Semiconductor package using terminals formed on a conductive layer of a circuit board

Abstract

A small package is provided for a flash EEPROM memory. The small package uses terminals which are part of a bottom conductive layer of a circuit board. In this manner, the final package can be quite thin. The circuit board can be connected to the integrated circuits and passive devices and can be encapsulated in plastic or glued to a plastic cover. In this manner, a thin and relatively inexpensive package can be formed. Additionally, the circuit board can have testing connections which can be removed before forming the final package.

1 . A package including: 
 a circuit board;    a set of circuit elements on the circuit board, the set of circuit elements including at least one integrated circuit and passive components; and    packaging material surrounding the set of circuit elements and part of the circuit board, wherein one side of the circuit board includes a set of terminals that are visible from the side of the package, the set of terminals being positioned away from the edge of the circuit board.    
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging material includes molded plastic.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the packaging material includes a bordering frame.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein one side of the circuit board is exposed.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the exposed side of the circuit board material includes the set of terminals connected to the remainder of the circuit board by vias.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the circuit board material is attached to the packaging material by epoxy.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit elements include at least two integrated circuits and passive devices.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the thickness of the package is less than 12 mils.  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is a flash EEPROM package.  
   
   
       10 . A package including: 
 a circuit board;    at least one integrated circuit on the circuit board; and    packaging material surrounding the set of circuit elements and part of the circuit board, wherein one side of the circuit board is exposed, the exposed side of the circuit board material including a set of terminals connected to the remainder of the circuit board by vias.    
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the circuit board material is attached to the packaging material by epoxy.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein on the exposed side of the circuit board only the set of terminals is exposed.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the circuit elements include at least two integrated circuits and passive devices.  
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the thickness of the package is less than 12 mils.  
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the package is a flash EEPROM package.  
   
   
       16 . A package including: 
 a circuit board;    a set of circuit elements on the circuit board, the set of circuit elements including at least one integrated circuit and passive components; and    a plastic material encasing the set of circuit elements and part of the circuit board, wherein one side of the circuit board includes a set of terminals that are accessible from the side of the package, the set of terminals being positioned away from the edge of the circuit board.    
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein one side of the circuit board is exposed.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the exposed side of the circuit board material includes the set of terminals connected to the remainder of the circuit board by vias.  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein the circuit board material is attached to the packaging material by epoxy.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein on the exposed side of the circuit board only the set of terminals is exposed.