element has top and bottom surfaces and comprises at least one metal layer, at least one FR-4 printed circuit board material layer, and an acoustic port that is disposed in an offset position from the centerpoint of the second enclosure element, wherein the metal layer comprises the bottom surface of the second enclosure element, and wherein the bottom surface has an attachment region and an inner region, the attachment region being arranged between the attachment region and the edges of the second enclosure element, and completely surrounding the attachment region;

mounting a pressure-equalizing MEMS microphone die having an internal acoustic channel in the inner region of each individual second enclosure element in the panel of unsingulated panel of second enclosure elements;
physically coupling the unsingulated panel of first enclosure elements and the unsingulated panel of second enclosure elements to each other to form an unsingulated panel of enclosures,
wherein the top surface of each first enclosure element is physically coupled to the attachment region of the bottom surface of its respective second enclosure element with a conductive material;
wherein each first enclosure element further comprises an interior open volume with walls, thereby exposing the inner region of the bottom surface of its respective second enclosure element; and
wherein the interior open volume walls of each first enclosure element have a metal layer that is electrically connected to the bottom surface metal layer of its respective second enclosure element;

joining the unsingulated panel of base substrates and the unsingulated panel of enclosures to form a housing that has an internal acoustic chamber for the MEMS microphone die, and that protects the MEMS microphone die from at least one of light, electromagnetic interference, and physical damage, wherein the bottom surface metal layer of each first enclosure element is physically joined to the attachment region of its respective base substrate with a conductive material, and wherein the interior open volume of each first enclosure element is aligned with the die mount region of its respective base substrate, and the metal pad positioned in each attachment region is electrically coupled to the metal layer of the interior open volume walls in its respective first enclosure element;
wherein the interior region of the bottom surface of each second enclosure element, the interior open volume walls of its respective first enclosure element, and the die mount region of its respective base substrate define the acoustic chamber for its respective MEMS microphone die;
wherein electrical continuity exists between the metal layer of each second enclosure element, the metal-covered interior open volume walls of its respective enclosure element, and one or more of the plurality of solder pads on its respective base substrate; and

singulating the coupled panels into a plurality of individual MEMS microphones, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the length of the base substrate and the length of the enclosure are substantially equal, and the width of the base substrate and the width of the enclosure are substantially equal.

29. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 28, the method further comprising providing at least one passive electrical element within the core layer of each base substrate in the unsingulated panel of base substrates, and electrically coupling the at least one passive electrical element between one of the plurality of metal pads and one of the plurality of solder pads.

30. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 28, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the housing further comprises a material that substantially blocks environmental contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber through the acoustic port of the MEMS microphone.

31. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 28, wherein the acoustic port in each secon denclosure element of the unsingulated panel of second enclosure elements is a first acoustic port, and the core layer of each base substrate in the unsingulated panel of base substrates further comprises a second acoustic port.

32. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 31, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the housing further comprises a material that substantially blocks environmental contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber through the second acoustic port of the MEMS microphone.

33. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 32, wherein the core layer of each third housing element in the panel of unsingulated third housing elements comprises at least one passive electrical element disposed within the core layer of the third housing element and comprises a dielectric or resistive material that is different from the printed circuit board material of the core layer.

34. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 27, wherein the at least one passive electrical element is configured to filter one or more of an input signal, an output signal, or input power.

35. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 31, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the second housing element further comprises additional metal layers interposed between the multiple layers of printed circuit board material, and the metal-covered walls of the aperture electrically couples the additional metal layers to each other.

36. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 28, wherein the core layer of the each base substrate in the unsingulated panel of base substrates comprises at least one passive electrical element is disposed within the core layer of the base substrate and comprises a dielectric or resistive material that is different from the FR-4 printed circuit board material of the core layer.

37. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 19, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the at least one passive electrical element is configured to filter one or more of an input signal, an output signal, or input power.

38. A method for manufacturing a plurality of solder reflow surface mount microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphones, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of pressure-equalizing MEMS microphone die, each MEMS microphone die having an internal acoustic channel;
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual first housing elements, wherein each first housing element has substantially flat top and bottom surfaces and comprises at least one metal layer, at least one printed circuit board material layer, and an acoustic port, wherein the metal layer comprises the bottom surface of the first housing element, wherein the bottom surface has an attachment region and an interior region, the attachment region located between the interior region and the edges of the first housing element and completely surrounding the interior region, and wherein the acoustic port is disposed in a position offset from the centerpoint of the first housing element;
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual second housing elements, wherein each second housing element has substantially flat top and bottom surfaces and comprises at least first and second metal layers with multiple printed circuit board material layers of predefined thickness disposed between the first and second metal layers, wherein the first metal layer comprises the top surface of the second housing element and the second metal layer comprises the bottom surface of the second housing element, wherein the second housing element further comprises an aperture having metal-covered walls, and the aperture walls extend through the printed circuit board material layer to the top and bottom surfaces of the second housing element;
providing an unsingulated panel comprised of a plurality of individual third housing elements, wherein each third housing element comprises:
a core layer comprised of at least one layer of printed circuit board material, wherein the core layer has a substantially flat top surface and a substantially flat bottom surface, wherein the top surface has an interior region and an attachment region, the attachment region being arranged between the interior region and the edges of the core layer, and the attachment region completely surrounds the interior region;
a plurality of metal pads disposed on the top surface of the core layer, wherein at least one pad of the plurality of metal pads is positioned in the attachment region of the top surface of the core layer;
a plurality of solder pads disposed on the bottom surface of the core layer, the plurality of solder pads arranged to be within the edges of the core layer; and
one or more electrical vias located inside the core layer, wherein the vias electrically couple one or more of the plurality of metal pads on the top surface of the core layer to one or more of the plurality of solder pads on the bottom surface of the core layer, and wherein a via electrically couples the at least one metal pad positioned in the attachment region of the top surface of the core layer to one or more of the plurality of solder pads;

mounting one of the plurality of MEMS microphone die to the bottom surface of each first housing element in the panel of unsingulated first housing elements;
attaching the unsingulated panel of first housing elements, the unsingulated panel of second housing elements, and the unsingulated panel of third housing elements to each other in a predetermined order;
wherein a conductive material physically couples the attachment region of the bottom surface of each first housing element to the top surface of its respective second housing element to such that the interior region of the bottom surface of each first housing element and the aperture of its respective second housing element are aligned, and the metal layer of each first housing element is electrically coupled to the metal-covered aperture walls of its respective second housing element;
wherein a conductive material physically couples the bottom surface of each second housing element to the attachment region of the top surface of its respective third housing element such that the aperture of each second housing element and the interior region of the top surface of its respective third housing element are aligned, and the metal-covered aperture walls of each second housing element are electrically coupled to the at least one metal pad positioned in the attachment region of the its respective housing element;
wherein the interior region of the bottom surface of each first housing element, the aperture walls of its respective second housing element, and the interior region of the top surface of its respective third housing element, when the panels are attached, define an internal acoustic chamber for its respective MEMS microphone die; and
wherein electrical continuity exists between the metal layer of each first housing element, the metal-covered aperture walls of its respective second housing element, and one or more of the plurality of solder pads on its respective third housing element; and

singulating the coupled panels into a plurality of individual MEMS microphones, wherein the first housing element, and its respective second, and third housing elements cooperatively form a housing that has surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the third housing element, that has the internal acoustic chamber for the MEMS microphone die, and that protects the MEMS microphone die from at least one of light, electromagnetic interference, and physical damage.

39. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 38, wherein the method further comprises electrically coupling at least one passive electrical element between one of the plurality of metal pads and one of the plurality of solder pads.

40. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 32, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the housing further comprises a material that substantially blocks environmental contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber through the acoustic port.

41. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 38, wherein the acoustic port of each first housing element in the unsingulated panel of first housing elements is a first acoustic port, and each third housing element in the unsingulated panel of third housing elements further comprises a second acoustic port.

42. A method for manufacturing a plurality of surface mount MEMS microphones according to claim 41, wherein, for each MEMS microphone, the housing further comprises a material that substantially blocks environmental contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber through the second acoustic port.