Semiconductor chip package that is also an antenna
First Claim
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1. An integrated active antenna structure, comprising:
- an antenna which operates at an RF operating frequency, said antenna having walls defining a cavity, an opening leading to said cavity, and an interior mounting surface within said cavity;
a semiconductor integrated circuit chip which is physically mounted on the interior mounting surface of said antenna, and which is connected to apply an RF drive signal to said antenna, the dimensions of said chip being small enough to permit installation thereof within said cavity by passing said chip through said opening;
material encapsulating said chip within said cavity; and
leads insulated from said antenna and electrically connected to said chip within said cavity, said leads extending outside said cavity through said opening to provide external electrical connection to said chip.
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Abstract
An integrated antenna structure wherein a metallic RF antenna provides part of the package structure for an RF transmit/receive chip. The requirement for a separate package to house the driver chip as well as for the wire or cable between the driver chip and the antenna are eliminated. The antenna itself provides a convenient heat sink. This arrangement is particularly attractive at UHF frequencies.
62 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An integrated active antenna structure, comprising:
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an antenna which operates at an RF operating frequency, said antenna having walls defining a cavity, an opening leading to said cavity, and an interior mounting surface within said cavity;
a semiconductor integrated circuit chip which is physically mounted on the interior mounting surface of said antenna, and which is connected to apply an RF drive signal to said antenna, the dimensions of said chip being small enough to permit installation thereof within said cavity by passing said chip through said opening;
material encapsulating said chip within said cavity; and
leads insulated from said antenna and electrically connected to said chip within said cavity, said leads extending outside said cavity through said opening to provide external electrical connection to said chip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An integrated active antenna structure, comprising:
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a metallic antenna which operates at an RF operating frequency, said antenna having walls defining a cavity, an opening leading to said cavity, and an interior mounting surface within said cavity;
a semiconductor integrated circuit chip which has a back surface physically mounted on and electrically connected to the interior mounting surface of said antenna, said chip being connected to apply an RF drive signal to said antenna through said back surface connection;
material encapsulating said chip within said cavity; and
leads insulated from said antenna and electrically connected to said chip within said cavity, said leads extending outside said cavity through said opening to provide external electrical connection to said chip. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An integrated active antenna structure, comprising:
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an elongated antenna which operates at an RF operating frequency, said antenna having walls defining a cavity, an opening leading to said cavity, and an interior mounting surface within said cavity, said opening being disposed at a longitudinal end of said antenna;
a semiconductor integrated circuit chip which is physically mounted on the interior mounting surface of said antenna inside said cavity, and which is connected to apply an RF drive signal to said antenna;
a body of epoxy material disposed in said opening and filling said cavity to entirely encapsulate said chip within said cavity; and
leads insulated from said antenna and electrically connected to said chip within said cavity, said leads extending through said opening outside said body of epoxy material to provide external electrical connection to said chip. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification