Packaging Solutions For Unique Markets


The MicroLeadframe (MLF/QFN) packaging technology is the fastest growing IC packaging solution today. From a market segment perspective, MLF packaging solutions represent a >111B-unit market for 2022 across 5 unique markets: automotive, consumer, industrial, computing/networking, and communications. The package solution requirements across these markets varies but, the fundamental values the... » read more

Revising 5G RF Calibration Procedures For RF IC Production Testing


Modern radio frequency (RF) components introduce many challenges to outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) suppliers whose objective is to ensure products are assembled and tested to meet the product test specifications. The growing advancement and demand for RF products for cellphones, navigational instruments, global positioning systems, Wi-Fi, receiver/transmitter (Rx/Tx) componen... » read more

Keeping IC Packages Cool


Placing multiple chips into a package side-by-side can alleviate thermal issues, but as companies dive further into die stacking and denser packaging to boost performance and reduce power, they are wrestling with a whole new set of heat-related issues. The shift to advanced packaging enables chipmakers to meet demands for increasing bandwidth, clock speeds, and power density for high perform... » read more

The Drive Toward Zero Defects


The automotive semiconductor market has doubled twice in the past 20 years. But the next doubling will be even faster. While short-term results may vary, it is certain that auto semis will be much larger 10-20 years from now. Today, a gas-powered car has ~$400 of semiconductor content whereas the Tesla Model 3 with an electric powertrain and Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) has >4... » read more

Challenges For Achieving Automotive Grade 1/0 Reliability In FCBGA and fcCSP Packages


As the quantity, complexity, and functions of electronic devices in automobiles increase, understanding and characterizing package reliability is of significant concern and importance. The Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q-100 specification for Grade 1 and 0 reliability introduces unique challenges as thermal cycling (TC) and high temperature storage (HTS) requirements increase. Additional... » read more

Vehicle Electrification Driving Supply Chain Evolution


Dr. Ajay Sattu, Director, Automotive Product Marketing, Amkor Technology, Inc. If the recently concluded CES 2022 is any indication, the automotive industry is yet again in the cross hairs of both consumers and industry experts alike. Whether it’s the new electric vehicle (EV) model introductions, color changing technologies, or concept cars, automotive companies are slowly transforming th... » read more

Wirebond IC Substrates: Challenges Ahead


Substrate suppliers are slashing capacity allocated to wirebond IC substrates. We hear about "limited tenting capacity," "no support for EBS designs," and requests for "conversion to etchback" designs. What does all this mean? Let's start with "Line" and "Space." "Line" is the width of a trace on a substrate and "Space" is the distance between the two traces. For wirebond packages such a... » read more

Chiplets Enter The Supercomputer Race


Several entities from various nations are racing each other to deliver and deploy chiplet-based exascale supercomputers, a new class of systems that are 1,000x faster than today’s supercomputers. The latest exascale supercomputer CPU and GPU designs mix and match complex dies in advanced packages, adding a new level of flexibility and customization for supercomputers. For years, various na... » read more

Technology Advances, Shortages Seen For Wire Bonders


A surge in demand for IC packages is causing long lead times for wire bonders, which are used to assemble three-fourths of the world’s packages. The wire bonder market doubled last year, alongside advanced packaging’s rise. Wirebonding is an older technology that typically flies under the radar. Still, packaging houses have multitudes of these key tools that help assemble many — but no... » read more

Chip-Last HDFO (High-Density Fan-Out) Interposer-PoP


Interposer Package-on-Package (PoP) technology was developed and has been in very high-volume production over the last several years for high-end mobile application processors (APs). This is due to its advantages of good package design flexibility, controllable package warpage at room temperature (25°C) and high temperature (260°C), reduced assembly manufacturing cycle time and chip-last asse... » read more

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