Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) with electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection includes functional circuitry for performing processing functions required by the IC, and interface circuitry for providing an interface between the functional circuitry and components external to the IC. The IC is formed of a plurality of layers, including component level layers, power grid layers, and intervening layers between the power grid layers and the component level layers providing interconnections between the functional components. The functional circuitry further includes at least one ESD protection circuit constructed so as to reside solely within the component level layers in order to provide ESD protection for an associated one or more of the functional components. Such an approach enables the required ESD protection to be provided locally within the functional circuitry, whilst retaining flexibility with regard to the placement of, and routing between, the various functional components of the functional circuitry.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and a method of providing such ESD protection within the integrated circuit, are disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises functional circuitry having functional components for performing processing functions required by the integrated circuit, and interface circuitry for providing an interface between the functional circuitry and components external to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is formed of a plurality of layers, including component level layers within which any of the functional components formed from a standard cell are constructed, power grid layers providing a power distribution infrastructure for the functional components, and intervening layers between the power grid layers and the component level layers providing interconnections between the functional components.