Semiconductor devices with conductive clips

1. A method for making a semiconductor device, comprising:

forming a lead frame structure that includes a plurality of conductive mounting platforms;

mounting a first surface of one of a plurality of die to each of the plurality of conductive mounting platforms;

forming a clip structure that is distinct from the lead frame structure, and that includes a plurality of conductive clips, wherein a first end of each conductive clip is fixed and connected to the clip structure, and a second end of each conductive clip is free;

placing the lead frame structure with the plurality of die in proximity to the clip structure so as to attach each second end of each of the conductive clips to a second surface of one of the plurality of die, the first end of each conductive clip being oriented approximately 180 degrees from the conductive mounting platform of the lead frame with respect to the first and second surfaces of the device, the conductive clip conductively coupling the second surface of the die to the lead conductive mounting platform of the lead frame;

encapsulating each die to form a plurality of semiconductor devices on the lead frame; and

separating each semiconductor device from the lead frame structure and the clip structure.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein aligning includes using a fiducial hole to align the clip structure and the lead frame structure.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a conductive adhesive material to at least one of each conductive mounting platform and the first surface of each die.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a conductive adhesive material to at least one of each conductive clip and the second surface of each die.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein mounting the first surface of a die to a conductive mounting platform includes applying a conductive adhesive material to the conductive mounting platform and mounting a conductive portion of the first surface of the die to the conductive adhesive material.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein mounting the clip structure to the lead frame structure includes applying a conductive adhesive material to a conductive portion of a second surface of the die and mounting a corresponding conductive clip to the conductive adhesive material.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a packaging enclosure around at least one portion of a semiconductor assembly formed by each conductive mounting platform, each die, and each conductive clip.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor device is a surface-mount discrete power device.

9. A method for making a semiconductor device, comprising:

mounting a first surface of each of a plurality of die to each of a plurality of conductive mounting platforms of a lead frame structure;

aligning a clip structure that is distinct from the lead frame structure to the lead frame structure, the clip structure including a plurality of conductive clips, wherein a first end of each conductive clip is fixed and connected to the clip structure, and a second end of each conductive clip is free, and wherein aligning includes using at least one reference structure to align the plurality of conductive clips to corresponding die such that the free, second ends of the each conductive clip are positioned over a second surface of each of the plurality of die, the first end of each conductive clip being oriented approximately 180 degrees from the conductive mounting platform of the lead frame with respect to the first and second surfaces of the device;

mounting the clip structure to the lead frame structure, wherein the mounting comprises placing the lead frame structure with the plurality of die in proximity to the clip structure so as to form an electrically conductive path between each die and the second, free end of the conductive clip and a conductive mounting platform of the lead frame structure to which each die is mounted;

encapsulating each die to form a plurality of semiconductor devices on the lead frame; and

separating each of the semiconductor devices from the lead frame and the clip structure, including disconnecting each conductive clip from the clip structure and disconnecting each conductive mounting platform from the lead frame structure.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the reference structure includes a fiducial hole in at least one of the clip structure and the lead frame structure.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising applying a conductive adhesive material to at least one of each conductive mounting platform, the first surface of each die, and a second surface of each die.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein mounting the clip structure to the lead frame structure includes applying a conductive adhesive material to a conductive portion of a second surface of the die and mounting a corresponding conductive clip to the conductive adhesive material.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising forming an enclosure around each semiconductor assembly including each conductive mounting platform, each die, and each conductive clip.