A semiconductor package includes a pad and leads, the pad and leads including a base metal predominantly including copper, a first plated metal layer predominantly including nickel in contact with the base metal, and a second plated metal layer predominantly including silver in contact with the first plated metal layer. The first plated metal layer has a first plated metal layer thickness of 0.1 to 5 microns, and the second plated metal layer has a second plated metal layer thickness of 0.2 to 5 microns. The semiconductor package further includes an adhesion promotion coating predominantly including silver oxide in contact with the second plated metal layer opposite the first plated metal layer, a semiconductor die mounted on the pad, a wire bond extending between the semiconductor die and a lead of the leads, and a mold compound covering the semiconductor die and the wire bond.

One aspect of this disclosure is a power amplifier system that includes a control interface, a power amplifier, a passive component on a same die as the power amplifier, and a bias circuit on a different die than the power amplifier. The control interface can operate as a serial interface or as a general purpose input/output interface. The power amplifier can be controllable based at least partly on an output signal from the control interface. The bias circuit can generate a bias signal based at least partly on an indication of the electrical property of the passive component. Other embodiments of the system are provided along with related methods and components thereof.

In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor chip has first and second pads, a passivation film formed such that respective parts of the first and second pads are exposed, a first surface-metal-layer provided on the part of the first pad and a part of the passivation film, and a second surface-metal-layer provided on the part of the second pad and another part of the passivation film. Respective wires are electrically connected to the first and second surface-metal-layers. The semiconductor chip and the respective wires are then sealed with a resin.

In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor chip has first and second pads, a passivation film formed such that respective parts of the first and second pads are exposed, a first surface-metal-layer provided on the part of the first pad and a part of the passivation film, and a second surface-metal-layer provided on the part of the second pad and another part of the passivation film. Respective wires are electrically connected to the first and second surface-metal-layers. The semiconductor chip and the respective wires are then sealed with a resin.

One aspect of this disclosure is a power amplifier module that includes a power amplifier on a substrate and a semiconductor resistor on the substrate. The power amplifier includes a bipolar transistor having a collector, a base, and an emitter. The collector has a doping concentration of at least 310.sup.16 cm.sup.3 at an interface with the base. The collector also has at least a first grading in which doping concentration increases away from the base. The semiconductor resistor includes a resistive layer that that includes the same material as a layer of the bipolar transistor. Other embodiments of the module are provided along with related methods and components thereof.

Package-On-Package (PoP) structures that includes stud bulbs is provided. According to an embodiment, a POP structure includes a first substrate, stud bulbs, a die, a second substrate, and electrical connectors. The stud bulbs are coupled to a first surface of the first substrate. The die is attached to the first surface of the first substrate. The electrical connectors are coupled to the second substrate, and respective ones of the electrical connectors are coupled to respective ones of the stud bulbs.

Package-On-Package (PoP) structures that includes stud bulbs is provided. According to an embodiment, a POP structure includes a first substrate, stud bulbs, a die, a second substrate, and electrical connectors. The stud bulbs are coupled to a first surface of the first substrate. The die is attached to the first surface of the first substrate. The electrical connectors are coupled to the second substrate, and respective ones of the electrical connectors are coupled to respective ones of the stud bulbs.

A semiconductor package includes a pad and leads, the pad and leads including a base metal predominantly including copper, a first plated metal layer predominantly including nickel in contact with the base metal, and a second plated metal layer predominantly including silver in contact with the first plated metal layer. The first plated metal layer has a first plated metal layer thickness of 0.1 to 5 microns, and the second plated metal layer has a second plated metal layer thickness of 0.2 to 5 microns. The semiconductor package further includes an adhesion promotion coating predominantly including silver oxide in contact with the second plated metal layer opposite the first plated metal layer, a semiconductor die mounted on the pad, a wire bond extending between the semiconductor die and a lead of the leads, and a mold compound covering the semiconductor die and the wire bond.

One aspect of this disclosure is a power amplifier module that includes a power amplifier on a substrate and a semiconductor resistor on the substrate. The power amplifier includes a bipolar transistor having a collector, a base, and an emitter. The collector has a doping concentration of at least 310.sup.16 cm.sup.3 at an interface with the base. The collector also has at least a first grading in which doping concentration increases away from the base. The semiconductor resistor includes a resistive layer that that includes the same material as a layer of the bipolar transistor. Other embodiments of the module are provided along with related methods and components thereof.

A power semiconductor chip having: a semiconductor component body; a multilayer metallization arranged on the semiconductor component body; and a nickel layer arranged over the semiconductor component body. The invention further relates to a method for producing a power semiconductor chip and to a power semiconductor device. The invention provides a power semiconductor chip which has a metallization to which a copper wire, provided without a thick metallic coating, can be reliably bonded without damage to the power semiconductor chip during bonding.