IP Library Granted Patent US 9,018,029
Granted Patent B1
US 9,018,029 · App. 14/099,502 · Granted Apr 28, 2015

Vent hole sealing in multiple die sensor device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,018,029
App. No.
14/099,502
Granted
Apr 28, 2015
Kind
B1
Abstract

Embodiments of methods of fabricating a sensor device include attaching first and second die to one another to define first and second cavities in which first and second sensors of the sensor device are disposed, respectively. The second die has an opening in communication with the second cavity. The methods further include obstructing the opening, attaching a third die to the second die. The first cavity is hermetically sealed by attaching the first and second die. The second cavity is hermetically sealed by attaching the third die to the second die.

Claims (44)

1. A method of fabricating a sensor device, the method comprising:

attaching first and second die to one another to define first and second cavities in which first and second sensors of the sensor device are disposed, respectively, the second die having an opening in communication with the second cavity;

obstructing the opening; and

attaching a third die to the second die;

wherein the first cavity is hermetically sealed by attaching the first and second die; and

wherein the second cavity is hermetically sealed by attaching the third die to the second die.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein obstructing the opening comprises depositing a plug in the opening.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plug comprises an epoxy material.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

attaching the first and second die comprises attaching first and second wafers comprising the first and second die, respectively;

depositing the plug is performed after attaching the first and second wafers; and

the method further comprises dicing the first and second wafers to form a die stack comprising the first and second sensors.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein obstructing the opening comprises depositing a film on the second die to cover the opening.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein:

attaching the first and second die comprises attaching first and second wafers comprising the first and second die, respectively;

depositing the film is performed after attaching the first and second wafers; and

the method further comprises dicing the first and second wafers to form a die stack comprising the first and second sensors.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first and second sensors are disposed on the first die; and

the second die is configured as a cap die.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the third die comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the third die comprises a third sensor.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching a further die to the second die.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching a further die to the third die.

12. A method of fabricating a sensor device, the method comprising:

attaching first and second wafers to one another to define first and second cavities in which first and second sensors of the sensor device are disposed, respectively, the second wafer having a vent hole in communication with the second cavity;

depositing an obstruction on the second wafer to obstruct the opening; and

attaching a die over the second cavity to hermetically seal the second cavity with the opening remaining obstructed by the obstruction.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein depositing the obstruction comprises depositing a plug in the opening.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising dicing the first and second wafers to form a die stack comprising the first and second sensors, wherein attaching the die comprises attaching the die to the die stack after dicing the first and second wafers.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein:

the first and second sensors are disposed on the first wafer; and

the second wafer is configured as a cap wafer.

16. A sensor device comprising:

a first die;

a second die attached to the first die to define first and second cavities in which first and second sensors are disposed, respectively, the second die having an opening in communication with the second cavity;

an obstruction disposed relative to the opening to obstruct the opening; and

a third die attached to the second die to seal the second cavity.

17. The sensor device of claim 16 , wherein the third die is attached to the second die with a seal ring that surrounds the opening to hermetically seal the second cavity.

18. The sensor device of claim 16 , wherein the obstruction comprises a plug in the opening.

19. The sensor device of claim 16 , wherein the obstruction comprises a film on the second die covering the opening.

20. The sensor device of claim 16 , wherein:

the first cavity has a first pressure; and

the second cavity has a second pressure higher than the first pressure.

Assignments (22)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040632 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Sep 21, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 044209/0047 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040632/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE FILING AND REMOVE APPL. NO. 14085520 REPLACE IT WITH 14086520 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037515 FRAME: 0390. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Mar 1, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037926/0642 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT APPL. NO. 14/085,520 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037515 FRAME: 0420. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037879/0581 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT OF INCORRECT NUMBER 14085520 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037458 FRAME: 0420. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTON OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037785/0568 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT OF INCORRECT PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 14085520 ,PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037458 FRAME: 0399. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037785/0454 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT OF INCORRECT APPL. NO. 14/085,520 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037515 FRAME: 0390. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037792/0227 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037458 FRAME 0420. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Jan 14, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037515/0420 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037458 FRAME 0399. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Jan 14, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037515/0390 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 7, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FOUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037458/0420 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 7, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FOUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037458/0399 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0790 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032445/0689 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032445/0577 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032445/0493 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2013
From: BOWLES, PHILIP H.; HOLM, PAIGE M.; HOOPER, STEPHEN R.; LIU, LIANJUN; ROOP, RAYMOND R.
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 031735/0319 →