Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises implanting a first dopant type in a well region of a substrate to form implanted sub-regions that are separated by non-implanted areas of the well region. The method also comprises forming an oxide layer over the well region, such that an oxide-converted first thickness of the implanted sub-regions is greater than an oxide-converted second thickness of the non-implanted areas. The method further comprises removing the oxide layer to form a topography feature on the well region. The topography feature comprises a surface pattern of higher and lower portions. The higher portions correspond to locations of the non-implanted areas and the lower portions correspond to the implanted sub-regions.

Abstract: Drain-extended MOS transistors (T1, T2) and semiconductor devices (102) are described, as well as fabrication methods (202) therefor, in which a p-buried layer (130) is formed prior to formation of epitaxial silicon (106) over a substrate (104), and a drain-extended MOS transistor (T1, T2) is formed in the epitaxial silicon layer (106). The p-buried layer (130) may be formed above an n-buried layer (120) in the substrate (104) for high-side driver transistor (T2) applications, wherein the p-buried layer (130) extends between the drain-extended MOS transistor (T2) and the n-buried layer (120) to inhibit off-state breakdown between the source (154) and drain (156).

Abstract: A transistor comprises a source region of a first conductivity type and electrically communicating with a first semiconductor region. The transistor also comprises a drain region of the first conductivity type and electrically communicating with a second semiconductor region that differs from the first semiconductor region. An interface exists between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region. The transistor also comprises a voltage tap region comprising at least a portion located in a position that is closer to the interface than the drain region. A mixed technology circuit is also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (102) that includes a drain extended PMOS transistor (CT1a) is provided, as well as fabrication methods (202) therefore. In forming the PMOS transistor, a drain (124) of the transistor is formed over a region (125) of a p-type upper epitaxial layer (106), where the region (125) of the p-type upper epitaxial layer (106) is sandwiched between a left P-WELL region (130a) and a right P-WELL region (130b) formed within the p-type upper epitaxial layer (106). The p-type upper epitaxial layer (106) is formed over a semiconductor body (104) that has an n-buried layer (108) formed therein. This arrangement serves to increase the breakdown voltage (BVdss) of the drain extended PMOS transistor.

Abstract: Extended-drain MOS transistor devices and fabrication methods are provided, in which a drift region of a first conductivity type is formed between a drain of the first conductivity type and a channel. The drift region comprises first and second portions, the first portion extending partially under a gate structure between the channel and the second portion, and the second portion extending laterally between the first portion and the drain, wherein the first portion of the drift region has a concentration of first type dopants higher than the second portion.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and manufacturing methods therefor are disclosed, in which a drain-extended MOS transistor comprises a self-aligned floating region proximate one end of the transistor gate and doped with a first type dopant to reduce channel hot carrier degradation, as well as an oppositely doped first source/drain laterally spaced from the first end of the gate structure in a semiconductor body. The device may further comprise a resurf region doped to a lower concentration than the floating region to facilitate improved breakdown voltage performance. A method of fabricating a drain-extended MOS transistor in a semiconductor device is disclosed, comprising providing first dopants to a floating region in a semiconductor body, which is self-aligned with the first end of a gate structure, and providing second dopants to source/drains of the semiconductor body, wherein the first and second dopants are different.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip, mounted on a leadframe, has a network of power distribution lines deposited on the surface of the chip so that these lines are located over active components of the IC, connected vertically by metal-filled vias to selected active components below the lines, and also by conductors to segments of the leadframe. Furthermore, the lines are fabricated with a sheet resistance of less than 1.5 m?/· and the majority of the lines is patterned as straight lines between the vias and the conductors, respectively.

Abstract: High side extended-drain MOS driver transistors (T2) are presented in which an extended drain (108, 156) is separated from a first buried layer (120) by a second buried layer (130), wherein an internal or external diode (148) is coupled between the first buried layer (120) and the extended drain (108, 156) to increase the breakdown voltage.

Abstract: Methods of fabrication and devices include field plates formed during capacitor formation. Isolation structures are formed in a semiconductor substrate. Well regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate. Drain extension regions are formed in the well regions. A gate dielectric layer is formed over the device. A gate electrode layer is formed that serves as the gate electrode and a bottom capacitor plate. The gate electrode and the gate dielectric layer are patterned to form gate structures. Source and drain regions are formed within the well regions and the drain extension regions. A silicide blocking layer is formed that also serves as a capacitor dielectric. Field plates and a top capacitor plate are formed on the blocking layer.

Abstract: The concept of the present invention describes a semiconductor device with a junction 504 between a lightly doped region 501 and a heavily doped region 502, wherein the junction has an elongated portion 504a and curved portions 504b. The doping concentration of the lightly doped region is configured so that it exhibits higher resistivity in the proximity 510 of the curved portion by an amount suitable to lower the electric field strength during device operation and thus to offset the increased field strength caused by the curved portion. As a consequence, the device breakdown voltage in the curved junction portion becomes equal to or greater than the breakdown voltage in the linear portion.

Abstract: High side extended-drain MOS driver transistors (T2) are presented in which an extended drain (108, 156) is separated from a first buried layer (120) by a second buried layer (130), wherein an internal or external diode (148) is coupled between the first buried layer (120) and the extended drain (108, 156) to increase the breakdown voltage.

Abstract: Drain-extended MOS transistors (T1, T2) and semiconductor devices (102) are described, as well as fabrication methods (202) therefor, in which a p-buried layer (130) is formed prior to formation of epitaxial silicon (106) over a substrate (104), and a drain-extended MOS transistor (T1, T2) is formed in the epitaxial silicon layer (106). The p-buried layer (130) may be formed above an n-buried layer (120) in the substrate (104) for high-side driver transistor (T2) applications, wherein the p-buried layer (130) extends between the drain-extended MOS transistor (T2) and the n-buried layer (120) to inhibit off-state breakdown between the source (154) and drain (156).

Abstract: Validation of at least some of a proposed semiconductor design layout is disclosed. According to one or more aspects of the present invention, a first voltage dependent design rule is applied to an edge of an area of the layout if the edge is not covered by a pseudo layer. A second voltage dependent design rule is, on the other hand, applied to the edge of the area if the edge is covered by the pseudo layer.

Abstract: Methods of fabrication and devices include field plates formed during capacitor formation. Isolation structures are formed in a semiconductor substrate. Well regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate. Drain extension regions are formed in the well regions. A gate dielectric layer is formed over the device. A gate electrode layer is formed that serves as the gate electrode and a bottom capacitor plate. The gate electrode and the gate dielectric layer are patterned to form gate structures. Source and drain regions are formed within the well regions and the drain extension regions. A silicide blocking layer is formed that also serves as a capacitor dielectric. Field plates and a top capacitor plate are formed on the blocking layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip, mounted on a leadframe, has a network of power distribution lines deposited on the surface of the chip so that these lines are located over active components of the IC, connected vertically by metal-filled vias to selected active components below the lines, and also by conductors to segments of the leadframe. Furthermore, the lines are fabricated with a sheet resistance of less than 1.5 m?/? and the majority of the lines is patterned as straight lines between the vias and the conductors, respectively.

Abstract: A transistor can be fabricated to exhibit reduced channel hot carrier effects. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for fabricating a transistor structure includes implanting a first dopant into a lightly doped drain (LDD) region to form a shallow region therein. The first dopant penetrates the substrate to a depth that is less than the LDD junction depth. A second dopant is implanted into the substrate beyond the LDD junction depth to form a source/drain region. The implantation of the second dopant overpowers a substantial portion of the first dopant to define a floating ring in the LDD region that mitigates channel hot carrier effects.

Abstract: A transistor can be fabricated to exhibit reduced channel hot carrier effects. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for fabricating a transistor structure includes implanting a first dopant into a lightly doped drain (LDD) region to form a shallow region therein. The first dopant penetrates the substrate to a depth that is less than the LDD junction depth. A second dopant is implanted into the substrate beyond the LDD junction depth to form a source/drain region. The implantation of the second dopant overpowers a substantial portion of the first dopant to define a floating ring in the LDD region that mitigates channel hot carrier effects.

Abstract: A CMOS integrated circuit (15A-B-C) includes both relatively low-power (124, 126) and high-power (132, 134) CMOS transistors on the same chip. A 20V, relatively high-power PMOS device (134) includes a heavily doped N-well drain region (70). A 20V, relatively high-power NMOS device (132) includes heavily doped P-type buried layers (76, 78) underneath the source (94) and drain regions (96) and spanning the gap between the P-well gate (90F) and adjacent P-well isolation regions (46, 50).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having an alignment feature. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, among other steps, may include implanting an n-type dopant into a substrate thereby forming an implanted region and an unimplanted region in the substrate. The method may further include oxidizing the substrate using a wet oxidation process, the wet oxidation process and n-type dopant causing a ratio of oxidation of the implanted region to the unimplanted region to be 2:1 or greater, and then removing the oxidized portions of the substrate thereby leaving an alignment feature proximate the implanted region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes one or more LDMOS transistors and one of more SCR-LDMOS transistors. Each LDMOS transistor includes a LDMOS well of a first conductivity type, a LDMOS source region of a second conductivity type formed in the LDMOS well, and a LDMOS drain region of a second conductivity type separated from the LDMOS well by a LDMOS drift region of the second conductivity type. Each SCR-LDMOS transistor comprising a SCR-LDMOS well of the first conductivity type, a SCR-LDMOS source region of the second conductivity type formed in the SCR-LDMOS well, a SCR-LDMOS drain region of a second conductivity type, and a anode region of the first conductivity type between the SCR-LDMOS drain region and the SCR-LDMOS drift region. The anode region is separated from the SCR-LDMOS well by a SCR-LDMOS drift region of the second conductivity type.