Patent Abstract:
A chip package for an image sensor includes a first semiconductor chip having a first surface where a photographing device and a first circuit pattern are formed and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface where a second circuit pattern is formed. The first and second circuit patterns are electrically connected. The chip package further includes a second semiconductor chip attached to a second circuit pattern on the second surface of the first semiconductor chip. A printed circuit board faces the second surface of the first semiconductor chip and transfers an electric signal between the first and second semiconductor chips and externally. A housing accommodates the first and second semiconductor chips. The housing allows light to pass through to the photographing device.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0102038, filed on Oct. 19, 2006, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a chip package for an image sensor and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a chip package for an image sensor which reduces the volume of a camera module including an image sensor, a digital signal processor, a memory, and a PCB by combining the above parts into a single package, and a manufacturing method thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    An image sensor is a device that changes light indicating an image of an object into an electric signal for each pixel. An image sensor is used for small electronic products capable of photographing still images and motion pictures, for example, digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), rear view monitoring cameras included in bumpers, and interphones. The image sensor includes a charge coupled device (CCD) and a complementary MOSFET oxidized semiconductor (CMOS). The image sensor is a type of semiconductor chip. 
         [0006]    A semiconductor chip is packaged for protection from external shocks, the environment and the exchange of electric signals with the outside. An image sensor chip is connected to a digital signal processor (DSP) to process an electric signal output from the image sensor chip and to a memory to store image information. Also, the image sensor chip is electrically interconnected to a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and a hard printed circuit board (HPCB) to exchange electric signals with an electronic device outside a camera module. 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are sectional views showing conventional chip packages for an image sensor. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an image sensor chip  1  is wire-bonded to the upper surface of an HPCB  6  via a metal wire  3 . A DSP  7  is electrically connected to the HPCB  6  by being flipchip bonded to the lower surface of the HPCB  6 . An infrared (IR) cut filter  9  to cut an unnecessary infrared ray is arranged above an image sensor  2 . Since the DSP  7  is located at the lower surface of the HPCB  6 , it is difficult to reduce the volume of the chip package so that the miniaturization of electronic products is difficult. 
         [0008]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the image sensor chip  1  is arranged at the lowermost position of a housing  4 . A peripheral part of the upper surface of the image sensor chip  1  is electrically connected to the FPCB  8  via flip chip bonding  1   a.  The DSP  7  is located at a portion of the FPCB  8  positioned outside the housing  4 . Thus, it is difficult to reduce the volume of the chip package and thereby reduce the size of an electronic product, such as a camera, containing the chip package. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    To solve the above and/or other problems, the present invention provides a chip package for an image sensor which can incorporate an image sensor, a digital signal processor, a memory, and a PCB into a single package so that the volume of a camera module including the above parts is reduced, and a manufacturing method for a chip package for an image sensor. 
         [0010]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a chip package for an image sensor comprises a first semiconductor chip having a first surface where a photographing device and a first circuit pattern are formed and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface where a second circuit pattern is formed, the first and second circuit patterns being electrically connected, a second semiconductor chip attached to the second circuit pattern, a printed circuit board facing the second surface of the first semiconductor chip and transferring an electric signal between the first and second semiconductor chips and external to the chip package for an image sensor, and a housing accommodating the first and second semiconductor chips with the printed circuit board and having an opening to allow light incident on the photographing device to pass. 
         [0011]    The circuit patterns on the first and second surfaces of the first semiconductor chip are electrically connected by filling a through hole or a via hole formed in the first semiconductor chip with tungsten in a chemical vapor deposition method. The second circuit pattern of the first semiconductor chip is flip chip bonded to the printed circuit board so that the first and second semiconductor chips exchange an electric signal with the outside of the chip package for an image sensor. The second semiconductor chip may be a DSP chip and/or a memory chip. 
         [0012]    Since the first semiconductor chip, the second semiconductor chip, and the printed circuit board are integrally packaged in a vertical direction, the volume of the chip package for an image sensor can be reduced. Also, since the first semiconductor chip, the second semiconductor chip, and the printed circuit board are interconnected by the flip chip interconnection, the degree of integration of the package can be increased and the electric characteristic and heat dissipation characteristic are improved. 
         [0013]    Since an IR cut filter can be deposited on the surface of the photographing device of the first semiconductor chip, the size of the chip package for an image sensor can be further decreased. 
         [0014]    At least a portion of the remaining space between the first semiconductor chip and the printed circuit board is filled with an electrically non-conductive material so that the shock-resistant characteristic and reliability of the chip package for an image sensor are improved. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a chip package for an image sensor comprises forming a first semiconductor chip by forming a photographing device and a first circuit pattern on a first surface of a die, forming a second circuit pattern on a second surface of the die, forming a via hole or a through hole in the die, electrically connecting the first and second circuit patterns via the via hole or the through hole, interconnecting at least one second semiconductor chip to the second circuit pattern in a flip chip bonding method, connecting the second circuit pattern on the second surface of the die to a printed circuit board, and fixing a housing having an opening through which light incident on the photographing device passes, to the printed circuit board. 
         [0016]    The operations from the providing the first semiconductor chip to the interconnecting of the second semiconductor chip to the circuit pattern on the second surface of the first semiconductor chip are performed in a semiconductor wafer level. Thus, the time and costs for manufacturing the chip package for an image sensor are much reduced. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a conventional chip package for an image sensor; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of another conventional chip package for an image sensor; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a chip package for an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the chip package for an image sensor of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the chip package for an image sensor of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a step of providing a first semiconductor chip by forming a photographing device and a circuit pattern on the upper surface of a die; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a step of forming a circuit pattern on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a step of forming a via hole or through hole in the first semiconductor chip; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6D  illustrates a step of electrically connecting the circuit patterns formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the first semiconductor chip; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6E  illustrates a step of electrically connecting a second semiconductor chip to the circuit pattern on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6F  illustrates a step of forming a bump on the circuit pattern on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6G  illustrates a step of electrically connecting the circuit pattern on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip to the FPCB; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6H  illustrates a step of filling a remaining space between the first semiconductor chip and the FPCB with an electrically non-conductive material; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6I  illustrates a step of fixing the housing to the PCB; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 6J  illustrates a step of fixing the lens assembly to the housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a chip package for an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the chip package for an image sensor of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the chip package for an image sensor of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , a chip package for an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first semiconductor chip  10 . A photographing device  12  is formed on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . A predetermined circuit pattern  13  electrically connected to the photographing device  12  is formed on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  and/or inside the first semiconductor chip  10 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the photographing device  12  is located at the center of the first semiconductor chip  10  and the circuit pattern including a chip bond pad  13  at the peripheral portion of the first semiconductor chip  10 . The arrangement and number of the chip bond pad  13  may diversely vary. 
         [0035]    A filter  19 , for example, an infrared (IR) cut filter, can be formed on the photographing device  12 . The filter  19  can be deposited on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  where the photographing device  12  is located in a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) or PVD (physical vapor deposition) method. In the present embodiment, unlike the conventional technology, there is no need for the wire bonding or flip chip bonding on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . As a result, deposition on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  is possible. Thus, since the filter  19  is not needed to be separately attached to the housing  40  above the first semiconductor chip  10 , the volume of the chip package can be reduced. 
         [0036]    Also, predetermined circuit patterns  14  and  15  including a conductive pad  15  are formed on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . The circuit patterns  13  on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  and the circuit patterns  14  including the chip bond pad  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  are electrically connected via a via hole or a through hole. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a second semiconductor chip  20 , for example, a digital signal processor (DSP) chip  21  and/or a memory chip  22 , is electrically connected to a predetermined chip bond pad  15  of the circuit patterns  14  and  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . As a result, an electric signal output from the photographic device  12  through the conductive pad  15  is transferred to the DSP chip  21  and/or the memory chip  22 . Also, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB)  30  is electrically connected to the chip bond pad  15 . As a result, the photographing device  12 , the DSP chip  21 , and the memory chip  22  can exchange electrical signals with external parts. 
         [0037]    The electric connection can be made in a variety of methods, preferably, in a flip chip bonding method. Also, the electric connection can be made in a tape automated bonding (TAB) method. That is, the first semiconductor chip  10  and the second semiconductor chip  20  are integrally deposited in a vertical direction. Thus, the volume of the chip package can be reduced. Also, the flip chip bonding has the following merits. That is, when the first semiconductor chip  10  and the second semiconductor chip  20  are coupled in the flip chip interconnection method, 1) eliminating bond wires reduces the required board area and requires far less height (smallest size), 2) flip chip offers the highest speed electrical performance (highest performance), 3) flip chip gives the greatest input/output connection flexibility (greatest I/O flexibility), 4) flip chip, when completed with an adhesive “underfill”, are solid little blocks of cured epoxy so that flip chip is mechanically the most rugged interconnection method (most rugged), and 5) flip chip can be the lowest cost interconnection for high volume automated production (lowest cost). 
         [0038]    Furthermore, passive devices (not shown) such as capacitors, resistors, and coils can be mounted to be electrically connected to the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . As the method of electrically connecting the passive devices to the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 , in addition to the method of mounting individual passive devices, a method of integrating the passive devices on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  in the form of a thin film or a thick film can be used. 
         [0039]    A bump  16  is formed on the chip bond pad  15  of the circuit patterns  14  and on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . The bump  16  is a conductive protrusion that can electrically connect the first semiconductor chip  10  to the circuit patterns  14  including the chip bond pad  15  in the flip chip interconnection or TAB method. The bump  16  is formed of a metal material such as gold (Au), solder, copper (Cu), conductive resin in which metal particles are mixed in resin, or a resin-metal composition material in which the metal material is coated on a resin surface. The position and number of the bump  16  are variable. 
         [0040]    The bump  16  and a conductive pad  31  of the FPCB  30  are electrically connected in the flip chip bonding method. Consequently, the first semiconductor chip  10 , the second semiconductor chip  20 , and the FPCB  30  are integrally deposited in a direction from the upper surface toward the lower surface. Thus, the volume of the chip package for an image sensor can be reduced. 
         [0041]    A space between the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  and the FPCB  30  can be filled with underfill. Thus, the shock-resistant characteristic and reliability can be improved. 
         [0042]    The housing  40  is coupled to the upper surface of the FPCB  30  to encompass the first semiconductor chip  10  and the second semiconductor chip  20 . The upper side of the housing  40  is open. Screw threads are formed on the inner circumferential side of the upper portion of the housing  40  so that a lens assembly  45  can be screw coupled to the upper portion of the housing  40 . Thus, the housing  40  protects the chip package for an image sensor from external shocks and environment and keeps sealing. A series of lenses, a barrel, and a zooming actuation member are coupled to the lens assembly  45 . 
         [0043]    According to the above structure, the chip package for an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention can be packaged to take less volume so that the volume of a camera module can be reduced much. As a result, the size of an electronic product having a camera module can be further reduced. 
         [0044]    A method of manufacturing the chip package for an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 6A through 6J . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a step of providing the first semiconductor chip  10  by forming the photographing device  12  and the circuit pattern  13  on the upper surface of a wafer die  11 . Referring to  FIG. 6A , the first semiconductor chip  10  is made from a silicon wafer. That is, the photographing device  12  is formed by processing the upper surface of the wafer die  11 , for example, by selectively repeating a film forming process, a film patterning process, and an impurity doping process several times. The circuit pattern  13  is formed for wiring of the photographing device  12 . The circuit pattern  13  is generally formed in a masking process after forming an aluminum thin film. The aluminum thin film can be formed, for example, in the PVD process. Also, a passivation layer (not shown) is further provided to protect the circuit pattern ( 13 ) layer. The step shown in  FIG. 6A  can be performed in a semiconductor wafer level as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0046]    After the step shown in  FIG. 6A  is complete, a step of grinding the lower surface of the wafer die  11  is additionally performed. This process is needed to make the wafer to have an appropriate thickness because the wafer is initially formed to be thick to easily handle the wafer during the process of forming the photographing device  12  in the wafer die  11 . However, this grinding step is not necessary. In addition, a protection film can be formed to completely insulate the grinded lower surface of the wafer die  11 . 
         [0047]    Although it is not shown in the drawings, after the above step, a step of further forming the filter  19 , for example, an IR cut filter, on the surface of the photographing device  12  of the first semiconductor chip  10  may be provided. The filter  19  can be deposited in the CVD or PVD method on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  where the photographing device  12  exists. When the filter  19  is not deposited on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 , the filter  19  can be fixedly provided inside the housing  40 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a step of forming the circuit patterns  14  and  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . Referring to  FIG. 6B , the circuit patterns  14  and  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  can be formed in the same method as that used for forming the circuit pattern  13  on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . A passivation layer (not shown) to protect the circuit patterns  14  and  15  can further be formed. The step shown in  FIG. 6B  can be performed in the semiconductor wafer level. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a step of forming a via hole or through hole  17  in the first semiconductor chip  10 . The hole  17  can be formed using mechanical drilling or laser drilling. The step shown in  FIG. 6C  can be performed in the semiconductor wafer level. 
         [0050]      FIG. 6D  illustrates a step of electrically connecting the circuit patterns  13  and  15  formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the first semiconductor chip  10 . In this step, tungsten  18  is deposited in the via hole or through hole  17  in the CVD method or copper  18  is plated on the via hole or through hole  17  in an electro copper plating method. Thus, the circuit pattern  13  on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  and the circuit patterns  14  and  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  are electrically connected. Since the hole forming method or interlayer electric connection method is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. The step shown in  FIG. 6D  can be performed in the semiconductor wafer level. 
         [0051]      FIG. 6E  illustrates a step of electrically connecting the second semiconductor chip  20  to the circuit patterns  14  and  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . The second semiconductor chip  20  may be the DSP chip  21  or the memory chip  22 . Also, in the second semiconductor chip  20  that is electrically connected, any one or both of the DSP chip  21  and the memory chip  22  can be mounted on the first semiconductor chip  10 . 
         [0052]    The second semiconductor chip  20  can be electrically connected to the circuit patterns  14  and  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  in the flip chip bonding or TAB method. To this end, a bump  25  is formed on the conductive pad of the second semiconductor chip  20 . The bump  25  can be formed by many methods including, but not limited to, an evaporation method, an electroplating method, an electroless plating method, a screen printing method, a solder ball mounting method, a stud method, a needle-depositing method or a Super-Juffit method. 
         [0053]    The second semiconductor chip  20  where the bump  25  is formed is arranged on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  and bonded in a direct attachment method. The direct attachment method may be a flip chip bonding, TAB or other method. According to the flip chip bonding method, the second semiconductor chip  20  is flipped such that the upper surface of the second semiconductor chip  20  faces the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  and the bump  25  of the second semiconductor chip  20  is directly attached to the conductive pad of the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . The flip chip bonding method can be performed using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF), a non-conductive paste (NCP), or a non-conductive film (NCF). In addition, the flip chip bonding method can be performed by a solder combination, a heat-pressure combination, a thermosonic combination. The step shown in  FIG. 6E  can be performed in the semiconductor wafer level. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6F  illustrates a step of forming the bump  16  on the circuit pattern  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 . The bump ( 16 ) forming method is similar to the above-described bump ( 25 ) forming method. The size of the bump  16  formed on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  can be appropriately adjusted such that the second semiconductor chip  20  is not located lower than the level of the lowermost portion of the bump  16 . That is, the bump  16  formed on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  not only works as a device for electrically connecting the first semiconductor chip  10  and the FPCB  30 , but also adjusts the height of the chip package for an image sensor to accommodate the second semiconductor chip  20  in a space between the first semiconductor chip  10  and the FPCB  30 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 6G  illustrates a step of electrically connecting the circuit pattern  15  on the lower surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  to the FPCB  30 . The electric connection can be formed using a flip chip bonding, TAB or other method. The steps shown in  FIGS. 6F and 6G  can be performed in the semiconductor wafer level. 
         [0056]    That is, the steps shown in  FIGS. 6A through 6G  can be performed in the semiconductor wafer level. Then, after sawing or singularizing the wafer die  11 , the remaining steps can be performed. As a result, lots of steps of the chip packaging for an image sensor can be performed in the wafer level so that the manufacturing steps can be performed quickly and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6H  illustrates a step of filling underfill in a space between the first semiconductor chip  10  and the FPCB  30 . After the first semiconductor chip  10  and the FPCB  30  are electrically connected to each other, the underfill is performed to fill the space therebetween. The underfill can be flow, no-flow, wafer level or other type. In the present embodiment, thermosetting sealant is dispensed to the side surface of the first semiconductor chip  10  so that the sealant permeates through the space according to a capillary phenomenon. Then, as the sealant is cured, the shock-resistant characteristic and reliability of the chip package for an image sensor can be improved. 
         [0058]      FIG. 6I  illustrates a step of fixing the housing  40  to the PCB  30 . A variety of methods can be used for this purpose. For example, sealant (not shown) is dispensed around the upper surface of the FPCB  30 . The housing  40  is arranged and placed on the FPCB  30  to fit to a sealant coating portion. By curing the sealant, the housing  40  is firmly fixed to the FPCB  30 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 6J  illustrates a step of fixing the lens assembly  45  to the housing  40 . The upper portion of the housing  40  is open and screw threads are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper portion of the housing  40 . The lens assembly  45  is screw coupled to the screw threads. Thus, the photographing device  12  and the DSP chip  21  are integrally packaged in the housing  40  and the FPCB  30  so that the chip package for an image sensor is complete. 
         [0060]    In particular, the chip package for an image sensor according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6J  is effective in reducing the volume by integrating the first semiconductor chip  10 , the second semiconductor chip  20 , and the FPCB  30  in the vertical direction in the flip chip bonding method. Also, since the IR cut filter  19  is deposited on the upper surface of the first semiconductor chip  10 , the volume of the chip package for an image sensor can be further reduced. In addition, since a lot of steps can be performed in the wafer level, the manufacturing time and costs can be reduced. 
         [0061]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7