PACKAGING TECHNIQUES

1-19 Q23. How do the two types of monolithic IC construction differ? Q24. What is isolation? Q25. What methods are used to deposit thin-film components on a substrate? Q26. How are thick-film components produced? Q27. What is a hybrid IC? Q28. What is the primary advantage of hybrid circuits? PACKAGING TECHNIQUES Once the IC has been produced, it requires a housing that will protect it from damage. This damage could result from moisture, dirt, heat, radiation, or other sources. The housing protects the device and aids in its handling and connection into the system in which the IC is used. The three most common types of packages are the modified TRANSISTOR-OUTLINE (TO) PACKAGE, the FLAT PACK, and the DUAL INLINE PACKAGE (DIP). Transitor-Outline Package Transistor-Outline Package. The transistor-outline (TO) package was developed from early experience with transistors. It was a reliable package that only required increasing the number of leads to make it useful for ICs. Leads normally number between 2 and 12, with 10 being the most common for IC applications. Figure 1-19 is an exploded view of a TO-5 package. Once the IC has been attached to the header, bonding wires are used to attach the IC to the leads. The cover provides the necessary protection for the device. Figure 1-20 is an enlarged photo of an actual TO-5 with the cover removed. You can easily see that the handling of an IC without packaging would be difficult for a technician.