Extended lead package

Abstract

This invention provides an extended lead package and method of forming the extended lead package for electronic circuit packages. A lead frame having extended leads is used. The extended leads extend under the bottom side of an integrated circuit element or chip. The bottom side of the chip is attached to the extended leads using bonding material which is a thermal conductor and an electrical insulator. Electrical connections between the chip input/output pads and the leads are provided by wire bonds using standard wire bonding techniques. The bonding material can be a tape having adhesive on one or both sides which attaches the chip to the lead frame using mechanical pressure, and/or other means such as curing or the addition of heat. Thermal energy is removed from the package by the thermal conduction path provided by the bonding material. The completed assembly can be encapsulated using standard methods.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of packaging electronic circuits, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an integrated circuit element having a first surface, a second surface, and input output/pads on said first surface;    providing a plurality of electrically conducting leads, wherein a part of some of said electrically conducting leads extend under said second surface of said integrated circuit element;    placing bonding material between said second surface of said integrated circuit element and said parts of said electrically conducting leads extending under said second surface of said integrated circuit element, wherein said bonding material is a thermal conductor, and an electrical non-conductor;    attaching said second surface of said integrated circuit element to said parts of said electrically conducting leads extending under said second surface of said integrated circuit element using said bonding material; and    forming electrical connections between said input/output pads on said first surface of said integrated circuit element and said conducting leads.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said bonding material is a thermally conductive and electrically non-conductive tape having adhesive on one or both sides of said tape.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said bonding material comprises polyimide, epoxy paste, or polyimide and epoxy paste.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said electrically conducting leads are metal.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said electrically conducting leads are copper.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said electrically conducting leads are gold.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1    further comprising encapsulating said integrated circuit element, said electrically conductive wire forming electrical connections between said input/output pads on said first surface of said integrated circuit element and said conducting leads, said bonding material, and that part of said electrically conducting leads extending under said second surface of said integrated circuit element using encapsulating material.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 7    wherein said encapsulating material is plastic.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said electrical connections comprise gold wire.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said electrical connections comprise aluminum or solder.  
     
     
         11 . An electronic circuit package, comprising: 
 an integrated circuit element having a first surface, a second surface, and input output/pads on said first surface;    a plurality of electrically conducting leads, wherein a part of some of said electrically conducting leads extend under said second surface of said integrated circuit element;    bonding material between said second surface of said integrated circuit element and said parts of said electrically conducting leads extending under said second surface of said integrated circuit element, wherein said bonding material is a thermal conductor, an electrical non-conductor, and attaches said second surface of said integrated circuit element to said parts of said electrically conducting leads extending under said second surface of said integrated circuit element; and    electrical connections formed between said input/output pads on said first surface of said integrated circuit element and said conducting leads.    
     
     
         12 . The electronic circuit package of    claim 11    wherein said bonding material is a thermally conductive and electrically non-conductive tape having adhesive on both sides of said tape.  
     
     
         13 . The electronic circuit package of    claim 11    wherein said bonding material comprises polyimide, epoxy paste, or polyimide and epoxy paste.  
     
     
         14 . The electronic circuit package of    claim 11    wherein said electrically conducting leads are metal.  
     
     
         15 . The electronic circuit package of    claim 11    wherein said electrically conducting leads are copper.  
     
     
         16 . The electronic circuit package of    claim 11    wherein said electrically conducting leads are gold.  
     
     
         17 . The electronic circuit package of    claim 11    further comprising an encapsulating material covering said integrated circuit element, said electrically conductive wire forming electrical connections between said input/output pads on said first surface of said integrated circuit element and said conducting leads, said bonding material, and that part of said electrically conducting leads extending under said second surface of said integrated circuit element.  
     
     
         18 . The electronic circuit package of    claim 17    wherein said encapsulating material is plastic.  
     
     
         19 . The electronic circuit package of    claim 11    wherein said electrical connections comprise gold wire.  
     
     
         20 . The electrical circuit package of    claim 11    wherein said electrical connections comprise aluminum or solder.