US5366589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bonding pad with circular exposed area and method thereof
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1993-11-16
•
Granted: 1994-11-22
•
Expires: 2013-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A bonding pad is covered by an passivation layer to provide insulation and anti-corrosion protection. The passivation layer over the bonding pad is etched away to expose a circular area of the bonding pad where the bonding wire is attached. By shaping the passivation layer on top of the metal area in the form of a smooth curvature, there are no sharp edges. The circular exposed metal area minimizes the electric field density produced by application of a high voltage to the bonding pad and thereby avoids breakdown of the passivation layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Li-Hsin Chang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:00
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/01; H10W72/019; H10W72/90; H10W72/50; H10W72/531; H10W72/536; H10W72/5366; H10W72/59; H10W72/931; H10W72/932; H10W72/951; H10W72/952; H10W72/981; H10W72/983; H10W74/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S228/00; Y10S228/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A bonding pad, comprising: a metal area coupled for receiving a high voltage input signal; a passivation layer disposed on top of said metal area for providing insulation, said passivation layer being shaped to create an exposed portion of said metal area having a smooth curvature; and a bonding wire coupled to said exposed portion of said metal area for receiving said high voltage input signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A bonding pad, comprising: a metal area coupled for receiving a high voltage input signal; a passivation layer disposed on top of said metal area for providing insulation, said passivation layer being shaped to create an exposed portion of said metal area having a smooth curvature; and a bonding wire coupled to said exposed portion of said metal area for receiving said high voltage input signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bonding pad of claim I wherein said exposed portion of said metal area is circular in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bonding pad of claim 2 wherein said metal area is made of aluminum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bonding pad of claim 3 wherein said passivation layer is made of oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bonding pad of claim 3 wherein said passivation layer is made of nitride.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of bonding to a pad, comprising the steps of: providing a metal area for receiving a high voltage input signal; disposing a passivation layer on top of said metal area for providing insulation; shaping said passivation layer on top of said metal area to create an exposed portion of said metal area having a smooth curvature; and attaching a bonding wire to said exposed portion of said metal area for receiving said high voltage input signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of bonding to a pad, comprising the steps of: providing a metal area for receiving a high voltage input signal; disposing a passivation layer on top of said metal area for providing insulation; shaping said passivation layer on top of said metal area to create an exposed portion of said metal area having a smooth curvature; and attaching a bonding wire to said exposed portion of said metal area for receiving said high voltage input signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said shaping step includes the step of etching said passivation layer in a circular form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 further including forming said metal area with aluminum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 further including forming said passivation layer with oxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 further including forming said passivation layer with nitride.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
A bonding pad, comprising: a metal area coupled for receiving a high voltage input signal; a passivation layer disposed on top of said metal area for providing insulation, said passivation layer being shaped to create a circular exposed portion of said metal area; and a bonding wire coupled to said circular exposed portion of said metal area for receiving said high voltage input signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
A bonding pad, comprising: a metal area coupled for receiving a high voltage input signal; a passivation layer disposed on top of said metal area for providing insulation, said passivation layer being shaped to create a circular exposed portion of said metal area; and a bonding wire coupled to said circular exposed portion of said metal area for receiving said high voltage input signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bonding pad of claim 11 wherein said metal area is made of aluminum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bonding pad of claim 12 wherein said metal area further includes copper.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bonding pad of claim 12 wherein said passivation layer is made of oxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bonding pad of claim 12 wherein said passivation layer is made of nitride.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5244833A
Cited
US5266446A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |