Abstract: Embodiments of a semiconductor device include a base substrate including an upper surface, a nucleation layer disposed over the upper surface of the base substrate, a first semiconductor layer disposed over the nucleation layer, a second semiconductor layer disposed over the first semiconductor layer, a channel within the second semiconductor layer and proximate to an upper surface of the second semiconductor layer, and an enhanced resistivity region with an upper boundary proximate to an upper surface of the first semiconductor layer. The enhanced resistivity region has an upper boundary located a distance below the channel. Embodiments of a method of fabricating the semiconductor device include implanting one or more ion species through the first semiconductor layer to form the enhanced resistivity region.

Abstract: Embodiments of a semiconductor device include a base substrate including an upper surface, a nucleation layer disposed over the upper surface of the base substrate, a first semiconductor layer disposed over the nucleation layer, a second semiconductor layer disposed over the first semiconductor layer, a channel within the second semiconductor layer and proximate to an upper surface of the second semiconductor layer, and an enhanced resistivity region with an upper boundary proximate to an upper surface of the first semiconductor layer. The enhanced resistivity region has an upper boundary located a distance below the channel. Embodiments of a method of fabricating the semiconductor device include implanting one or more ion species through the first semiconductor layer to form the enhanced resistivity region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for ESD protection of integrated passive devices (IPDs). The apparatus comprises one or more IPDs having terminals or other elements potentially exposed to ESD transients coupled by charge leakage resistances having resistance values much larger than the ordinary impedance of the IPDs at the operating frequency of interest. When the IPD is built on a semi-insulating substrate, various elements of the IPD are coupled to the substrate by spaced-apart connections so that the substrate itself provides the high value resistances coupling the elements, but this is not essential. When applied to an IPD RF coupler, the ESD tolerance increased by over 70%. The invented arrangement can also be applied to active devices and integrated circuits and to IPDs with conductive or insulating substrates.

Abstract: A support system including a cushion or pad having a foam core and cover is disclosed. The support system is capable of taking a variety of different shapes and can be adjusted for firmness. The support system may be used during and after surgery and more generally, any time when it is desirable to utilize a sterilizable, adjustable cushion. Additionally, multiple cushions may be used in a variety of combinations at any one time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for ESD protection of integrated passive devices (IPDs). The apparatus comprises one or more IPDs having terminals or other elements potentially exposed to ESD transients coupled by charge leakage resistances having resistance values much larger than the ordinary impedance of the IPDs at the operating frequency of interest. When the IPD is built on a semi-insulating substrate, various elements of the IPD are coupled to the substrate by spaced-apart connections so that the substrate itself provides the high value resistances coupling the elements, but this is not essential. When applied to an IPD RF coupler, the ESD tolerance increased by over 70%. The invented arrangement can also be applied to active devices and integrated circuits and to IPDs with conductive or insulating substrates.

Abstract: A signal along a voltage reference bus of an RF device is rectified to provide an indication of the amplitudes of the RF voltage swings that are the result of rapidly varying RF currents. The indication is proportional to the peak RF currents through the RF device and is proportional to the output power under matched load conditions.

Abstract: A semiconductor component includes: a semiconductor substrate (110); an epitaxial semiconductor layer (120) above the semiconductor substrate; a bipolar transistor (770, 870) in the epitaxial semiconductor layer; and a field effect transistor (780, 880) in the epitaxial semiconductor layer. A portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer forms a base of the bipolar transistor and a gate of the field effect transistor, and the portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer has a substantially uniform doping concentration. In the same or another embodiment, a different portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer forms an emitter of the bipolar transistor and a channel of the field effect transistor, and the different portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer has a substantially uniform doping concentration that can be the same as or different from the substantially uniform doping concentration of the portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor component includes: a semiconductor substrate (110); an epitaxial semiconductor layer (120) above the semiconductor substrate; a bipolar transistor (770, 870) in the epitaxial semiconductor layer; and a field effect transistor (780, 880) in the epitaxial semiconductor layer. A portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer forms a base of the bipolar transistor and a gate of the field effect transistor, and the portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer has a substantially uniform doping concentration. In the same or another embodiment, a different portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer forms an emitter of the bipolar transistor and a channel of the field effect transistor, and the different portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer has a substantially uniform doping concentration that can be the same as or different from the substantially uniform doping concentration of the portion of the epitaxial semiconductor layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the onset of avalanche breakdown in a radio frequency bipolar power transistor is provided. The radio frequency bipolar power transistor includes a first transistor cell and a second transistor cells. The first and second transistor cells are functioning cells of the radio frequency bipolar transistor. The first transistor has a base ballast resistor. The second transistor cell has an emitter ballast resistor. The operation of the first and second transistor cells are monitored and compared against one another. A first difference voltage is generated from the first and second transistor cells under normal operating conditions. A second difference voltage is generated from the first and second transistor cells at the onset of avalanche breakdown.

Abstract: A signal along a voltage reference bus of an RF device is rectified to provide an indication of the amplitudes of the RF voltage swings that are the result of rapidly varying RF currents. The indication is proportional to the peak RF currents through the RF device and is proportional to the output power under matched load conditions.

Abstract: A monolithic RF amplifier (20,30,40,50,60,70) senses the instantaneous voltage on the amplifier output (28) and utilizes active devices (22,33,41,42,51,61,71) to protect an output stage (21,31) of the amplifier from excessive voltages applied to the amplifier output (28).

Abstract: A monolithic RF amplifier (20,30,40,50,60,70) senses the instantaneous voltage on the amplifier output (28) and utilizes active devices (22,33,41,42,51,61,71) to protect an output stage (21,31) of the amplifier from excessive voltages applied to the amplifier output (28).

Abstract: This is a method of fabricating a bipolar transistor on a wafer. The method can comprise: forming a doped emitter contact layer 31 on a substrate 30; forming a doped emitter layer 32 on top of the emitter contact layer, the emitter layer doped same conductivity type as the emitter contact layer; forming a doped base epilayer 34 on top of the emitter layer, the base epilayer doped conductivity type opposite of the emitter layer; forming a doped collector epilayer 36, the collector epilayer doped conductivity type opposite of the base layer to form the bipolar transistor; forming an collector contact 38 on top of the collector layer; forming a base contact 40 on top of the base layer; forming a emitter contact 44 on top of the emitter contact layer; and selective etching the emitter layer to produce an undercut 45 beneath the base layer.

Abstract: This is a method of fabricating a bipolar transistor on a wafer. The method can comprise: forming a doped emitter contact layer 31 on a substrate 30; forming a doped emitter layer 32 on top of the emitter contact layer, the emitter layer doped same conductivity type as the emitter contact layer; forming a doped base epilayer 34 on top of the emitter layer, the base epilayer doped conductivity type opposite of the emitter layer; forming a doped collector epilayer 36, the collector epilayer doped conductivity type opposite of the base layer to form the bipolar transistor; forming an collector contact 38 on top of the collector layer; forming a base contact 40 on top of the base layer; forming a emitter contact 44 on top of the emitter contact layer; and selective etching the emitter layer to produce an undercut 45 beneath the base layer.

Abstract: This is a method of fabricating a bipolar transistor on a wafer. The method can comprise: forming a doped emitter contact layer 31 on a substrate 30; forming a doped emitter layer 32 on top of the emitter contact layer, the emitter layer doped same conductivity type as the emitter contact layer; forming a doped base epilayer 34 on top of the emitter layer, the base epilayer doped conductivity type opposite of the emitter layer; forming a doped collector epilayer 36, the collector epilayer doped conductivity type opposite of the base layer to form the bipolar transistor; forming an collector contact 38 on top of the collector layer; forming a base contact 40 on top of the base layer; forming a emitter contact 44 on top of the emitter contact layer; and selective etching the emitter layer to produce an undercut 45 beneath the base layer.

Abstract: Generally, and in one form of the invention, an integrated circuit comprising a bipolar transistor and a field effect transistor, wherein a channel of the field effect transistor and a base of the bipolar transistor are formed from a base epitaxial layer 16, and whereby field effect and bipolar transistors are formed within a common material structure is disclosed. In another form of the invention, an integrated circuit comprising a substrate 10, an epitaxial subcollector layer 12, an epitaxial collector layer 14, an epitaxial base layer 16, an epitaxial emitter layer 18, a bipolar transistor formed with an emitter electrical contact 20, 28, 35 to the emitter layer 18, a base contact 34 to the base layer 16, and a collector contact 42 to the subcollector layer 12, and a field effect transistor formed with a first gate contact 20, 30, 39 to the emitter layer 18, a first source contact 36 to the base layer 16, and a first drain contact 37 to the base layer 16, is disclosed.

Abstract: This is method for forming epitaxial structures on a substrate which comprises: forming a first epi layer on the substrate; removing one or more substantial portions of the first epi layer; forming a second epi layer over the first epi layer and adjacent said first epi layer; forming a masking layer over portions of the second epi layer which are not over the first epi layer; and substantially removing a portion of the second epi layer which is over the first epi layer to provide a substantially planar structure having different properties. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Generally, and in one form of the invention a method is disclosed for forming a subcollector for bipolar transistors comprising the steps of epitaxially depositing a subcollector layer 22 on a substrate 20, the subcollector containing a co-deposited dopant; etching the subcollector layer to define an active device region; depositing a collector layer 24 above the subcollector layer; depositing a base layer 25 above the collector layer 24; and depositing an emitter layer 27 above the base layer 25, whereby the subcollector layer does not extend beyond the active device region and is of low resistance.