Chip-on-Board

Chip-on-board (COB) is an advanced technology in electronics that enables the direct mounting of packaged semiconductor chips onto a printed circuit board. This method offers numerous advantages in terms of performance, efficiency and design flexibility, making it a preferred choice in many modern electronics applications.

Technology and process

In the COB process, bare semiconductor chips are mounted directly onto the PCB and then covered with a protective layer, often an epoxy resin. This technology differs significantly from traditional approaches, in which chips are first placed in housings. By dispensing with the housing, COB systems can be made more compact and lighter.

The chips are mounted directly onto the PCB using an adhesive or soldering process, followed by wire bonding to make electrical connections. Finally, the entire assembly is sealed to protect it from mechanical damage and environmental influences.

Advantages of COB

Chip-on-board technology offers numerous advantages:

Space saving: by mounting the chips directly, the space required on the PCB is minimized, allowing for more compact and lighter designs.
Improved performance: As the electrical connections are shorter, COB reduces parasitic effects, resulting in better electrical performance and higher reliability.
Cost efficiency: The reduction of packaging materials and manufacturing steps leads to lower production costs.
Thermal management: COB offers better thermal properties as heat is dissipated directly from the chips to the PCB.

Applications

COB technology is used in a wide range of applications, including

LED lighting: COB LEDs offer high luminosity and efficiency in a compact format.
Sensors: In sensor technology, COB enables the production of small and powerful sensors for various applications.
Medical technology: COB is used in medical devices where compact and reliable electronic components are crucial.
Consumer electronics: Smartphones, tablets and other portable devices benefit from the space and performance improvements offered by COB.

Conclusion

Chip-on-board (COB) is an innovative assembly technology that offers significant advantages for modern electronic devices. By mounting package-less chips directly onto printed circuit boards, COB enables more compact designs, improved performance and greater cost efficiency. This technology is particularly important in areas such as LED lighting, sensor technology, medical technology and consumer electronics.