Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 14/597,825, entitled “Low-Profile Stacked-Die MEMS Resonator System”, filed on Jan. 15, 2015 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,371,221), which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 13/681,065, entitled “Stacked Die Package for MEMS Resonator System”, filed on Nov. 19, 2012 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,941,247), which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 13/151,316, entitled “Stacked Die Package for MEMS Resonator System”, filed on Jun. 2, 2011 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,324,729), which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/763,801, entitled “Stacked Die Package for MEMS Resonator System”, filed on Jun. 15, 2007 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,022,554). This application and application Ser. Nos. 13/681,065, 13/151,316 and 11/763,801 claim priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/813,874, entitled, “Packages and/or Packaging Techniques for Microelectromechanical Devices”, filed on Jun. 15, 2006. Each of the aboved-identified applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the fabrication of packaged timing references and particularly to a packaging configuration for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) resonator systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Quartz resonator systems are used for timing applications in many electronic devices, including cell phones, automotive systems, game consoles, broadband communications, and almost any other digital product available. As quartz resonators decrease in size to meet the size constraints of new applications, the unit cost of quartz resonators increases while their reliability decreases. This is because some manufacturing processes become increasingly problematic with decreasing size, such as the formation and testing of a quartz resonator&#39;s hermetic seal. In addition, the reduction in size of quartz resonators may not even be practicable beyond a certain minimum size, given the mechanical constraints of the manufacturing processes currently in use. 
         [0004]    Micro-electromechanical systems, or MEMS, are also used as resonators for electronic devices. MEMS include devices ranging in size from the micrometer to the millimeter scale. NEMS devices are similar to MEMS, but significantly smaller in size—from the sub-micrometer scale down to the nanometer scale. MEMS and NEMS are distinguished from comparably sized electronic devices, such as integrated circuits, in that MEMS and NEMS include both electrical and moving mechanical components that are generally fabricated together using micro-machining techniques. 
         [0005]    One feature of MEMS devices in general, and MEMS resonator systems in particular, is that as MEMS resonators decrease in size, the unit cost of each MEMS resonator decreases, while the reliability of the smaller MEMS device is largely unaffected. This is because more MEMS devices can be manufactured on a given silicon substrate as the size of the MEMS device is reduced, thus defraying the per-substrate manufacturing cost over a larger number of MEMS devices. And, as long as manufacturing design rules are not exceeded, the performance and reliability of smaller MEMS devices is generally as robust as that of larger MEMS devices. Therefore, due to these cost- and performance-related reasons, there is an on-going effort to develop MEMS packaged timing references to replace quartz, ceramic, solid-state, and other types of packaged timing references in numerous electronic device applications. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a chip package for MEMS and NEMS resonator systems that allows for the replacement of conventional packaged timing references in existing applications and enables the use of MEMS packaged timing references in applications that are impractical for quartz and other types of packaged timing references. 
       SUMMARY OF ONE OF MULTIPLE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0007]    One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a packaging structure for an electromechanical resonator system. The packaging structure includes a control chip for an electromechanical resonator that comprises a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) or nano-electromechanical system (NEMS) resonator, and a second chip that includes the electromechanical resonator and is mounted on the control chip in a stacked die configuration, wherein the second chip is thermally coupled to the control chip by a thermally conductive epoxy. 
         [0008]    One advantage of the disclosed packaging structure is that it provides a small package footprint and/or small package thickness as well as low thermal resistance and a robust electrically conductive path between the second chip and the control chip. The disclosed package may therefore be used in lieu of alternate packaged timing references in various electronic devices due to cost, reliability, and size constraints. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a stacked die COL package configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a stacked die COL package configuration with a downset chip, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a flow chart outlining a process sequence for producing the COL package as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a stacked die COP package configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a flow chart outlining a process sequence for producing the COP package as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a stacked die COT package configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a flow chart outlining a process sequence for producing the COT package as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4-6  illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present inventions of a stacked die configuration including a MEMS chip or die and its associated control chip or die as well as exemplary process flows for several embodiments of the packages and packaging techniques therefor. Notably, each illustration and exemplary process flow includes two die packaging embodiment (for example, the MEMS and electrical/electronic integrated circuitry disposed in/on separate substrates/dice) as well as a one die packaging embodiment wherein one die is attached to the leadframe (for example, the MEMS and electrical/electronic integrated circuitry disposed in/on the same substrate/die). Where the MEMS and electrical/electronic integrated circuitry are disposed in/on separate substrates/dice, the processing with respect to “Wafer  2 ” may be omitted. In this regard, the MEMS may be disposed in/on the same substrate/die as electrical/electronic integrated circuitry and/or in or on a substrate/die that is not packaged (or attached to the leadframe) with the MEMS. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    For clarity, identical reference numbers have been used, where applicable, to designate identical elements that are common between figures. It is contemplated that features of one embodiment may be incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Embodiments of the invention contemplate stacked die package configurations for a MEMS resonator and its associated control chip that provide small package footprint and/or low package thickness. These stacked die package configurations further provide low thermal resistance and a robust electrically conductive path between the resonator chip and the control chip. Stacked die configurations include chip-on-lead (COL), chip-on-paddle (COP), and chip-on-tape (COT) packages. MEMS resonators contained in COL, COP, or COT stacked die packages, according to embodiments of the invention, may be beneficially used in lieu of quartz, ceramic, solid-state and other types of packaged timing references, due to the cost, reliability, and size constraints of these packaged timing references. In addition, the stacked die packages provided herein enable “drop-in” replacement of quartz packaged timing references used in existing applications, i.e., the form-factor and lead configuration of a packaged MEMS resonator can be made essentially identical to quartz-based packaged timing references. Thus, the replacement of a quartz packaged timing reference in an electronic device with a functionally equivalent MEMS packaged timing reference is transparent to the architecture of the device, and therefore no modifications to the device are necessary to accommodate the MEMS resonator package. 
       Chip-On-Lead Stacked Die 
       [0020]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a stacked die COL package configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. COL package  100  includes a MEMS chip  101 , a control chip  102 , and a plurality of leads  103 , which are assembled and enclosed inside a mold compound  104 . MEMS chip  101  includes a MEMS device layer  101 A and a bulk layer  101 B and is mounted onto control chip  102  with a conductive epoxy  105 , as shown. A fully formed MEMS resonator (not shown) is contained in MEMS device layer  101 A and is electrically coupled to control chip  102  by a plurality of bonding wires  106 , thereby allowing control chip  102  to power, control, and sense the output of the MEMS resonator. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1A , control chip  102  is a CMOS chip, but other micro-electronic control chips are also contemplated. Control chip  102  is mounted onto the leads  103 . An electrically non-conductive epoxy  107  bonds control chip  102  to leads  103 , and electrically insulates control chip  102  from leads  103 . A plurality of bonding wires  108  electrically couples control chip  102  to the appropriate leads  103  for the proper operation of control chip  102 , e.g., power, ground, resonator output signal, etc. Each lead  103  has an electrical contact surface  109  exposed on the bottom of COL package  100  to facilitate connection to a board (not shown) contained in a parent electronic device. 
         [0021]    Because the performance of MEMS resonators is temperature sensitive, control chip  102  contains a temperature sensor to compensate for temperature changes experienced by the MEMS resonator contained in the MEMS device layer  101 A. Proper operation of the MEMS resonator therefore depends on a short thermal path between the temperature sensor in control chip  102  and the MEMS resonator itself. Conductive epoxy  105  serves to mechanically bond MEMS chip  101  onto control chip  102 , while thermally coupling MEMS chip  101  to control chip  102 . In addition, conductive epoxy  105  may electrically couple MEMS chip  101  with control chip  102  via apertures  110  formed through passivation layer  102 B of control chip  102 . Passivation layer  102 B is an electrically insulating layer formed as a top layer of control chip  102  to protect the micro-electronic devices contained therein. Before MEMS chip  101  is bonded onto control chip  102 , apertures  110  are formed in passivation layer  102 B by lithographic methods known in the art. Conductive epoxy  105  then forms one or more conductive paths between the MEMS chip  101  and control chip  102 , as shown. These conductive paths prevent any potential difference from developing between MEMS chip  101  and control chip  102 . As used herein, “conductive” is defined as being sufficiently dissipative of electric charge to act as a conductive path for a static electric charge, i.e., having a resistivity of no more than about 1 to 10 Megohm-cm. 
         [0022]    Maximizing the surface area of MEMS chip  101  and control chip  102  that are in contact with conductive epoxy  105  enhances the thermal and electrical coupling provided by conductive epoxy  105 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1A , the entire backside of MEMS chip  101  and most of the surface of control chip  102  are in contact with conductive epoxy  105 . In addition, the thermal and electrical conductivity of conductive epoxy  105  may be enhanced by the presence of conductive particles, such as silver particles, included therein. Such thermally conductive epoxies are known in the art for application to the backside of COP packages for CMOS and other chips, but are typically not used as stacking epoxies due to their inherent rigidity and/or abrasiveness. To address this concern, conductive epoxy  105  is selected to have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is relatively close to that of silicon (Si), to minimize the mechanical stress induced by changes in temperature of the MEMS resonator and control chip  102 , which in turn reduces the force imparted on passivation layer  102 B. In this way, damage to passivation layer  102 B and control chip  102  is much less likely to occur when COL package  100  undergoes significant temperature changes. In one embodiment, conductive epoxy  105  has a coefficient of thermal expansion between about 2×10 −6 /° C. and about 170×10 −6 /° C. Examples of electrically and thermally conductive epoxies that may be used as conductive epoxy  105  include Hysol® QMI 505MT and Hysol® QMI 519. 
         [0023]    In addition to COL package  100 , other stacked die COL packages are contemplated for forming a compact and robust MEMS resonator package. For example, the MEMS chip  101  may be mounted to leads  103  and control chip  102  may then be mounted onto MEMS chip  101 . In another example, MEMS chip  101  and control chip  102  may only be partially stacked, or positioned in an asymmetrical configuration. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  illustrates another stacked die COL configuration contemplated by embodiments of the invention. COL package  190  is mounted to leads  193  in a downset chip configuration, as shown, and generally shares a number of substantially similar elements with COL package  100 , illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Identical reference numbers have been used, where applicable, to designate the common elements between COL package  100  and COL package  190 . Advantages of COL package  190  include a lower cross-sectional profile and a broader process window for wirebonding than can be provided by a standard COL package. Leads  193  are fabricated with an inset cavity  194 , and MEMS chip  101  and control chip  102  are positioned inside inset cavity  194  when mounted onto leads  193 . In this way, the cross-sectional profile, or thickness, P, of COL package  190  is substantially reduced compared to COL package  100 . In addition, the wirebonding process is more easily and reliably performed on COL package  190  than COL package  100  for two reasons. First, an upper surface  195  of control chip  102  can be substantially aligned with upper surface  196  of leads  193 , which may decrease the time necessary to complete the wirebonding process. Second, leads  193  generally form a more rigid support structure for control chip  102  during the wirebonding process than the more cantilevered configuration of leads  103  in COL package  100 , thereby increasing the process window of the wirebonding process. An alternate COL package option includes unetched leads, whereby the chips are neither cantilevered nor downset. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a flow chart outlining a process sequence  120  for producing COL package  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Process steps  121 - 123  may be carried out in parallel, as shown. 
         [0026]    In step  121 , a MEMS device die substantially similar to MEMS chip  101  in  FIG. 1A  is prepared for packaging. First, a MEMS device die containing a MEMS resonator is fabricated on a substrate using deposition, etching, and lithographic methods commonly known in the art. A plurality of dice may be fabricated on the substrate simultaneously. Next, a thinning process, such as a backgrind process, is performed on the substrate, followed by an optional polishing process. Lastly, the MEMS device die is diced from the substrate using a process similar to that for singulating integrated circuit (IC) chips from a silicon wafer. 
         [0027]    In step  122 , a leadframe containing leads substantially similar to leads  103  in  FIG. 1A  is fabricated. The leadframe is formed from a plated metallic substrate, such as copper plated with NiPdAu, using etching and lithographic methods commonly known in the art. Similar to the fabrication of a MEMS device die described in step  121 , the leads for a plurality of COL packages may be fabricated from a single substrate at once. 
         [0028]    In step  123 , a control die similar to control chip  102  is prepared for packaging. The control die, which is a conventional integrated circuit die, is fabricated and prepared via a process similar to step  121 , i.e., deposition, etching, lithography, thinning, and dicing are used to produce one or more singulated control dice from a silicon substrate. In addition, the control die is further prepared for packaging by the screen printing of an electrically non-conductive epoxy on the back of the silicon substrate prior to dicing. Alternatively, the electrically non-conductive epoxy may instead be deposited onto the leadframe directly as part of fabricating the leadframe in step  122 . 
         [0029]    In step  124 , the control die is attached to the leadframe with the electrically non-conductive epoxy. As noted above, the electrically non-conductive epoxy may be screen printed to the backside of the control die in step  123  or applied to the leadframe in step  122 . 
         [0030]    In step  125 , a conductive epoxy, which is substantially similar to conductive epoxy  105  in  FIG. 1A , is deposited in preparation for attaching the MEMS die onto the control die in a stacked die configuration. The conductive epoxy may be deposited onto the backside of the MEMS die or onto the requisite surfaces of the control die. 
         [0031]    In step  126 , the MEMS die is attached to the control die in a stacked die configuration using methods commonly known in the art. 
         [0032]    In step  127 , the MEMS die, the control die, and the leadframe are wirebonded as required to electrically couple the two dice to each other and to the leadframe. Because wirebonding the MEMS die and the control die involves pressing a ball bond or other wire onto a substantially cantilevered substrate, i.e., the leadframe, the process window for the wirebonding process may be substantially reduced compared to conventional wirebonding processes. For example, the force required to produce good electrical contact may be relatively close to the force required to plastically deform, and therefore damage, portions of the leadframe or control die. Alternatively, a leadframe having a downset chip configuration may be used to address this issue. 
         [0033]    In step  128 , the stacked die package is enclosed in a protective mold compound substantially similar to mold compound  104  in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0034]    In step  129 , the stacked die package is singulated out of the leadframe substrate using methods commonly known in the art. 
         [0035]    Other sequences in addition to process sequence  120  are contemplated for producing COL package  100 . For example, the MEMS die prepared in step  121  may be attached and wirebonded to the control die before the control die is attached to the leadframe in step  124 . In another example, part of step  121 , i.e., MEMS die preparation, may include the deposition of conductive epoxy onto the backside of the MEMS substrate prior to dicing thereof. In this case, deposition of the epoxy may include screen printing or other methods known in the art. 
         [0036]    The stacked die COL structure of COL package  100  is a compact, robust packaging structure for a MEMS resonator and control chip, made possible by the electrical and thermal conductive paths between MEMS chip  101  and control chip  102  that are formed by conductive epoxy  105 . Hence, the use of an electrically and/or thermally conductive epoxy having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially the same as silicon enables the packaging of a MEMS chip and a control chip as a COL stacked die structure. With a stacked die structure, COL package  100  can be configured with a footprint that is quite small relative to the size of MEMS chip  101  and control chip  102 . Because of its inherently small footprint, COL package  100  may be used as a drop-in replacement for applications utilizing small quartz resonator packages, such as 2.5 mm×2 mm QFN packages, among others. In addition, the stacked die structure of COL package  100  also allows the packaging of MEMS resonators with packages that have significantly smaller footprints than packaged timing references known in the art and smaller footprints than MEMS resonators packaged in standard chip packages. These smaller packages enable the use of a MEMS resonator packaged timing reference in developing applications requiring a thickness of less than 350 μm and/or a footprint of less than 1.6 mm×2.0 mm, which are impracticable for other types of packaged timing references, such as solid-state, ceramic, or quartz packaged timing references. 
         [0037]    The ability to reduce the size of a MEMS resonator package is beneficial for other reasons as well. Smaller packages are inherently more reliable, since they have less surface area for moisture ingress to contaminate epoxies and metal joints. In addition, smaller packages are subject to less thermally induced stress between the package and the board onto which the package is mounted or soldered. This is because the thermally induced stress produced between joined objects consisting of dissimilar materials is proportional to size of the objects. Further, smaller packages are more rigid, i.e., a given quantity of stress causes less strain and deflection of internal components in a smaller package than on those in a larger package. Hence, a smaller package undergoes less thermally induced stress and is also less sensitive to such stress. Because MEMS devices are very sensitive to strain and deflection, their reliability and accuracy is substantially improved when the package size is minimized. 
       Chip-On-Paddle Stacked Die 
       [0038]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a stacked die COP package configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. COP package  200  shares a number of substantially similar elements with COL package  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Identical reference numbers have been used, where applicable, to designate the common elements between COL package  100  and COP package  200 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , MEMS chip  101  is mounted on control chip  102  with conductive epoxy  105 , and both chips are wirebonded to each other and to a plurality of leads. As described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1A , conductive epoxy  105  electrically couples MEMS chip  101  to control chip  102  via apertures  110 , mechanically bonds the chips, and thermally couples the chips. In contrast to leads  103  of COL package  100 , leads  203  do not structurally support control chip  102  and MEMS chip  101 . Instead, control chip  102  is mounted on and supported by a die paddle  230 , which is electrically and physically isolated from one or more of the leads  203  as shown. 
         [0040]    Die paddle  230  serves as the primary region of thermal input and output for COP package  200 . Because of this, a thermally conductive and electrically conductive epoxy  207  may be used to bond control chip  102  to die paddle  230 . Alternatively, epoxy  207  may also be electrically insulative for some applications. Die paddle  230  extends beyond the edges of control chip  102 , as shown, producing an overlap region  231 . Overlap region  231  is a necessary feature of COP package  200  due to design rules known in the art regarding the structure of COP packages for IC or other chips. Also, because leads  203  and die paddle  230  are formed from what is initially a single continuous metallic substrate, one or more of leads  203  are separated from die paddle  230  by a minimum gap  232 , according to standard design rules known in the art for the leadframe etch process. Etch design rules, such as the maximum aspect ratios of etched features, are necessary for the reliable separation of leads  203  from the die paddle  230  during the etch process. When such design rules are violated, minimum gap  232  may be incompletely formed, and die paddle  230  may not be electrically isolated as necessary from one or more of leads  203 , thereby rendering the MEMS resonator in MEMS chip  101  inoperable. It is noted that, for clarity, overlap region  231  and minimum gap  232  have not been drawn to scale in  FIG. 2A  and are generally much larger relative to control chip  201  than shown. 
         [0041]    It is known in the art that, for a given chip footprint, COP packages are inherently larger than COL packages. This is due to overlap region  231  and minimum gap  232 , which make up a significant portion of COP package footprint, and therefore largely dictate the minimum size of a COP package, regardless of the sizes of the MEMS chip  101  and the control chip  102 . However, embodiments of the invention contemplate a stacked die COP package for MEMS resonators to better facilitate the drop-in replacement of existing quartz resonator applications. Packaged quartz resonators for existing applications may be relatively large, e.g., 5 mm×7 mm, and therefore do not require the smaller footprint benefit of a COL package, as described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1A . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a flow chart outlining a process sequence  220  for producing COP package  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . A number of the process steps for process sequence  220  are substantially similar to the corresponding process steps in process sequence  120 , described above, and are therefore provided with identical reference numbers, where applicable. 
         [0043]    In step  121 , a MEMS device die substantially similar to MEMS chip  101  in  FIG. 1A  is prepared for packaging. This process step is described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0044]    In step  222 , a leadframe substantially similar to the leadframe containing leads  203  in  FIG. 2A  is fabricated. With the exception of the particular features formed into the metallic substrate, this process step is substantially identical to step  122 , described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . Because the features formed into a leadframe substrate for a COP package, i.e., the die paddle and leads, are easier to fabricate than the more complicated features of a COL package leadframe, conventional etching and lithographic methods commonly known in the art may be used for step  222 . 
         [0045]    In step  223 , a control die similar to control chip  102  is prepared for packaging. This process step is substantially similar to step  123 , described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C , except that the electrically non-conductive epoxy may also be selected to be electrically and/or thermally conductive. In this way, control chip  102  is thermally coupled to die paddle  230 , thereby allowing die paddle  230  to act as the primary region of thermal input and output for COP package  200 . Electrically conductive epoxy allows the control chip  102  to be electrically coupled to the die paddle  230 . 
         [0046]    In step  124 , the control die is attached to the leadframe with the thermally conductive, electrically conductive epoxy. This process step is described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . Alternately, the conductive epoxy could be non-electrically conductive. 
         [0047]    In step  125 , a conductive epoxy, is deposited in preparation for attaching the MEMS die onto the control die in a stacked die configuration. This process step is also described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0048]    In step  126 , the MEMS die is attached to the control die in a stacked die configuration using methods commonly known in the art. This process step is also described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0049]    In step  127 , the MEMS die, the control die, and the leadframe are wirebonded as required to electrically couple the two dice to each other and to the leadframe. The wirebonding process for COP packaging is commonly known in the art, and is further described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0050]    In step  128 , the stacked die package is enclosed in a protective mold compound substantially similar to mold compound  104  in  FIG. 1A . This process step is described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0051]    In step  129 , the stacked die package is singulated out of the leadframe substrate using methods commonly known in the art. This process step is also described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0052]    Other sequences in addition to process sequence  220  are contemplated for producing COP package  200 . For example, the MEMS die prepared in step  121  may be attached to the control die before the control die is attached to the leadframe in step  124 . In another example, part of step  121 , i.e., MEMS die preparation, may include the deposition of conductive epoxy onto the backside of the MEMS substrate prior to dicing thereof. 
       Chip-On-Tape Stacked Die 
       [0053]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a stacked die COT package configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. COT package  300  shares a number of substantially similar elements with COL package  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Therefore, identical reference numbers have again been used, where applicable, to designate the common elements between COL package  100  and COT package  300 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , MEMS chip  101  is mounted on control chip  102  with conductive epoxy  105 , and both chips are wirebonded to each other and to leads  303 . As described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1A , conductive epoxy  105  electrically couples MEMS chip  101  to control chip  102  via apertures  110 , mechanically bonds the chips, and thermally couples the chips. In contrast to COL package  100  and COP package  200 , control chip  102  and leads  303  are mounted onto an adhesive tape  330 , thereby enabling a lower cross-sectional profile, P, for COT package  300  than is practicable for COL and COP MEMS resonator packages. In this way, the cross-sectional profile P of COT package may be  350  pm or less. The control chip  102  may be bonded directly to the adhesive tape  330 , or an epoxy layer may be deposited between the control chip  102  and the adhesive tape  330 . Positioning leads  303  and control chip  102  as shown on adhesive tape  330  electrically and physically isolates leads  303  from control chip  102 . Control chip  102  and MEMS chip  101  are wirebonded to each other and to leads  303  as shown. In some applications, adhesive tape  330  is removed after mold compound  104  is formed around MEMS chip  101  and control chip  102 , thereby exposing an exposed chip surface  331  of control chip  102  and electrical contact surface  109  of leads  303 . In other applications, tape  330  is left in place and electrical contact is made to electrical contact surface  109  via metallic layers deposited on adhesive tape  330 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a flow chart outlining a process sequence  320  for producing COT package  300  as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . A number of the process steps for process sequence  320  are substantially similar to the corresponding process steps in process sequence  120 , described above, and are therefore provided with identical reference numbers, where applicable. 
         [0056]    In step  121 , a MEMS device die substantially similar to MEMS chip  101  in  FIG. 1A  is prepared for packaging. This process step is described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0057]    In step  322 , a leadframe substantially similar to the leadframe containing leads  303  in  FIG. 3A  is fabricated. With the exception of the particular features formed into the metallic substrate, this process step is substantially identical to step  122 , described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0058]    In step  323 , a control die similar to control chip  102  is prepared for packaging. This process step is substantially similar to step  123 , described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C , except that the epoxy applied to the backside of the silicon substrate may be either electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive, depending on the application for COT package  300 . 
         [0059]    In step  324 , the control die for the COT package are attached to an adhesive tape substantially similar to adhesive tape  330  in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0060]    In step  125 , a conductive epoxy is deposited in preparation for attaching the MEMS die onto the control die in a stacked die configuration. This process step is described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0061]    In step  126 , the MEMS die is attached to the control die in a stacked die configuration using methods commonly known in the art. This process step is also described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0062]    In step  327 , the MEMS die, the control die, and the leads are wirebonded as required to electrically couple the two dice to each other and to the leads mounted on the adhesive tape using wirebonding processes for COT packaging commonly known in the art. 
         [0063]    In step  128 , the stacked die package is enclosed in a protective mold compound substantially similar to mold compound  104  in  FIG. 1A . This process step is described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1C . 
         [0064]    In step  329 , the stacked die package is singulated out of the leadframe using methods commonly known in the art. 
         [0065]    Other sequences in addition to process sequence  320  are contemplated for producing COT package  300 . For example, a MEMS chip may first be mounted onto a control chip as described in step  126 , then the control chip may be mounted onto the adhesive tape as described in step  324 . In addition, the MEMS chip may be wirebonded to the control chip before the control chip is mounted onto the adhesive tape. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 4-6  illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present inventions of a stacked die configuration including a MEMS chip and its associated control chip as well as exemplary process flows for several embodiments of the packages and packaging techniques therefor. Notably, the materials for certain structures are identified in the exemplary embodiments and exemplary process flows of  FIGS. 4-6 . For example, the leadframe is identified as being “Copper, NiPdAu preplated” and the die attach is identified as “Epoxy”. Such materials are merely exemplary. Other materials are suitable. Indeed, all materials, whether now known or later developed which may be implemented are intended to fall within the scope of the present inventions. 
         [0067]    For example, the die attach epoxy  1  and/or die attach epoxy  2  may be any type of adhesive. Further, such adhesive may also enhance the thermal transfer characteristics and/or the electrical conductivity between the two structures (for example, between die  1  and die  2 ). 
         [0068]    Moreover, certain aspects of the steps of the exemplary process flows of  FIGS. 4-6  are identified as optional (for example, “polish optional”). Clearly, other steps of the flows are optional or unnecessary to the package and packaging techniques of the present inventions. For example, the process flow steps of “Test” and “Ship” are unnecessary to implement the package and packaging techniques of the present inventions. Thus, neither the step nor the order of the steps outlined in the exemplary process flows should be interpreted as mandatory and/or performed exclusively in the particular manner/order. 
         [0069]    In addition, the process flow step of “Back Grind” may be unnecessary where, for example, the thickness of the wafer is suitable for packaging (for example, where the thickness of the processed wafers is sufficiently “thin” to accommodate the package and/or packaging constraints (if any) without thinning via, for example, back grinding). In this regard, the wafer(s) may be processed without back grinding or polishing (for example, via chemical mechanical polishing techniques). 
         [0070]    Notably, the wafer thinning process step (for example, “Back Grind”), where employed, may be implemented using a dice before grind technique. In this embodiment, the wafer thinning process may first partially dice the wafer(s) and thereafter grind back the backside of the wafer(s) until the dice are detached. In this way, the individual die/dice (for example, electrical/electronic integrated circuitry substrate/die and/or the MEMS substrate/die) are singulated and available for further processing. 
         [0071]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Technology Category: 5