Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor memory device formed on a semiconductor substrate with an N-well and a P-well comprises the following steps. Form over a substrate the combination of a gate oxide layer and a gate layer patterned into gate stacks with sidewalls for an NMOS FET device over a P-well in the substrate and a PMOS FET device over an N-well. Form P− lightly doped S/D regions in the N-well and N− lightly doped S/D regions in the P-well. Form spacers on the sidewalls of the gate stacks. Thereafter form deep N− lightly doped S/D regions in the P-well, and form deep P− lightly doped S/D regions in the N-well. Form heavily doped P++ regions self-aligned with the gate below future P+ S/D sites to be formed self-aligned with the spacers in the N-well, and form heavily doped N++ regions self-aligned with the gate below future N+ S/D sites to be formed self-aligned with the spacers in the P-well.

Abstract: An MOS integrated circuit, such as an input-output buffer, exhibits improved resistance to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) by balancing the ESD current flow through active and inactive sections of drivers. Better balance of the ESD current flow is achieved by increasing the width and length of nulti-finger channels of semiconductor material defining the gates of the drivers in the active section. Wider, longer gates of the drivers in the active section increase their ability to carry current, thereby resulting in a more symmetrical distribution of ESD current between the active and inactive sections without degrading the IC's normal performance.

Abstract: An MOS integrated circuit, such as an input-output buffer, exhibits improved resistance to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) by balancing the ESD current flow through active and inactive sections of drivers. Better balance of the ESD current flow is achieved by increasing the width and length of multi-finger channels of semiconductor material defining the gates of the drivers in the active section. Wider, longer gates of the drivers in the active section increase their ability to carry current, thereby resulting in a more symmetrical distribution of ESD current between the active and inactive sections without degrading the IC's normal performance.

Abstract: A voltage clamping circuit that protects integrated circuits having multiple separate power supply voltage terminals from damage when an ESD event causes excessive differential voltages between the multiple separate power supply voltage terminals. The voltage clamping circuit has two subgroups of Darlington connected clamping transistors. The first subgroup of Darlington connected clamping transistors is connected between the first power supply voltage terminal and the second power supply voltage terminal. If the differential voltage exceeds the first clamping voltage level, the first subgroup of Darlington connected clamping transistors turn on and restore the first differential voltage to a level less than the first clamping voltage level. The second subgroup of Darlington connected clamping transistors connected between the second power supply terminal and the first power supply terminal.