Abstract:
The present invention provides a semiconductor device which is applied to, for example, a WCSP (Wafer Level Chip Size Package) and comprises a semiconductor chip having a high-frequency circuit block, a plurality of electrode pads formed on the semiconductor chip, posts disposed between the high-frequency circuit block and the electrode pads within a horizontal plane and connected to their corresponding external terminals, and redistribution wiring layers that connect the electrode pads and the posts respectively.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and particularly to a semiconductor device wherein a wafer level CSP is applied to a high-frequency LSI. 
     With high-density packaging of electronic equipment, there has been a demand for a size reduction (thinning/reduction in outer size) of a semiconductor device mounted in a portable device. In order to meet its demand, a semiconductor package called “Chip Size Package” having approximately the same outer dimensions as those of a semiconductor chip has been adopted. As one form of the chip size package, a semiconductor package called a wafer level chip size package or a wafer level chip scale package exists. 
     In the wafer level chip size package (hereinafter called “WCSP”), a plurality of external terminals arranged in area form by redistribution wiring layers are provided on a mounting surface (circuit forming surface) that faces a mounting substrate or board. The external terminals and electrodes (pads) disposed on the periphery of the circuit forming surface are connected by redistribution wirings thereby to convert wiring pitches on a circuit to wiring pitches for the mounting board and electrically connect an LSI circuit and the mounting board. The WCSP is now being adopted for a power-supply LSI, a flash memory, a microcomputer, RF, an LSI and the like of a cellular phone by taking advantage of the merit of its size reduction and thinning. 
     As a technique related to the present invention, there is known a WCSP type semiconductor device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-79579. 
     When the WCSP is applied to a high-frequency LSI, the area for routing redistribution wirings for the WCSP is limited depending upon a circuit layout on the LSI side. Therefore, there is a fear that a high-frequency circuit block and redistribution wirings electrically interfere therein and hence a malfunction will occur. There is a case in which since the transmission/reception of signals of a few hundreds of MHz to a few GHz is done in a wireless communication LSI of a cellular phone or the like in particular, the characteristic of the LSI is degraded depending upon the layout of each redistribution wiring. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems. An object of the present invention is to improve the characteristic of a semiconductor device equipped with a high-frequency LSI. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, for attaining the above object, there is provided a semiconductor device which is applied to, for example, a WCSP (Wafer Level Chip Size Package) and which comprises a semiconductor chip having a high-frequency circuit block, a plurality of electrode pads formed over the semiconductor chip, posts disposed between the high-frequency circuit block and the electrode pads and respectively connected to external terminals, and redistribution wiring layers which connect the electrode pads and the posts respectively. Here, the point is that the posts are disposed between the high-frequency circuit block and the electrode pads, and such a layout that the redistribution wirings are not formed on the high-frequency circuit block is provided. 
     Preferably, the redistribution wring layers connected to their corresponding ground electrode pads are formed so as to be routed between the ground electrode pads and the edge of the semiconductor chip. 
     Signal electrode pads are respectively formed directly below the posts, and the signal electrode pads and the posts are connected to one another without via the redistribution wiring layers. 
     Transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads can respectively be disposed between the corresponding ground electrode pads and the high-frequency circuit block. Further, spiral inductors can respectively be formed midway through redistribution wirings for coupling the transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads and the posts. 
     According to the present invention as described above, posts are disposed between electrode pads and a high-frequency circuit block. Therefore, each redistribution wiring is not formed on the high-frequency circuit block, and the electrical interference between the redistribution wirings and the high-frequency circuit block can be suppressed. Further, the lengths of signal redistribution wirings for connecting a transmitting antenna electrode, a receiving antenna electrode and the posts respectively can be shortened and an improvement in transmission/reception characteristic can be effected. 
     When redistribution wiring layers connected to their corresponding ground electrode pads are routed between the ground electrode pads and the edge of a semiconductor chip, ground terminals can be shared outside electrodes, and each ground wiring can be brought into low impedance. 
     When signal electrode pads are formed directly below their corresponding posts, and these signal electrode pads and posts are connected to one another, the redistribution wirings become unnecessary, and hence degradation in transmission/reception characteristic of a high-frequency signal due to a parasitic parameter (LCR) component of each redistribution wiring portion can be reduced. 
     Further, when the transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads are disposed between the ground electrode pads and the high-frequency circuit block, and spiral inductors are formed midway through the redistribution wirings for coupling the transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads and the posts respectively, the corresponding inductors can be formed by the redistribution wirings, and a size reduction of a module with a high-frequency LSI mounted thereon can be effected. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention, the objects and features of the invention and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view showing the configuration of a WCSP (Wafer Level Chip Size Package) to which the present invention is applicable, except for an encapsulating resin and external terminals; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1  and also shows the encapsulating resin and the external terminals; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating the essential structure of a WCSP according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view depicting the essential structure of a WCSP according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view showing the essential structure of a WCSP according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view showing the configuration of a WCSP (Wafer Level Chip Size Package) to which the present invention is applicable. An encapsulating resin and external terminals are omitted from  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1  and also shows the encapsulating resin and the external terminals. 
     The WCSP includes a semiconductor chip  10 , an insulator layer  22  formed in the surface of the semiconductor chip  10 , redistribution wiring layers  16  formed on the insulator layer  22 , posts  14  respectively connected to the redistribution wiring layers  16 , a sealing or encapsulating resin  28  for sealing the surface of the semiconductor chip  10 , and external solder terminals  26  formed on the encapsulating resin  28  and connected to the exposed upper surfaces of the posts  14 . The present invention is suitable for a wireless communication LSI or the like which performs transmission/reception of signals of a few hundreds of MHz to a few GHz. 
     The semiconductor chip  10  includes a semiconductor substrate  11 , a high-frequency circuit block  12  provided on the semiconductor substrate  11 , and aluminum wiring layers  24  connected to the high-frequency circuit block  12  and electrode pads. The aluminum wiring layers  24  are covered with a silicon oxide film  20 , and a silicon nitride film  21  is formed on the silicon oxide film  20  as a passivation film. 
     First Preferred Embodiment 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view showing an essential structure (wiring layout) of a WCSP according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an area for routing a ground (GND) redistribution wiring  116   g  is ensured between electrode pads ( 130   g ,  130   r  and  130   t ) and a chip edge  132 . Posts  114  of the WCSP are disposed between a high-frequency circuit block  112  and the electrode pads ( 130   g ,  130   r  and  130   t ). Incidentally, the electrode pads include ground electrode pads  130   g , a transmitting antenna electrode pad  130   t , and a receiving antenna electrode pad  130   r.    
     A plurality of the ground electrode pads  130   g  are respectively electrically connected to the ground redistribution wiring  116   g  in an area located outside the electrodes. A plurality of the posts  114  are disposed between the respective electrode pads  130   g  and the high-frequency circuit block  112 . The electrode pads  130   g  and the posts  114  are respectively connected to one another by the ground redistribution wiring  116   g . Here, the ground redistribution wiring  116   g  is preferably set as thick (wide) as possible within a range free of the occurrence of a problem in package reliability to reduce the impedance thereof. 
     On the other hand, the transmitting antenna electrode pad  130   t  and the receiving antenna electrode pad  130   r  are electrically connected to their corresponding posts  114  disposed between the respective electrodes ( 130   r  and  130   t ) and the high-frequency circuit block  112  by means of signal redistribution wirings  116   s . At this time, the lengths of the respective signal redistribution wirings  116   s  are respectively set to the same length to eliminate a phase difference. Further, the signal redistribution wirings may preferably be routed in such a manner that their wiring lengths become as short as possible. 
     In  FIG. 3 , reference numerals  124   g  indicate aluminum wirings connected to their corresponding ground electrode pads  130   g , which are formed inside a semiconductor chip. Reference numerals  124   s  indicate aluminum wirings connected to the transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads  130   t  and  130   r , which are formed inside the semiconductor chip in like manner. 
     In the present embodiment, the redistribution wiring area is ensured outside the respective electrode pads ( 130   g ,  130   r  and  130   t ), and the posts  114  are disposed between the respective electrodes ( 130   g ,  130   r  and  130   t ) and the high-frequency circuit block  112 . Therefore, no redistribution wiring is formed and hence the electrical interference between the redistribution wirings  116   s  and  116   g  and the high-frequency circuit block  112  can be avoided. Since such routing that the lengths of the signal redistribution wirings  116   s  for connecting the transmitting antenna electrode pad  130   t , the receiving antenna electrode pad  130   r  and the posts  114  become the shortest can be performed, an improvement in transmission/reception characteristic can be effected. 
     Further, ground terminals are shared by the ground redistribution wiring  116   g  in an area located outside the respective electrode pads ( 130   g ,  130   r  and  130   t ), so that the ground wiring  116   g  can be brought into low impedance. 
     Second Preferred Embodiment 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view showing an essential structure (wiring layout) of a WCSP according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an area for routing a ground (GND) redistribution wiring  216   g  is ensured between electrode pads ( 230   g ,  230   r  and  230   t ) and a chip edge  232  in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Posts  214  of the WCSP are disposed between a high-frequency circuit block  212  and the electrode pads ( 230   g ,  230   r  and  230   t ). Here, the present embodiment is characterized in that transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads  230   t  and  203   r  are respectively disposed directly below transmitting and receiving antenna posts  214  of the posts  214 . 
     A plurality of the ground electrode pads  230   g  are electrically connected to the ground redistribution wiring  216   g  in an area located outside the electrodes. A plurality of the posts  114  are disposed between the respective electrode pads  230   g  and the high-frequency circuit block  212 . These electrode pads and posts are respectively connected to one another by the ground redistribution wiring  216   g . Here, the ground redistribution wiring  216   g  is preferably set as thick (wide) as possible within a range free of the occurrence of a problem in package reliability to reduce the impedance thereof. 
     On the other hand, the transmitting antenna electrode pad  230   t  and the receiving antenna electrode pad  230   r  are directly connected to their corresponding posts  214  disposed directly thereabove (without via the redistribution wiring). 
     In  FIG. 4 , reference numerals  224   g  indicate aluminum wirings connected to their corresponding ground electrode pads  230   g , which are formed inside a semiconductor chip. Reference numerals  224   s  indicate aluminum wirings connected to the transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads  230   t  and  230   r , which are formed inside the semiconductor chip in like manner. 
     In the present embodiment, the redistribution wiring area is ensured outside the respective electrode pads ( 230   g ,  230   r  and  230   t ). Therefore, each redistribution wiring is not formed on the high-frequency circuit block  212 , and hence the electrical interference between the redistribution wiring  216   g  and the high-frequency circuit block  212  can be avoided. Since the transmitting antenna electrode pad  230   t  and the receiving antenna electrode pad  230   r  are connected to their corresponding posts  214  disposed directly thereabove, no redistribution wiring is required and hence degradation in transmission/reception characteristic of a high-frequency signal due to a parasitic parameter (LCR) component of each redistribution wiring portion can be reduced. 
     Further, ground terminals are shared by the ground redistribution wiring  216   g  in an area located outside the respective electrode pads ( 230   g ,  230   r  and  230   t ), so that the ground wiring  216   g  can be brought into low impedance. 
     Third Preferred Embodiment 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view showing an essential structure (wiring layout) of a WCSP according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an area for routing a ground (GND) redistribution wiring  316   g  is ensured between electrode pads ( 330   g ,  330   r  and  330   t ) and a chip edge  332  in a manner similar to the first and second embodiments. Posts  314  connected to their corresponding ground electrode pads  330   g  are disposed between a high-frequency circuit block  312  and the electrode pads ( 330   g ,  330   r  and  330   t ). 
     In the present embodiment, the transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads  330   t  and  330   r  are disposed inside (on the high-frequency circuit block  312  side) than the ground electrode pads  330   g . The transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads  330   t  and  330   r  are connected to their corresponding posts  314  disposed further inside than the transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads  330   t  and  330   r  by means of redistribution wiring layers  316   s . Spiral inductors  300  are formed midway through the redistribution wiring layers  316   s  by the redistribution wiring layers  316   s . The inductance of each spiral inductor  300  is set to the same degree as the value of the conventional one (equivalent to one mounted, as a chip part, to the outside of each of transmitting/receiving antenna terminals provided on a module substrate with an LSI mounted thereon. The lengths of the signal redistribution wirings  316   s  including the spiral inductors  300  are set to the same length to eliminate a phase difference. 
     A plurality of the ground electrode pads  330   g  are electrically connected to the ground redistribution wiring  316   g  in an area located outside the electrodes. A plurality of the posts  314  are disposed between the respective ground electrode pads  330   g  and the high-frequency circuit block  312 . The posts  314  are respectively connected to one another by the ground redistribution wiring  316   g . Here, the ground redistribution wiring  316   g  is preferably set as thick as possible within a range free of the occurrence of a problem in package reliability to reduce the impedance thereof. 
     On the other hand, the transmitting antenna electrode pad  330   t  and the receiving antenna electrode pad  330   r  are connected to their corresponding posts  314  by the signal redistribution wirings  316   s  with the spiral inductors  300  interposed therein. 
     In  FIG. 5 , reference numerals  324   g  indicate aluminum wirings connected to their corresponding ground electrode pads  330   g , which are formed inside a semiconductor chip. Reference numerals  324   s  indicate aluminum wirings connected to the transmitting and receiving antenna electrode pads  330   t  and  330   r , which are formed inside the semiconductor chip in like manner. 
     In the present embodiment, the redistribution wiring area is ensured outside the respective electrode pads ( 330   g ,  330   r  and  330   t ). Therefore, each redistribution wiring is not formed on the high-frequency circuit block  312 , and hence the electrical interference between the redistribution wiring  316   g  and the high-frequency circuit block  312  can be avoided. Further, ground terminals are shared by the ground redistribution wiring  316   g  in an area located outside the respective electrode pads ( 330   g ,  330   r  and  330   t ), so that the ground wiring  316   g  can be brought into low impedance. 
     Further, the formation of the spiral inductors  300  each having a characteristic equivalent to that of each chip inductor that has heretofore been disposed on the module substrate, within the WCSP by means of the redistribution wirings  316   s  contributes to a size reduction of a module with a high-frequency LSI mounted thereon. 
     While the preferred forms of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the following claims.