Taped lead frames and methods of making and using the same in semiconductor packaging

Abstract

The invention provides a taped lead frame for use in manufacturing electronic packages. The taped lead frame is composed of a tape and a lead frame formed from a plurality of individual metal features attached to the tape and arranged in a footprint pattern. The method of making the invention enables the thickness of conventional frames to shrink significantly to result in thinner packages for improved heat dissipation and shorter geometries for improved electrical performance. A plurality of such lead frames are arranged in an array on a sheet of tape and each lead frame is separated from surrounding lead frames by street regions on the tape such that no metal feature extends into a street region. Integrated circuit chips are attached and electrically connected to the lead frames and an encapsulant is applied, cured and dried over the lead frames and the street regions. Thereafter, the tape is removed and the lead frames are singulated by cutting through the encapsulant in the street regions to form individual packages. Singulation occurs in the street regions and does not cut into any metal feature forming the lead frame.