Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a four-layer semiconductor device, such as a silicon-controlled rectifier. Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to an electrostatic discharge (ESD), protection circuit including the same. In the four-layer semiconductor device in accordance with the present disclosure, an electrical insulation is provided that extends at least partially inside the epitaxial layer and that prevents a current from flowing between the first device terminal and the second device terminal that does not at least partially flow through the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD), protection device is provided. In accordance with the present disclosure, an ESD protection device is provided that includes a series connection of a first unit having strong snapback and low series capacitance and a second high-voltage unit that displays a relatively high holding/trigger voltage to ensure latch up and improper triggering of the ESD protection device while at the same time providing high-voltage operation with low capacitive loading.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a fabricator produces an electronic device to include: a substrate; a transistor circuit disposed on the substrate; silicide material disposed on first regions of the transistor circuit; and the silicide material absent from second regions of the transistor circuit. Absence of the silicide material over the second regions of the respective of the transistor circuit increases a resistance of one or more parasitic paths (such as one or more parasitic transistors) in the transistor circuit. The increased resistance in the one or more parasitic paths provides better protection of the transistor circuit against electro-static discharge conditions.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a fabricator produces an electronic device to include: a substrate; a transistor circuit disposed on the substrate; silicide material disposed on first regions of the transistor circuit; and the silicide material absent from second regions of the transistor circuit. Absence of the silicide material over the second regions of the respective of the transistor circuit increases a resistance of one or more parasitic paths (such as one or more parasitic transistors) in the transistor circuit. The increased resistance in the one or more parasitic paths provides better protection of the transistor circuit against electro-static discharge conditions.

Abstract: A two-stage protection device for an electronic component protects against transient disturbances. The electronic component may be a semiconductor component, and may include one or multiple transistors and/or an integrated circuit. The protection device is connected to at least a first contact and a second contact of the electronic component, and is disposed essentially in parallel to the component that is to be protected, between the first contact and the second contact. The protection device includes a first stage with at least one diode and a second stage separated from the first stage by a resistor. The second stage includes at least one diode arrangement having two back-to-back disposed diodes which are disposed cathode-to-cathode.

Abstract: A two-stage protection device for an electronic component protects against transient disturbances. The electronic component may be a semiconductor component, and may include one or multiple transistors and/or an integrated circuit. The protection device is connected to at least a first contact and a second contact of the electronic component, and is disposed essentially in parallel to the component that is to be protected, between the first contact and the second contact. The protection device includes a first stage with at least one diode and a second stage separated from the first stage by a resistor. The second stage includes at least one diode arrangement having two back-to-back disposed diodes which are disposed cathode-to-cathode.

Abstract: A description is given of a circuit arrangement including at least one electronic component having first and second terminals, and comprising an ESD protection arrangement against disturbance pulses, is the ESD protection arrangement connected via connection terminals in parallel with the electronic component between the first and second terminals. The ESD protection arrangement includes a first ESD protection unit and a second ESD protection unit, that is connected in parallel with the first ESD protection unit and that reacts more rapidly than the first protection unit to a voltage rise at the connection terminals with the formation of a conductive current path between the connection terminals.

Abstract: A description is given of a circuit arrangement including at least one electronic component having first and second terminals, and comprising an ESD protection arrangement against disturbance pulses, is the ESD protection arrangement connected via connection terminals in parallel with the electronic component between the first and second terminals. The ESD protection arrangement includes a first ESD protection unit and a second ESD protection unit, that is connected in parallel with the first ESD protection unit and that reacts more rapidly than the first protection unit to a voltage rise at the connection terminals with the formation of a conductive current path between the connection terminals.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit in a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) having protected circuitry is provided herein. In one embodiment, a circuit for protecting an integrated circuit from ESD includes a protected circuit node in the integrated circuit, a multiple stage transistor pump circuit coupled to the protected circuit node, and an electrostatic discharge protection circuit having a trigger coupled to the multiple stage transistor pump circuit. The multiple stage transistor pump circuit may comprise a Darlington transistor pump circuit.

Abstract: An electronic device having an LV-well element trigger structure that reduces the effective snapback trigger voltage in MOS drivers or ESD protection devices. A reduced triggering voltage facilitates multi-finger turn-on and thus uniform current flow and/or helps to avoid competitive triggering issues.

Abstract: A two-dimensional silicon controlled rectifier (2DSCR) having the anode and cathode forming a checkerboard pattern. Such a pattern maximizes the anode to cathode contact length (the active area) within a given SCR area, i.e., effectively increasing the SCR width. Increasing the physical SCR area, increases the current handling capabilities of the SCR.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing ESD event protection for a circuit using a source or bulk pump to increase the bulk and/or source potential level during an ESD event. The apparatus comprises a protection circuit that, in response to an ESD event, limits the voltage formed between two terminals of a transistor by adjusting a potential level on the second terminal.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit in a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) having protected circuitry. The ESD protection circuit includes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) having at least one first type high dopant region coupled to a first reference potential of the protected circuitry, and at least one second type high dopant region coupled to a second reference potential of the IC. The SCR is triggered by an external on-chip trigger device, which is adapted for injecting a trigger current into at least one gate of the SCR.