Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first power source (PS1) pad supplied with a PS1 voltage; a PS1 line connected to the PS1 pad; a first ground line (G1); an output circuit operated using the PS1 voltage; a second power source (PS2) pad supplied with a PS2 voltage; a PS2 line connected to the PS2 pad; a second ground line (G2); a signal line connected to an output end of the output circuit; an input circuit connected to the signal line at an input end receiving a signal from the output end and operated using the PS2 voltage; a main protection circuit unit providing discharge routes between the PS1 pad and G1, G1 and G2, and G2 and the PS2 pad; and a sub protection circuit unit. The output circuit includes: a circuit element arranged between the PS1 line and the signal line and able to function as a resistive element.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first power source (PS1) pad supplied with a PS1 voltage; a PS1 line connected to the PS1 pad; a first ground line (G1); an output circuit operated using the PS1 voltage; a second power source (PS2) pad supplied with a PS2 voltage; a PS2 line connected to the PS2 pad; a second ground line (G2); a signal line connected to an output end of the output circuit; an input circuit connected to the signal line at an input end receiving a signal from the output end and operated using the PS2 voltage; a main protection circuit unit providing discharge routes between the PS1 pad and G1, G1 and G2, and G2 and the PS2 pad; and a sub protection circuit unit. The output circuit includes: a circuit element arranged between the PS1 line and the signal line and able to function as a resistive element.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first power source (PS1) pad supplied with a PS1 voltage; a PS1 line connected to the PS1 pad; a first ground line (G1); an output circuit operated using the PS1 voltage; a second power source (PS2) pad supplied with a PS2 voltage; a PS2 line connected to the PS2 pad; a second ground line (G2); a signal line connected to an output end of the output circuit; an input circuit connected to the signal line at an input end receiving a signal from the output end and operated using the PS2 voltage; a main protection circuit unit providing discharge routes between the PS1 pad and G1, G1 and G2, and G2 and the PS2 pad; and a sub protection circuit unit. The output circuit includes: a circuit element arranged between the PS1 line and the signal line and able to function as a resistive element.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first power source (PS1) pad supplied with a PS1 voltage; a PS1 line connected to the PS1 pad; a first ground line (G1); an output circuit operated using the PS1 voltage; a second power source (PS2) pad supplied with a PS2 voltage; a PS2 line connected to the PS2 pad; a second ground line (G2); a signal line connected to an output end of the output circuit; an input circuit connected to the signal line at an input end receiving a signal from the output end and operated using the PS2 voltage; a main protection circuit unit providing discharge routes between the PS1 pad and G1, G1 and G2, and G2 and the PS2 pad; and a sub protection circuit unit. The output circuit includes: a circuit element arranged between the PS1 line and the signal line and able to function as a resistive element.

Abstract: A decrease in resistance against an abnormal current of a semiconductor device is suppressed. A first transistor is sandwiched between two second transistors (a first one and a second one of the second transistors) in a second direction. Both of a distance between a second source contact and a second drain contact that are coupled to the one second transistor, and a distance between a second source contact and a second drain contact that are coupled to the other second transistor are larger than a distance between a second source contact and a second drain contact that are coupled to a third one of the second transistors located farthest from the first transistor in the second direction.

Abstract: A decrease in resistance against an abnormal current of a semiconductor device is suppressed. A first transistor is sandwiched between two second transistors (a first one and a second one of the second transistors) in a second direction. Both of a distance between a second source contact and a second drain contact that are coupled to the one second transistor, and a distance between a second source contact and a second drain contact that are coupled to the other second transistor are larger than a distance between a second source contact and a second drain contact that are coupled to a third one of the second transistors located farthest from the first transistor in the second direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has: a power supply line; a ground line; a signal line for transmitting a signal; a signal pad connected to the signal line; a protection element connected between the signal line and the ground line; and a trigger circuit configured to supply a trigger current to the protection element. The trigger circuit has: a PMOS transistor whose gate and backgate are connected to the power supply line and whose source is connected to the protection element; and an amplifier circuit part configured to amplify a first current flowing through the PMOS transistor to generate a second current. The trigger current includes the second current.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has: a signal pad; a power supply line; a ground line; an inductor section whose one end is connected to the signal pad; a terminating resistor connected between the other end of the inductor section and the power supply line or the ground line. The semiconductor device further has: a first ESD protection element connected to a first node in the inductor section; and a second ESD protection element connected to a second node whose position is different from that of the first node in the inductor section.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of dissipating heat, which has been produced in an ESD protection element, to the exterior of the device rapidly and efficiently includes an ESD protection element having a drain region, a source region and a gate electrode, and a thermal diffusion portion. The thermal diffusion portion, which has been formed on the drain region, has a metal layer electrically connected to a pad, and contacts connecting the drain region and metal layer. The metal layer has a first wiring trace extending along the gate electrode, and second wiring traces intersecting the first wiring trace perpendicularly. The contacts are connected to intersections between the first wiring trace and the second wiring traces. Heat that has been produced at a pn-junction of the ESD protection element and transferred through a contact is diffused simultaneously in three directions through the first wiring trace and second wiring trace in the metal layer and is released into the pad.

Abstract: It is desired to effectively suppress breaking of a protection target circuit caused by direct application of an ESD surge voltage to the circuit. The semiconductor device includes: a VDD pad; a signal output pad; a GND pad; a high-potential power source line; a signal line; a low-potential power source line; main ESD protection elements; a PMOS transistor; and an output circuit. The output circuit includes: an NMOS transistor N1 whose source is connected to the signal line, and whose drain is connected to the low-potential power source line; and an NMOS transistor N2 connected between the gate of the NMOS transistor N1 and the low-potential power source line. The source of the PMOS transistor is connected to the signal line, the drain thereof is connected to the gate of the NMOS transistor N1, and the gate and back gate thereof are connected to the high-potential power source line.

Abstract: It is desired to effectively suppress breaking of a protection target circuit caused by direct application of an ESD surge voltage to the circuit. The semiconductor device includes: a VDD pad; a signal output pad; a GND pad; a high-potential power source line; a signal line; a low-potential power source line; main ESD protection elements; a PMOS transistor; and an output circuit. The output circuit includes: an NMOS transistor N1 whose source is connected to the signal line, and whose drain is connected to the low-potential power source line; and an NMOS transistor N2 connected between the gate of the NMOS transistor N1 and the low-potential power source line. The source of the PMOS transistor is connected to the signal line, the drain thereof is connected to the gate of the NMOS transistor N1, and the gate and back gate thereof are connected to the high-potential power source line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a signal input pad, a protection object circuit, a first connection node connected with the protection object circuit, a first resistance element connected between the signal input pad and the first connection node, a first protection circuit section arranged between a power supply line or a ground line and a second connection node between the signal input pad and the first resistance element, and a second protection circuit section. The second protection circuit section includes at least one of a first PMOS transistor having a source connected with the first connection node, a drain connected with the ground line and a gate and a back gate connected with the power supply line, and a first NMOS transistor having a source connected with said first connection node, a drain connected with the power supply line and a gate and a back gate connected with the ground line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has: a signal pad; a power supply line; a ground line; an inductor section whose one end is connected to the signal pad; a terminating resistor connected between the other end of the inductor section and the power supply line or the ground line. The semiconductor device further has: a first ESD protection element connected to a first node in the inductor section; and a second ESD protection element connected to a second node whose position is different from that of the first node in the inductor section.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has: a signal pad; a power supply line; a ground line; an inductor section whose one end is connected to the signal pad; a terminating resistor connected between the other end of the inductor section and the power supply line or the ground line. The semiconductor device further has: a first ESD protection element connected to a first node in the inductor section; and a second ESD protection element connected to a second node whose position is different from that of the first node in the inductor section.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a signal input pad, a protection object circuit, a first connection node connected with the protection object circuit, a first resistance element connected between the signal input pad and the first connection node, a first protection circuit section arranged between a power supply line or a ground line and a second connection node between the signal input pad and the first resistance element, and a second protection circuit section. The second protection circuit section includes at least one of a first PMOS transistor having a source connected with the first connection node, a drain connected with the ground line and a gate and a back gate connected with the power supply line, and a first NMOS transistor having a source connected with said first connection node, a drain connected with the power supply line and a gate and a back gate connected with the ground line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of dissipating heat, which has been produced in an ESD protection element, to the exterior of the device rapidly and efficiently includes an ESD protection element having a drain region, a source region and a gate electrode, and a thermal diffusion portion. The thermal diffusion portion, which has been formed on the drain region, has a metal layer electrically connected to a pad, and contacts connecting the drain region and metal layer. The metal layer has a first wiring trace extending along the gate electrode, and second wiring traces intersecting the first wiring trace perpendicularly. The contacts are connected to intersections between the first wiring trace and the second wiring traces. Heat that has been produced at a pn-junction of the ESD protection element and transferred through a contact is diffused simultaneously in three directions through the first wiring trace and second wiring trace in the metal layer and is released into the pad.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has: a power supply line; a ground line; a signal line for transmitting a signal; a signal pad connected to the signal line; a protection element connected between the signal line and the ground line; and a trigger circuit configured to supply a trigger current to the protection element. The trigger circuit has: a PMOS transistor whose gate and backgate are connected to the power supply line and whose source is connected to the protection element; and an amplifier circuit part configured to amplify a first current flowing through the PMOS transistor to generate a second current. The trigger current includes the second current.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a power supply line supplied with a power supply voltage; a power supply node connected with the power supply line; a ground line; a ground pad connected with the ground line; a signal input pad; a main protection circuit section configured to discharge an ESD surge applied to a first pad as one of the power supply node, the signal input pad and the ground pad to a second pad as another thereof; a protection object circuit; a connection node connected with the protection object circuit; a first resistance element connected between the signal input pad and the connection node; and a sub protection circuit section.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit including an output pad from which an output signal is outputted, an output signal line connected with said output pad, a first pad configured to function as a ground terminal or a power supply terminal, a first wiring connected with said first pad, an output driver connected with said output pad and configured to generate said output signal, an ESD protection device connected with a output signal line and having a function to discharge surge applied to said output pad, a first trigger MOS transistor used as a trigger device, a first protection target device connected between said output signal line and a first interconnection, a first resistance element connected between a gate and a source of said first trigger MOS transistor, and a switching device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has: a power supply line; a ground line; a signal line for transmitting a signal; a signal pad connected to the signal line; a protection element connected between the signal line and the ground line; and a trigger circuit configured to supply a trigger current to the protection element. The trigger circuit has: a PMOS transistor whose gate and backgate are connected to the power supply line and whose source is connected to the protection element; and an amplifier circuit part configured to amplify a first current flowing through the PMOS transistor to generate a second current. The trigger current includes the second current.