A semiconductor device includes a MOSFET including a PN junction diode. A unipolar device is connected in parallel to the MOSFET and has two terminals. A first wire connects the PN junction diode to one of the two terminals of the unipolar device. A second wire connects the one of the two terminals of the unipolar device to an output line, so that the output line is connected to the MOSFET and the unipolar device via the first wire and the second wire. In one embodiment the connection of the first wire to the diode is with its anode, and in another the connection is with the cathode.

A semiconductor device includes a MOSFET including a PN junction diode. A unipolar device is connected in parallel to the MOSFET and has two terminals. A first wire connects the PN junction diode to one of the two terminals of the unipolar device. A second wire connects the one of the two terminals of the unipolar device to an output line, so that the output line is connected to the MOSFET and the unipolar device via the first wire and the second wire. In one embodiment the connection of the first wire to the diode is with its anode, and in another the connection is with the cathode.

Reliability of a semiconductor module is improved. In a resin mold step of assembly of a semiconductor module, an IGBT chip, a diode chip, a control chip, a part of each of chip mounting portions are resin molded so that a back surface of each of the chip mounting portions is exposed from a back surface of a sealing body. After the resin molding, an insulating layer is bonded to the back surface of the sealing body so as to cover each back surface (exposed portion) of the chip mounting portions, and then, a TIM layer is bonded to an insulating layer. Here, a region of the TIM layer in a plan view is included in a region of the insulating layer.

Reliability of a semiconductor module is improved. In a resin mold step of assembly of a semiconductor module, an IGBT chip, a diode chip, a control chip, a part of each of chip mounting portions are resin molded so that a back surface of each of the chip mounting portions is exposed from a back surface of a sealing body. After the resin molding, an insulating layer is bonded to the back surface of the sealing body so as to cover each back surface (exposed portion) of the chip mounting portions, and then, a TIM layer is bonded to an insulating layer. Here, a region of the TIM layer in a plan view is included in a region of the insulating layer.

Packaged semiconductor devices and methods of packaging semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a packaged semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit die, a molding compound disposed around the integrated circuit die, and an interconnect structure disposed over the integrated circuit die and the molding compound. The molding compound is thicker than the integrated circuit die.

A semiconductor chip includes a substrate including a circuit area having a rectangular shape and a peripheral area surrounding the circuit area, a key area being overlapping a part of the circuit area and a part of the peripheral area, a plurality of drive circuit cells in the circuit area, and a conductive reference line on the peripheral area and extending in a first direction parallel to a first edge among four edges of the rectangular shape of the circuit area.

A packaged semiconductor device includes a substrate including a die pad and a drain terminal extending from the die pad in one direction in a plan view, a gate terminal and a source terminal extending in the one direction on both sides of the drain terminal. A semiconductor chip has a rectangular shape and is disposed on the die pad such that short sides are parallel to the drain terminal and a center of gravity is closer to the source terminal than the gate terminal. A gate pad is disposed on the gate terminal side on an upper surface of the semiconductor chip. A plurality of source pads is arrayed from the source terminal side toward the gate terminal side on the upper surface of the semiconductor chip. A gate wire connects the gate pad to the gate terminal, and a plurality of source wires connects the plurality of source pads to the source terminal.

An intelligent power module (IPM) has a first, second, third and fourth die supporting elements, a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth transistors, a connection member, a low voltage IC, a high voltage IC, a plurality of leads and a molding encapsulation. The first transistor is attached to the first die supporting element. The second transistor is attached to the second die supporting element. The third transistor is attached to the third die supporting element. The fourth, fifth and sixth transistor s are attached to the fourth die supporting element. The low and high voltage ICs are attached to the connection member. The molding encapsulation encloses the first, second, third and fourth die supporting elements, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth transistors, the connection member and the low and high voltage ICs. The IPM has a reduced thermal resistance of junction-to-case (R.sub.thJC) compared to a conventional IPM.

An intelligent power module (IPM) has a first, second, third and fourth die supporting elements, a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth transistors, a connection member, a low voltage IC, a high voltage IC, a plurality of leads and a molding encapsulation. The first transistor is attached to the first die supporting element. The second transistor is attached to the second die supporting element. The third transistor is attached to the third die supporting element. The fourth, fifth and sixth transistor s are attached to the fourth die supporting element. The low and high voltage ICs are attached to the connection member. The molding encapsulation encloses the first, second, third and fourth die supporting elements, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth transistors, the connection member and the low and high voltage ICs. The IPM has a reduced thermal resistance of junction-to-case (R.sub.thJC) compared to a conventional IPM.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, a conductive layer, terminals, and a sealing resin. The conductive layer, containing metal particles, is in contact with the reverse surface and the side surface of the semiconductor element. The terminals are spaced apart from and electrically connected to the semiconductor element. The sealing resin covers the semiconductor element. The conductive layer has an edge located outside of the semiconductor element as viewed in plan. Each terminal includes a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner side surface held in contact with the sealing resin, and the terminal is formed with a dent portion recessed from the bottom surface and the inner side surface. The conductive layer and the bottom surface of each terminal are exposed from a bottom surface of the sealing resin.