Patent ID: 12205876

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To make objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application more clear, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Terms used in the following embodiments of this application are merely intended to describe specific embodiments, but are not intended to limit this application. The terms “one”, “a” and “this” of singular forms used in this specification and the appended claims of this application are also intended to include expressions such as “one or more”, unless otherwise specified in the context clearly.

Reference to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” described in this specification or the like means that one or more embodiments of this application include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in combination with the embodiment. Thus, phrases “in one embodiment”, “in some embodiments”, “in some other embodiments”, “in some additional embodiments”, and the like that appear in different parts in this specification do not necessarily mean referring to a same embodiment, but mean “one or more embodiments, but not all embodiments”, unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms “include”, “comprise”, “have”, and their variants all mean “include but are not limited to”, unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

In addition, same reference numerals in the figures represent same or similar structures. Therefore, repeated description thereof is omitted. Expressions of positions and directions described in this application are described by using the accompanying drawings as examples. However, changes may be made as required, and the changes fall within the protection scope of this application. The accompanying drawings in this application are merely used to illustrate a relative position relationship and do not represent a true scale.

The embedded packaging structure provided in the embodiments of this application may be applied to various terminal devices, for example, may be applied to terminal devices such as a smartphone, a smart TV, a smart TV set top box, a personal computer (PC), a wearable device, and a smart broadband. It should be noted that the embedded packaging structure provided in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, application to these and any other suitable type of terminal devices. As shown inFIG.1, a mobile phone is used as an example. The terminal device includes a housing20and a printed circuit board disposed in the housing20. The printed circuit board is provided with an embedded packaging structure10. The printed circuit board may be a main board30of the terminal device, and the embedded packaging structure10is electrically connected to the main board30.

FIG.2is a schematic diagram of a structure of an example of an embedded packaging structure10according to an embodiment of this application. Referring toFIG.2, the embedded packaging structure may include: a substrate frame11, and a first through hole V1and a second through hole V2that run through the substrate frame11along a thickness direction of the substrate frame11. In other words, the substrate frame11has an upper surface11aand a lower surface11bthat are oppositely disposed, and both the first through hole V1and the second through hole V2run from the upper surface11ato the lower surface11b. A metal connection electrode111is disposed in the first through hole V1, and the connection electrode111provides an interconnection between components located on the upper surface11aand the lower surface11bof the substrate frame11. An electronic component112is embedded in the second through hole V2, and a pin1121of the electronic component112is exposed at a hole opening of the second through hole V2, so that a signal can be subsequently provided for the electronic component112through the pin1121. The substrate frame11is made of silicon or a ceramic, that is, the substrate frame11is formed by using a silicon substrate or a ceramic substrate. Compared with a substrate frame11formed by using a resin material in an existing technology, the substrate frame11in this application has better heat dissipation performance, moisture resistance, and strength in addition to providing insulation. Reliability and an electrical characteristic of an ECP product can be significantly improved.

FIG.3is a schematic flowchart of an example of a preparation method for an embedded packaging structure according to an embodiment of this application. Referring toFIG.3, the preparation method mainly includes the following steps.

S301: Form a substrate frame, where the substrate frame is made of silicon or a ceramic, and the substrate frame is provided with a first through hole and a second through hole that run through the substrate frame along a thickness direction of the substrate frame.

S302: Form a metal connection electrode in the first through hole, and embed an electronic component in the second through hole, where a pin of the electronic component is exposed at a hole opening of the second through hole.

It may be understood that a sequence of forming the metal connection electrode and embedding the electronic component is not limited in this application. The metal connection electrode may be formed first in the first through hole, and then the electronic component is embedded in the second through hole. Alternatively, the electronic component may be embedded first in the second through hole, and then the metal connection electrode is formed in the first through hole.

An example in which the substrate frame is made of silicon is used. The first through hole and the second through hole may be formed first on a wafer by using a through silicon via (TSV) process; then, the metal connection electrode is formed in the first through hole; and subsequently, the electronic component is embedded in the second through hole. Alternatively, the first through hole and the second through hole may be formed first on a wafer by using a through silicon via (TSV) process; then, the electronic component is embedded in the second through hole; and subsequently, the metal connection electrode is formed in the first through hole.

During specific implementation, the electronic component may be embedded in the second through hole by using a resin material. For example, as shown inFIG.2, the electronic component112may be placed in the second through hole V2first, and then the second through hole V2is filled with the resin material113, so that the electronic component112is embedded in the second through hole V2and the pin1121of the electronic component112is exposed on a surface of the resin material113.

The embedded electronic component is not limited in this application. For example, the electronic component may be an active electronic component or a passive electronic component. When the electronic component112is an active electronic component, the electronic component112may be a die shown inFIG.4. A die is a crystal before packaging of the chip. Each die is one chip that has an independent function and that has not been packaged, and may include one or more circuits. The chip may be chips with different functions, such as a CPU chip, a radio frequency driving chip, or another chip of a processor. When the electronic component112is a passive electronic component, the electronic component112may be a capacitor C, a resistor R, an inductor, or the like shown inFIG.4.

Further, when the embedded electronic component is a die, the die is generally formed on a wafer. When materials of the substrate frame and the wafer of the die are the same, because the main material properties of the substrate frame and the wafer of the die are the same, coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of the substrate frame and the wafer of the die match well, and thermal shock resistance is strong. Therefore, a probability of delamination of a bonding interface between the embedded electronic component and the substrate frame caused due to thermal shock when an ambient temperature changes sharply can be reduced.

It should be noted that quantities and sizes of first through holes and second through holes are not limited in this application, and need to be set based on a specific function of the embedded packaging structure. For example, the size of the second through hole may be set based on a size of the embedded electronic component that needs to be embedded, and the quantity of second through holes may be set based on a quantity of embedded electronic components.

To improve a heat dissipation capability of the embedded packaging structure, as shown inFIG.4, a heat dissipation hole V3is further formed in the substrate frame11, where an extension direction of the heat dissipation hole V3is perpendicular to a thickness direction of the substrate frame11, and the heat dissipation hole V3is not communicated with the first through hole V1or the second through hole V2. A specific size of the heat dissipation hole V3and a specific quantity of heat dissipation holes V3are designed based on a heat dissipation requirement. When air with a temperature lower than that of the substrate frame11is controlled to flow through the heat dissipation hole V3, it is air-cooled heat dissipation. In this way, heat is taken away by the air flowing through the heat dissipation hole V3. When liquid with a temperature lower than that of the substrate frame11is controlled to flow through the heat dissipation hole V3, it is liquid-cooled heat dissipation. In this way, heat is taken away by the liquid flowing through the heat dissipation hole V3.

It should be noted that a sequence of forming the heat dissipation hole in the substrate frame is not limited in this application. The heat dissipation hole may be formed at any time before the embedded packaging structure is formed, for example, may be formed before or after the first through hole and the second through hole are formed; may be formed before or after the metal connection electrode is formed; or may be formed before or after the electronic component is embedded.

Refer toFIG.5andFIG.6, in this application, after forming a metal connection electrode111in the first through hole V1, and embedding the electronic component112in the second through hole V2, the method may further include: forming a first interconnection line layer12on a side of the substrate frame11and on a side on which the pin1121of the electronic component112is exposed, where the first interconnection line layer12is electrically connected to a terminal of the metal connection electrode111and the pin1121of the electronic component112. In the embedded packaging structure10, the metal connection electrode111in the substrate frame11and the electronic component112are interconnected by using the first interconnection line layer12. The first interconnection line layer12is directly disposed on the substrate frame11, and compared with an existing technology, an insulation medium layer disposed between the first interconnection line layer12and the substrate frame11is not needed. Therefore, a thickness of the embedded packaging structure10can be thinner, a structure and a process of the embedded packaging structure10can be simplified, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

During specific implementation, the first interconnection line layer may include at least one conducting layer, and a circuit line is disposed on the conducting layer. When the first interconnection line layer includes two or more conducting layers, an insulation medium layer is further disposed between neighboring conducting layers. In this case, an aperture is provided through the insulation medium layer to connect circuit lines on different conducting layers.

For example, as shown inFIG.5, the first interconnection line layer12includes only one conducting layer, and a circuit line on the conducting layer is separately electrically connected to a terminal of the metal connection electrode111and the pin1121of the electronic component112. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.6, the first interconnection line layer12includes a first conducting layer121, a second conducting layer122, and an insulation medium layer123located between the first conducting layer121and the second conducting layer122. A circuit line on the first conducting layer121is separately electrically connected to a terminal of the metal connection electrode111and the pin1121of the electronic component112, and the circuit line on the first conducting layer121is electrically connected to a circuit line on the second conducting layer122through an aperture through the insulation medium layer123.

It should be noted that a quantity of conducting layers included in the first interconnection line layer is not limited in this application, and may be designed based on an actual requirement.FIG.5andFIG.6are illustrated only by using an example in which the first interconnection line layer includes one conducting layer or two conducting layers.

Further, after forming the metal connection electrode in the first through hole, and embedding the electronic component in the second through hole, and before forming the first interconnection line layer, the method further includes: forming a first insulation medium layer between the substrate frame and the to-be-formed first interconnection line layer, so that the to-be-formed first interconnection line layer is electrically connected to the terminal of the metal connection electrode and the pin of the electronic component through a via running through the first insulation medium layer.

For example, as shown inFIG.9andFIG.10, the embedded packaging structure10may further include: a first insulation medium layer13located between the first interconnection line layer12and the substrate frame11, where the first interconnection line layer12is electrically connected to the terminal of the metal connection electrode111and the pin1121of the electronic component112through a via running through the first insulation medium layer13. The first insulation medium layer13is used as a stress buffer layer, so that a CTE gradient between the first interconnection line layer12and the substrate frame11decreases, thereby reducing a stress generated when the first interconnection line layer12and the substrate frame11are interconnected.

It should be noted that a circuit line on the first interconnection line layer11closest to a conducting layer of the substrate frame11is electrically connected to a terminal of the metal connection electrode111and the pin1121of the electronic component112through a via running through the first insulation medium layer13. For example, inFIG.10, a circuit line on the first conducting layer121is electrically connected to a terminal of the metal connection electrode111and the pin1121of the electronic component112through the via running through the first insulation medium layer13, and a circuit line on the second conducting layer122is electrically connected to the circuit line on the first conducting layer121through the aperture through the insulation medium layer123.

To implement an interconnection between the embedded packaging structure and an external component (for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) or another chip) or a substrate, the embedded packaging structure and the outside may be interconnected by using a pad. A position of the pad and a quantity of pads need to be set based on a connection requirement of the embedded packaging structure to the outside.

Therefore, in this application, after forming a first interconnection line layer, the method may further include: forming a first solder mask layer on a side of the first interconnection line layer facing away from the substrate frame, where the first solder mask layer is provided with an opening configured to expose a part of an area of the first interconnection line layer; and forming a first pad in the opening of the first solder mask layer, where the first pad is electrically connected to the first interconnection line layer exposed by the opening of the first solder mask layer.

For example, as shown inFIG.11toFIG.14, the embedded packaging structure10may further include a first solder mask layer14and a plurality of first pads151. The first solder mask layer14is located on a side of the first interconnection line layer12facing away from the substrate frame11, and the first solder mask layer14is provided with openings configured to expose a part of an area of the first interconnection line layer12. The first pads151are located in the openings of the first solder mask layer14, and the first pads151are electrically connected to the first interconnection line layer12exposed by the openings of the first solder mask layer14. In this way, the embedded packaging structure10and the external component or the substrate are interconnected by using the first pads151. Positions of the first pads may be re-arranged on the first interconnection line layer12, to arrange the first pads to an area with a wider pitch. The first solder mask layer14may prevent a short circuit between the first pads151.

In this application, only one side of the substrate frame may be provided with a line layer and a pad. Alternatively, each of the two sides of the substrate frame may be provided with a line layer and a pad, so that the two sides of the substrate frame may be interconnected to the external component or the substrate, and the two sides of the substrate frame may be interconnected by using the metal connection electrode.

In this application, after forming the metal connection electrode111in the first through hole V1, and embedding the electronic component112in the second through hole V2, the method may further include: forming a second interconnection line layer16on a side of the substrate frame11facing away from the first interconnection line layer12, where the second interconnection line layer16is electrically connected to another terminal of the metal connection electrode111. That is, the two sides of the embedded packaging structure10may be interconnected to the external component or the substrate by using the first interconnection line layer12and the second interconnection line layer16, and the first interconnection line layer12and the second interconnection line layer16may be interconnected by using the metal connection electrode111. In addition, the second interconnection line layer16is directly disposed on the substrate frame11, and compared with an existing technology, an insulation medium layer disposed between the second interconnection line layer16and the substrate frame11is not needed. Therefore, a thickness of the embedded packaging structure10can be thinner, a structure and a process of the embedded packaging structure10can be simplified, and manufacturing costs are reduced.

During specific implementation, the second interconnection line layer may include at least one conducting layer, and a circuit line is disposed on the conducting layer. When the second interconnection line layer includes two or more conducting layers, an insulation medium layer is further disposed between neighboring conducting layers. In this case, an aperture is provided through the insulation medium layer to connect circuit lines on different conducting layers.

For example, as shown inFIG.7, the second interconnection line layer16includes only one conducting layer, and a circuit line on the conducting layer is electrically connected to another terminal of the metal connection electrode111. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.8, the second interconnection line layer16includes a third conducting layer161, a fourth conducting layer162, and an insulation medium layer163located between the third conducting layer161and the fourth conducting layer162. A circuit line on the third conducting layer161is electrically connected to another terminal of the metal connection electrode111, and the circuit line on the third conducting layer161is electrically connected to the circuit line on a fourth conducting layer162through an aperture through the insulation medium layer163.

It should be noted that a quantity of conducting layers included in the second interconnection line layer is not limited in this application, and may be designed based on an actual requirement.FIG.7andFIG.8are illustrated only by using an example in which the second interconnection line layer includes one conducting layer or two conducting layers.

Further, after forming the metal connection electrode in the first through hole, and embedding the electronic component in the second through hole, and before forming the second interconnection line layer, the method further includes: forming a second insulation medium layer between the substrate frame and the to-be-formed second interconnection line layer, so that the to-be-formed second interconnection line layer is electrically connected to the other terminal of the metal connection electrode through a via running through the second insulation medium layer.

For example, as shown inFIG.9andFIG.10, the embedded packaging structure10may further include: a second insulation medium layer17located between the second interconnection line layer16and the substrate frame11, where the second interconnection line layer16is electrically connected to the other terminal of the metal connection electrode111through a via running through the second insulation medium layer17. The second insulation medium layer17is used as a stress buffer layer, so that a CTE gradient between the second interconnection line layer16and the substrate frame11decreases, thereby reducing a stress generated when the second interconnection line layer16and the substrate frame11are interconnected.

It should be noted that a circuit line on the second interconnection line layer16closest to a conducting layer of the substrate frame11is electrically connected to another terminal of the metal connection electrode111through the via running through the second insulation medium layer17. For example, inFIG.10, a circuit line on the third conducting layer161is electrically connected to another terminal of the metal connection electrode111through the via running through the second insulation medium layer17, and a circuit line on the fourth conducting layer162is electrically connected to the circuit line on the third conducting layer161through the aperture through the insulation medium layer163.

Further, in this application, after forming the second interconnection line layer, the method may further include: forming a second solder mask layer on a side of the second interconnection line layer facing away from the substrate frame, where the second solder mask layer is provided with an opening configured to expose a part of an area of the second interconnection line layer; and forming a second pad in the opening of the second solder mask layer, where the second pad is electrically connected to the second interconnection line layer exposed by the opening of the second solder mask layer.

For example, as shown inFIG.11toFIG.14, the embedded packaging structure10may further include a second solder mask layer18and a plurality of second pads191. The second solder mask layer18is located on a side of the second interconnection line layer16facing away from the substrate frame11, and the second solder mask layer18is provided with openings configured to expose a part of an area of the second interconnection line layer16. The second pads191are located in the openings of the second solder mask layer18, and the second pads191are electrically connected to the second interconnection line layer16exposed by the openings of the second solder mask layer18. In this way, the embedded packaging structure10and the external component or the substrate are interconnected by using the second pads191. Positions of the second pads191may be re-arranged on the second interconnection line layer16, to arrange the second pads191to an area with a wider pitch. The second solder mask layer18may prevent a short circuit between the second pads191.

In this application, the metal connection electrode located in the first through hole is generally a copper electrode. This is not limited herein.

Optionally, the insulation medium layer may be made of silicon oxide, nitride oxide, epoxy resin, or the like. Materials of insulation medium layers at different positions may be the same or may be different. This is not limited herein.

During actual preparation, the solder mask layer may be a layer structure prepared from a ceramic or high-temperature glass material, and the conducting layer may be a layer structure prepared from any conductive material such as gold, silver, copper, or the like. This is not limited herein.

It should be noted that a sequence of separately forming the foregoing structures on two sides of the substrate frame11is not limited in this application.FIG.14is used as an example. Here, the sequence of formation on the upper surface of the substrate frame11is: the second insulation medium layer17, the second interconnection line layer16, the second solder mask layer18, and the second pads191, and the forming sequence on the lower surface of the substrate frame11is: the first insulation medium layer13, the first interconnection line layer12, the first solder mask layer14, and the first pads151. The second insulation medium layer17, the second interconnection line layer16, the second solder mask layer18, and the second pads191may be sequentially formed on the upper surface of the substrate frame11first; and then, the first insulation medium layer13, the first interconnection line layer12, the first solder mask layer14, and the first pads151are sequentially formed on the lower surface of the substrate frame11. Alternatively, the first insulation medium layer13, the first interconnection line layer12, the first solder mask layer14, and the first pads151may be sequentially formed on the lower surface of the substrate frame11first; and then, the second insulation medium layer17, the second interconnection line layer16, the second solder mask layer18, and the second pads191are sequentially formed on the upper surface of the substrate frame11. Alternatively, a part of the structure may be formed on the upper surface, or the lower surface, of the substrate frame11first; then, a part of the structure is formed on the lower surface, or the upper surface, of the substrate frame11; and next, another part of structure is formed on the upper surface, or the lower surface, of the substrate frame11. For example, the second insulation medium layer17and the second interconnection line layer16may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate frame11first; then, the first insulation medium layer13and the first interconnection line layer12are formed on the lower surface of the substrate frame11; next, the second solder mask layer18and the second pads191are formed on the upper surface of the substrate frame11; and finally, the first solder mask layer14and the first pads151are formed on the lower surface of the substrate frame11. Alternatively, for example, the first insulation medium layer13and the first interconnection line layer12may be formed on the lower surface of the substrate frame11first; then, the second insulation medium layer17and the second interconnection line layer16are formed on the upper surface of the substrate frame11; next, the first solder mask layer14and the first pads151are formed on the lower surface of the substrate frame11; and finally, the second solder mask layer18and the second pads191are formed on the upper surface of the substrate frame11.

During specific implementation, in this application, the method may further include: forming a chip unit on one side of the substrate frame. That is, the chip unit and the substrate frame are integrated, so that the embedded packaging structure can be formed integrally by using an existing semiconductor wafer process technology and an existing equipment resource to reduce production costs.

During actual production, the chip unit may be formed before the electronic component is embedded, or the chip unit may be formed after the electronic component is embedded. This is not limited herein.

The chip unit usually refers to the foregoing die, and includes a semiconductor material and a circuit layer arranged on the semiconductor material. A semiconductor component such as a transistor is formed on the semiconductor material. A plurality of layers of circuits are disposed in a circuit layer, and various functional circuits are generally disposed. These circuits are coupled to the semiconductor component on the semiconductor material to form a complete chip circuit structure. A surface on a side on which the circuit layer in the chip is located is referred to as an active surface, and a surface on a side (the other side corresponding to the active surface) on which the semiconductor material in the chip is located is referred to as a passive surface.

In this application, as shown inFIG.15andFIG.16, the chip unit21may be located on an upper surface of the substrate frame11, that is, disposed on a side of the substrate frame11facing the first interconnection line layer12; or may be located on a lower surface of the substrate frame, that is, disposed on a side (not shown in the figure) of the substrate frame11facing the second interconnection line layer16. This is not limited herein. A difference between the chip unit and the embedded die lies in that the substrate frame is reused as a wafer of the chip unit, and the embedded die is formed by cutting after preparation on an additional wafer. The wafer of the embedded die and the substrate frame are not the same wafer.

Any one of the foregoing embedded packaging structures provided in the embodiments of this application may be applied to a terminal device. As shown inFIG.1, the terminal device may further include a housing20and a main board30disposed in the housing20. The embedded packaging structure10may be disposed on the main board30. A problem-resolving principle of the terminal device is similar to that of the foregoing embedded packaging structure. Therefore, for implementation of the terminal device, refer to the implementation of the foregoing embedded packaging structure. Repeated parts are not described again.

The foregoing description is merely a specific implementation of this application, but is not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily recognized by a person skilled in the art is within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.