Patents by Inventor William G. Cowden

William G. Cowden has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9583603
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device includes a semiconductor substrate, a base region in the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type, an emitter region in the base region and having a second conductivity type, a collector region in the semiconductor substrate, spaced from the base region, and having the second conductivity type, a breakdown trigger region having the second conductivity type, disposed laterally between the base region and the collector region to define a junction across which breakdown occurs to trigger the ESD protection device to shunt ESD discharge current, and a gate structure supported by the semiconductor substrate over the breakdown trigger region and electrically tied to the base region and the emitter region. The lateral width of the breakdown trigger region is configured to establish a voltage level at which the breakdown occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Rouying Zhan, Chai Ean Gill, William G. Cowden, Changsoo Hong
  • Patent number: 9019667
    Abstract: Protection device structures and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary protection device includes a first bipolar junction transistor, a second bipolar junction transistor, a first zener diode, and a second zener diode. The collectors of the first bipolar junction transistors are electrically coupled. A cathode of the first zener diode is coupled to the collector of the first bipolar transistor and an anode of the first zener diode is coupled to the base of the first bipolar transistor. A cathode of the second zener diode is coupled to the collector of the second bipolar transistor and an anode of the second zener diode is coupled to the base of the second bipolar transistor. In exemplary embodiments, the base and emitter of the first bipolar transistor are coupled at a first interface and the base and emitter of the second bipolar transistor are coupled at a second interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Chai Ean Gill, Changsoo Hong, Rouying Zhan, William G. Cowden
  • Publication number: 20140225156
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device includes a semiconductor substrate, a base region in the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type, an emitter region in the base region and having a second conductivity type, a collector region in the semiconductor substrate, spaced from the base region, and having the second conductivity type, a breakdown trigger region having the second conductivity type, disposed laterally between the base region and the collector region to define a junction across which breakdown occurs to trigger the ESD protection device to shunt ESD discharge current, and a gate structure supported by the semiconductor substrate over the breakdown trigger region and electrically tied to the base region and the emitter region. The lateral width of the breakdown trigger region is configured to establish a voltage level at which the breakdown occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Rouying Zhan, Chai Ean Gill, William G. Cowden, Changsoo Hong
  • Publication number: 20140126091
    Abstract: Protection device structures and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary protection device includes a first bipolar junction transistor, a second bipolar junction transistor, a first zener diode, and a second zener diode. The collectors of the first bipolar junction transistors are electrically coupled. A cathode of the first zener diode is coupled to the collector of the first bipolar transistor and an anode of the first zener diode is coupled to the base of the first bipolar transistor. A cathode of the second zener diode is coupled to the collector of the second bipolar transistor and an anode of the second zener diode is coupled to the base of the second bipolar transistor. In exemplary embodiments, the base and emitter of the first bipolar transistor are coupled at a first interface and the base and emitter of the second bipolar transistor are coupled at a second interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Chai Ean Gill, Changsoo Hong, Rouying Zhan, William G. Cowden