Abstract: A first embodiment of an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) structure for an integrated circuit for protecting the integrated circuit from an ESD signal, has a substrate of a first conductivity type. The substrate has a top surface. A first region of a second conductivity type is near the top surface and receives the ESD signal. A second region of the second conductivity type is in the substrate, separated and spaced apart from the first region in a substantially vertical direction. A third region of the first conductivity type, heavier in concentration than the substrate, is immediately adjacent to and in contact with the second region, substantially beneath the second region. In a second embodiment, a well of a second conductivity type is provided in the substrate of the first conductivity type. The well has a top surface. A first region of the second conductivity type is near the top surface. A second region of the second conductivity type is in the well, substantially along the bottom of the well.

Abstract: A field oxide device (FOD) useful for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and other applications. The FOD is characterized as being capable of achieving a relatively low breakdown voltage and capable of handling relatively high currents during an ESD event. In general, the FOD includes a zener junction to promote an earlier breakdown of the device. The zener junction also provides a planar-like breakdown region which makes it capable of handling relatively high currents. In particular, the FOD includes a p-doped substrate having a drain-side n+ diffusion region and a source-side n+ diffusion region which are separated by a field oxide. The FOD further includes a p+ doped region that interfaces with the drain-side n+ diffusion region to form a zener junction. The breakdown voltage of the FOD can be easily set by controlling the doping concentration and energy of the p+ doped region.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a triple self-aligned non-volatile memory device is disclosed. The method includes forming isolation oxide on a substrate. A plurality of floating gates are formed by depositing and self-aligning a first polysilicon layer to the isolation oxide. A common source area is then defined on the substrate between the floating gates. A second polysilicon layer is deposited over the common source area and self-aligned with respect to the isolation oxide. A third polysilicon layer is deposited adjacent to the plurality of floating gates. A plurality of select gates are then formed by self-aligning the third polysilicon layer to the isolation oxide. Furthermore, at least one drain area is defined on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a triple self-aligned non-volatile memory device is disclosed. The method includes forming isolation oxide on a substrate. A plurality of floating gates are formed by depositing and self-aligning a first polysilicon layer to the isolation oxide. A common source area is then defined on the substrate between the floating gates. A second polysilicon layer is deposited over the common source area and self-aligned with respect to the isolation oxide. A third polysilicon layer is deposited adjacent to the plurality of floating gates. A plurality of select gates are then formed by self-aligning the third polysilicon layer to the isolation oxide. Furthermore, at least one drain area is defined on the substrate.

Abstract: A silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) serving as an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device having a vertical zener junction for triggering breakdown. The SCR includes a p-doped substrate having an n-doped well, spaced-apart p+ and n+ doped regions for cathode connection formed within the n-doped well, and spaced-apart p+ and n+ doped regions for anode connection formed with the p-substrate external to the n-doped well. The SCR further includes a vertical zener junction situated between the anode n+ doped region and the n-well. The vertical zener junction has a p+ doped region sandwiched between two n+ doped regions. The n+ doped region of the vertical zener junction closest to the n-well may extend at least partially within the n-well, or be totally outside of the n-well.

Abstract: A field oxide device (FOD) useful for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and other applications. The FOD is characterized as being capable of achieving a relatively low breakdown voltage and capable of handling relatively high currents during an ESD event. In general, the FOD includes a zener junction to promote an earlier breakdown of the device. The zener junction also provides a planar-like breakdown region which makes it capable of handling relatively high currents. In particular, the FOD includes a p-doped substrate having a drain-side n+ diffusion region and a source-side n+ diffusion region which are separated by a field oxide. The FOD further includes a p+ doped region that interfaces with the drain-side n+ diffusion region to form a zener junction. The breakdown voltage of the FOD can be easily set by controlling the doping concentration and energy of the p+ doped region.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a triple self-aligned non-volatile memory device is disclosed. The method includes forming isolation oxide on a substrate. A plurality of floating gates are formed by depositing and self-aligning a first polysilicon layer to the isolation oxide. A common source area is then defined on the substrate between the floating gates. A second polysilicon layer is deposited over the common source area and self-aligned with respect to the isolation oxide. A third polysilicon layer is deposited adjacent to the plurality of floating gates. A plurality of select gates are then formed by self-aligning the third polysilicon layer to the isolation oxide. Furthermore, at least one drain area is defined on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a flash memory device including an array of split gate cells, comprising the steps of: providing a silicon substrate having a top surface; implanting ions into a predefined area of the substrate to form a common source region of the substrate; forming at least one floating gate over the substrate, each floating gate being associated with one of the cells and having a portion which overlies a portion of the common source region, the overlying portion of each floating gate providing for a high coupling ratio for the associated flash cell; forming a select gate over at least a portion of each floating gate; and forming a drain region associated with each cell. The high coupling ratio flash cell device of the present invention overcomes limitations associated with conventionally formed split gate flash cells by forming the common source region first and then forming the floating gates over the common source region in order to provide a high coupling ratio for the cells.

Abstract: An analog recording and playback system using non-volatile flash memory. An array of flash memory cells is used to store an analog signal and retrieve the stored analog signal on a real-time basis. A plurality of column driver circuits are coupled to the columns of flash memory cells for simultaneous programming and reading. A programming algorithm is used to write the analog signal within an operating range of the flash memory cells since the operating range may shift due to process variations. The system includes trimbit circuits to provide a trimmable initial programming voltage, programming step, programming current, read current, and select gate voltage. The system further includes a Serial Peripheral Interface ("SPI") that interfaces with a host microcontroller. The host microcontroller can send a number of commands to the system through the SPI for efficient message management. These commands include the basic commands to record or playback and various addressing and message cueing options.