QFN pin routing thru lead frame etching

Abstract

A multi-level leadframe including three bonding levels and one exposed level. Each of the three bonding levels and the one exposed level is positioned in a different horizontal plane, with each bonding level providing a bonding site vertically positioned relative to the horizontal plane of the exposed level, with each bonding site coupled to a package lead at the exposed level. Bonding sites located at first and second bonding levels can be located in a common, outer row, along a common, vertical plane, and bonding sites located at a third bonding level can be located in a separate, inner row, along a separate vertical plane. A third level bonding site can be coupled to a first level bonding site with a multiple level electrical lead conductor that vertically spans a second bonding level. A two-step etch process from a single sheet conductor is provided to manufacture the multi-level leadframe.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.