Lead-frame circuit package
View Patent ↗A lead-frame circuit package comprises a die and a substrate located thereon to route radio frequency signals to/from the die. The package preferably comprises an exposed pad on the die to receive a power amplifier device wherein the substrate is used to provide high-Q elements such as RF chokes on signal paths to/from the power amplifier device. In this manner, the design benefits from the power capabilities and improved grounding of a lead-frame conductor, whilst also achieving the routeing capabilities and small scale advantages provided by a multi-layer printed circuit substrate.
1. A lead-frame circuit package comprising:
a lead frame and a substrate located on a first side of the lead frame to route radio frequency signals to or from a power amplifier device, wherein the lead frame comprises an exposed pad located on the first side of the lead frame, the exposed pad having the power amplifier device thereon, the power amplifier device having a ground connection through to the lead-frame via a path that does not include the substrate.
2. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 further characterised in that the substrate is a multi-layer substrate or high density integration substrate to support signal routing to the power amplifier device.
3. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 further characterised in that the substrate supports tracks arranged to provide electrical characteristics equivalent to one or more radio frequency inductive choke(s).
4. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 further characterised in that the substrate is arranged to operably couple tracks to or from the lead-frame using wire-bonding.
5. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 further characterised in that the substrate is one of: organic, Low temperature Co-fired Ceramic substrate, an integrated passive device.
6. A lead-frame circuit package according to any preceding claim 1 further characterised in that the lead-frame circuit package is one of: Quad Flat No-lead package, Thin Quad Flat Pack or Small Outline package.
7. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 further characterised in that the substrate is arranged to support flipped or non-flipped dice and/or surface mount devices.
8. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 further characterised in that the substrate is arranged to be used as a relay pad within a high impedance integrated power amplifier implementation.
9. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 configured for use as a radio module.
10. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 configured for use as a radio frequency modem.
11. A substrate adapted for use with the lead-frame circuit package according to claim 1 .
12. A substrate according to claim 11 wherein the substrate is a multi-layer or a high density integration substrate.
13. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 2 further characterised in that the substrate supports tracks arranged to provide electrical characteristics equivalent to one or more radio frequency inductive choke(s).
14. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 2 further characterised in that the substrate is arranged to operably couple tracks to or from the lead frame using wire-bonding.
15. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 2 , further characterised in that the substrate is arranged to be used as a relay pad within a high impedance integrated power amplifier implementation.
16. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 3 , further characterised in that the substrate is arranged to be used as a relay pad within a high impedance integrated power amplifier implementation.
17. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 2 configured for use as a radio module.
18. A lead-frame circuit package according to claim 2 configured for use as a radio frequency modem.