Bidirectional Rectifier With Control Electrode (gate) (e.g., Triac) Patents (Class 257/119)
  • Patent number: 11791433
    Abstract: A single photon avalanche diode may include a substrate and a plurality of junction structures supported by the substrate. The substrate may have an upper surface and a lower surface that are opposite to each other. The junction structures may support by the substrate to make contact with the upper surface of the substrate. The junction structures may include portions that overlap with each other in a vertical direction perpendicular to the substrate. Each of the junction structures may include a first impurity region having a first conductive type and disposed to make contact with the upper surface of the substrate, and a second impurity region having a second conductive type and disposed to make contact with the upper surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the first impurity region. The first impurity region and the second impurity region in each of the junction structures may be configured to receive a bias voltage through the upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Soon Yeol Park
  • Patent number: 11079147
    Abstract: A method for loading refrigerant fluid into an A/C system from an apparatus for recovering and regenerating refrigerant fluid includes a step of hydraulically connecting the apparatus with the A/C system by a high pressure pipe and a low pressure pipe and a step of loading refrigerant fluid present in a storage container of the apparatus into the A/C system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SNAP-ON CLIMATE SOLUTIONS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Rahhali Sanhaji
  • Patent number: 10998913
    Abstract: A switching circuit for checking an analog input circuit of an A/D converter is shown. The switching circuit comprises the analog circuit and a comparator circuit. The analog input circuit is configured to generate a first derived signal S1 and a second derived signal S2 from an analog input signal SE of the analog input circuit. The first derived signal S1 and the second derived signal S2 are input signals for the comparator circuit, but only the first derived signal S1 is an input signal for the A/D converter. The comparator circuit is configured to check whether a deviation of the derived signals S1, S2 from each other lies within a tolerance range TOL and to output an output signal SA depending on the check, which may be further evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Alexander Buelow, Christian Voss
  • Patent number: 10804389
    Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a substrate, a first region, a second region, a source region, a drain region, an active gate stack, and a dummy gate stack. The substrate has a first conductivity. The first region having the first conductivity is formed in the substrate. The second region having a second conductivity is formed in the substrate and is adjacent to the first region. The source region with the second conductivity is formed in the first region. The drain region with the second conductivity is formed in the second region. The active gate stack is disposed on the first region. The dummy gate stack is disposed on the second region, and the dummy gate stack is electrically coupled to a variable voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Ching Wu, Po-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 10741548
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a vertical protection device having a thyristor and a lateral trigger element disposed in a substrate. The lateral trigger element is for triggering the vertical protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Vadim Valentinovic Vendt, Joost Willemen, Andre Schmenn, Damian Sojka
  • Patent number: 10658496
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high-speed superjunction lateral insulated gate bipolar transistor, and belongs to the technical field of semiconductor power devices. Fast turn-off can be achieved by replacing the lightly doped substrate of the existing bulk silicon superjunction lateral insulated gate bipolar transistor with heavily doped substrate, breakdown voltage of the device is ensured by reasonably setting the total number of impurities in each drift region of the over junction-sustaining voltage layer, and further application thereof in integrated circuits is realized by providing the semiconductor second substrate region and the semiconductor isolation region. A high speed superjunction laterally insulated gate bipolar transistor according to the present disclosure solves the contradiction between cost of the superjunction laterally insulated gate bipolar transistor and achievement of fast turn-off on a bulk silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Chongqing University
    Inventors: Zhi Lin, Qi Yuan, Shu Han, Shengdong Hu, Jianlin Zhou, Fang Tang, Xichuan Zhou
  • Patent number: 10069001
    Abstract: A triac has a vertical structure formed from a silicon substrate having an upper surface side. A main metallization on the upper surface side has a first portion resting on a first region of a first conductivity type formed in a layer of a second conductivity type. A second portion of the main metallization rests on a portion of the layer. A gate metallization on the upper surface side rests on a second region of the first conductivity type formed in the layer in the vicinity of the first region. A porous silicon bar formed in the layer at the upper surface side has a first end in contact with the gate metallization and a second end in contact with the main metallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventor: Samuel Menard
  • Patent number: 10002974
    Abstract: A Zener diode includes a semiconductor substrate, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The semiconductor substrate includes a p-type anode region, an n-type current path region and a drift region. The p-type anode region is connected to the anode electrode. The n-type current path region is in contact with the anode region. The drift region is in contact with the anode region and the current path region. The drift region is of an n type. The drift region has a lower n-type impurity concentration than the current path region. The drift region is connected to the cathode electrode directly or via another n-type region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroomi Eguchi, Hiromichi Kinpara, Takashi Okawa, Satoshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9997513
    Abstract: A multi-chip device can include stacked semiconductor devices including a top and bottom semiconductor device. The top semiconductor device can include a first circuit. The bottom semiconductor device can include a first through via and a first ESD protection circuit electrically connected to an external electrical connection of the device. The first ESD protection circuit can include a first ESD protection structure. The first through via can provide an electrical connection through the bottom semiconductor device between the external electrical connection and a first terminal of the first circuit, which can be free of an electrical connection to an ESD protection circuit having the first ESD protection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Darryl G. Walker
  • Patent number: 9979187
    Abstract: An example power device includes a semiconductor chip and an arrester element configurable to, in response to a voltage across the arrester element being greater than a threshold voltage, create a current path around an isolation layer configured to electrically isolate the semiconductor chip from a heat sink configured to dissipate heat generated by the semiconductor chip. In this example power device, the threshold voltage is less than a breakdown voltage of the isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Thomas Basler, Edward Fuergut, Stephan Voss
  • Patent number: 9947742
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes: a substrate; an anode electrode and a cathode electrode disposed on the substrate; a well region disposed inside the substrate in a lower portion of the anode electrode, and having p-type conductivity; an NISO region disposed in a lower portion of the well region inside the substrate, and having a first n-type impurity concentration; and an n-type buried layer disposed in a lower portion of the NISO region, and having a second impurity concentration greater than the first n-type impurity concentration, inside the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-mi Kim, Sun-hak Lee
  • Patent number: 9935167
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices include a channel layer on a substrate, the channel layer including a material having a lattice constant different from a lattice constant of the substrate, a first gate electrode on the channel layer, a first source region of a first conductivity type at a first side of the first gate electrode, a first body region of a second conductivity type under the first source region and contacting the first source region, a first drain region of the first conductivity type disposed at a second side of the first gate electrode, a first drift region of the first conductivity type under the first drain region and contacting the first drain region, and a first stud region in the channel layer and the first drift region. The first stud region has an impurity concentration higher than an impurity concentration of the first drift region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Hyun Noh, Su-Tae Kim, Jae-Hyun Yoo, Byeong-Ryeol Lee, Jong-Sung Jeon
  • Patent number: 9818615
    Abstract: Methods and systems for double-sided semiconductor device fabrication. Devices having multiple leads on each surface can be fabricated using a high-temperature-resistant handle wafer and a medium-temperature-resistant handle wafer. Dopants can be introduced on both sides shortly before a single long high-temperature diffusion step diffuses all dopants to approximately equal depths on both sides. All high-temperature processing occurs with no handle wafer or with a high-temperature handle wafer attached. Once a medium-temperature handle wafer is attached, no high-temperature processing steps occur. High temperatures can be considered to be those which can result in damage to the device in the presence of aluminum-based metallizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ideal Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Blanchard, William C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 9787298
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a double-base bidirectional power bipolar transistor. Two timing phases are used to transition into turn-off: one where each base is shorted to its nearest emitter/collector region, and a second one where negative drive is applied to the emitter-side base to reduce the minority carrier population in the bulk substrate. A diode prevents reverse turn-on while negative base drive is being applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ideal Power, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Alexander, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9741839
    Abstract: A thyristor device that can include a disc-shaped device comprising a semiconductor material forming alternating p-n-p-n type layers. The device can include a gate area extending from an external gate lead contact point to a plurality of thyristor units connected in parallel. Each thyristor unit can include at least one exposed pB layer portion to form at least one plural point to which gate current can be directed. Further, an insulator layer can be formed over the gate area to insulate at least a portion of the gate electrode from the pB layer so that displacement current can be directed to short dots and then to the plural points. Current entering each thyristor unit can generate a turned-on area at each thyristor unit that spreads throughout the thyristor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Powerex, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9444449
    Abstract: The present application teaches, inter alia, methods and circuits for operating a B-TRAN (double-base bidirectional bipolar junction transistor). Exemplary base drive circuits provide high-impedance drive to the base contact region on the side of the device instantaneously operating as the collector. (The B-TRAN is controlled by applied voltage rather than applied current.) Current signals operate preferred implementations of drive circuits to provide diode-mode turn-on and pre-turnoff operation, as well as a hard ON state with low voltage drop (the “transistor-ON” state). In some preferred embodiments, self-synchronizing rectifier circuits provide adjustable low voltage for gate drive circuits. In some preferred embodiments, the base drive voltage used to drive the c-base region (on the collector side) is varied while base current at that terminal is monitored, so no more base current than necessary is applied. This solves the difficult challenge of optimizing base drive in a B-TRAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ideal Power Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Alexander, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9391071
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, a fifth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type provided on the third semiconductor region and the fourth semiconductor region, and a sixth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type. The third semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor region and has a dopant concentration that is lower than a dopant concentration of the first semiconductor region. The fourth semiconductor region is provided on the second semiconductor region adjacent to the third semiconductor region. A dopant contained in the fourth semiconductor region extends to a level that is deeper than a level of a dopant contained in the third semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Tamaki
  • Patent number: 9269422
    Abstract: A two transistor ternary random access memory (TTTRAM) circuit includes an voltage/current input, an input/output switch, a first transistor, a first pull up resistor, a second transistor, and a second pull up resistor. The first transistor has a first emitter, a first collector connected to the input/output switch, and a first base. The first pull up resistor is connected to the first emitter and the voltage/current input. The second transistor has a second emitter connected to ground, a second collector, and a second base connected to the input/output switch. The second pull up resistor is connected to the first base, the second collector, and the voltage/current input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Simon Peter Tsaoussis
  • Patent number: 9231582
    Abstract: Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: IDEAL POWER INC.
    Inventors: William C. Alexander, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9209798
    Abstract: Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: IDEAL POWER INC.
    Inventors: William C. Alexander, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9209713
    Abstract: Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ideal Power Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Alexander, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9203400
    Abstract: Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ideal Power Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Alexander, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9203401
    Abstract: Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ideal Power Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Alexander, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9190894
    Abstract: Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ideal Power Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Alexander, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9190522
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, which has stable electric characteristics and high reliability. A semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor film, a source electrode and a drain electrode which are electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film, a metal oxide film which is partly in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film which is over and in contact with the metal oxide film, and a gate electrode over the gate insulating film. With such a structure, effect of charge on the oxide semiconductor film can be relaxed; thus, shift of the threshold voltage in the transistor, due to charge trapping at an interface of the oxide semiconductor film, can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9100000
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may be provided with a semiconductor substrate, an insulating film disposed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, at least one electrode disposed on a surface of the insulating film, and a voltage applying circuit configured to apply a first voltage to the at least one electrode. The semiconductor substrate may be provided with a cell region and a non-cell region adjacent to the cell region. The cell region is provided with a semiconductor element, and the non-cell region is provided with a withstand voltage structure. The insulating film may be disposed on a surface of the non-cell region. The at least one electrode may be electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate. The voltage applying circuit may apply the first voltage to the electrode during at least a part of a first period in which a second voltage is not applied to the semiconductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Saito, Masuhisa Hirose
  • Patent number: 9024354
    Abstract: A silicon-controlled rectification device with high efficiency is disclosed, which comprises a P-type region surrounding an N-type region. A first P-type heavily doped area is arranged in the N-type region and connected with a high-voltage terminal. A plurality of second N-type heavily doped areas is arranged in the N-type region. A plurality of second P-type heavily doped areas is closer to the second N-type heavily doped areas than the first N-type heavily doped area and arranged in the P-type region. At least one third N-type heavily doped area is arranged in the P-type region and connected with a low-voltage terminal. Alternatively or in combination, the second N-type heavily doped areas and the second P-type heavily doped areas are respectively arranged in the P-type region and the N-type region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Amazing Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Tung-Yang Chen, James Jeng-Jie Peng, Woei-Lin Wu, Ryan Hsin-Chin Jiang
  • Publication number: 20150108537
    Abstract: A vertical power component includes a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type with a well of the second conductivity type on a lower surface of the substrate. The first well is bordered at a component periphery with an insulating porous silicon ring. An upper surface of the porous silicon ring is only in contact with the substrate of the first conductivity type. The insulating porous silicon ring penetrates into the substrate down to a depth greater than a thickness of the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, Universite Francois Rabelais
    Inventors: Samuel Menard, Gael Gautier
  • Patent number: 8994065
    Abstract: A vertical power component including: a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type; on the side of a lower surface of the substrate supporting a single electrode, a lower layer of the second conductivity type; and on the side of an upper surface of the substrate supporting a conduction electrode and a gate electrode, an upper region of the second conductivity type, wherein the component periphery includes, on the lower surface side, a porous silicon insulating ring penetrating into the substrate down to a depth greater than that of the lower layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, Universite Francois Rabelais
    Inventors: Samuel Menard, Gaël Gautier
  • Patent number: 8987870
    Abstract: A bridge rectifier including a common P-type diode, a common N-type diode, two first metal layers, two pairs of second metal layers, two AC inputs and two DC outputs. The P-type diode includes a common P-type doping region, a pair of first N-type substrate regions and a pair of P-type doping regions. The N-type diode includes a common N-type doping region, a pair of second N-type substrate regions and a pair of N-type doping regions. The first metal layers connect to the common N-type doping region and the common P-type doping region. The second metal layers connect to the P-type doping region and the N-type doping region. Two AC inputs connect to one of the second metal layers of the P-type diode and one of the second metal layers of the N-type diode respectively. Two DC inputs connect to the first metal layers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lite-On Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Ching-Chiu Tseng
  • Patent number: 8963253
    Abstract: A bi-directional electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device may include a substrate, an N+ doped buried layer, an N-type well region and two P-type well regions. The N+ doped buried layer may be disposed proximate to the substrate. The N-type well region may encompass the two P-type well regions such that a portion of the N-type well region is interposed between the two P-type well regions. The P-type well regions may be disposed proximate to the N+ doped buried layer and comprise one or more N+ doped plates, one or more P+ doped plates, one or more field oxide (FOX) portions, and one or more field plates. A multi-emitter structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Liang Chen, Shuo-Lun Tu
  • Patent number: 8952418
    Abstract: Some embodiments include gated bipolar junction transistors. The transistors may include a base region between a collector region and an emitter region; with a B-C junction being at an interface of the base region and the collector region, and with a B-E junction being at an interface of the base region and the emitter region. The transistors may include material having a bandgap of at least 1.2 eV within one or more of the base, emitter and collector regions. The gated transistors may include a gate along the base region and spaced from the base region by dielectric material, with the gate not overlapping either the B-C junction or the B-E junction. Some embodiments include memory arrays containing gated bipolar junction transistors. Some embodiments include methods of forming gated bipolar junction transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh N. Gupta, Farid Nemati, Scott T. Robins
  • Patent number: 8937334
    Abstract: A triggerable bidirectional semiconductor device has two terminals and at least one gate. The device comprises, within a layer of silicon on insulator, a central semiconductor zone incorporating the at least one gate and comprising a central region having a first conductivity type, two intermediate regions having a second conductivity type respectively arranged on either side of and in contact with the central region, two semiconductor end zones respectively arranged on either side of the central zone, each end zone comprising two end regions having opposite types of conductivity, in contact with the adjacent intermediate region, the two end regions of each end zone being mutually connected electrically in order to form the two terminals of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Thomas Benoist, Philippe Galy, Johan Bourgeat, Frank Jezequel, Nicolas Guitard
  • Publication number: 20150002035
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) driving device for driving a plurality of LEDs has a switching matrix utilizing a plurality of one of a turn off thyristors or turn off triacs coupled to the plurality of LEDs. A controller is coupled to the switching matrix responsive to a voltage of a rectified AC halfwave, wherein combinations of the plurality of LEDs are altered to ensure a maximum operating voltage of the plurality of LEDs is not exceeded. A current limiting device is coupled to the combinations of the plurality of LED to regulate current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: David Schie, Mike Ward
  • Patent number: 8912566
    Abstract: A gate amplification triac including in a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type a vertical triac and a lateral bipolar transistor having its emitter connected to the triac gate, its base connected to a control terminal, and its collector connected to a terminal intended to be connected to a first reference voltage, the main terminal of the triac on the side of the transistor being intended to be connected to a second reference voltage, the transistor being formed in a first well of the second conductivity type and the triac comprising on the transistor side a second well of the second conductivity type, the first and second wells being formed so that the substrate-well breakdown voltage of the transistor is greater than the substrate-well breakdown voltage of the triac by at least the difference between the first and second reference voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventor: Yannick Hague
  • Patent number: 8901601
    Abstract: A vertical power component including a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type and, on the side of a lower surface supporting a single electrode, a well of the second conductivity type, in which the component periphery includes, on the lower surface side, a peripheral trench at least partially filled with a passivation and, between the well and the trench, a porous silicon insulating ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, Universite Francois Rabelais UFR Sciences et Techniques
    Inventors: Samuel Menard, Yannick Hague, Gaël Gautier
  • Publication number: 20140332842
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, an ultra-fast breakover diode has a turn on time TON that is less than 0.3 microseconds, where the forward breakover voltage is greater than +400 volts and varies less than one percent per ten degrees Celsius change. In a second embodiment, a breakover diode has a reverse breakdown voltage that is greater, in absolute magnitude, than the forward breakover voltage, where the forward breakover voltage is greater than +400 volts. In a third embodiment, a string of series-connected breakover diode dice is provided, along with a resistor string, in a packaged circuit. The packaged circuit acts like a single breakover diode having a large forward breakover voltage and a comparably large reverse breakdown voltage, even though the packaged circuit includes no discrete high voltage reverse breakdown diode. The packaged circuit is usable to supply a triggering current to a thyristor in a voltage protection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: IXYS Corporation
    Inventor: Subhas Chandra Bose Jayappa Veeramma
  • Patent number: 8878237
    Abstract: An insulated gate turn-off thyristor, formed as a die, has a layered structure including a p+ layer (e.g., a substrate), an n? layer, a p-well, vertical insulated gate regions formed in the p-well, and n+ regions between the gate regions, so that vertical NPN and PNP transistors are formed. The thyristor is formed of a matrix of cells. Due to the discontinuity along the edge cells, a relatively large number of holes are injected into the n? epi layer and drift into the edge p-well, normally creating a higher current along the edge and lowering the breakover voltage of the thyristor. To counter this effect, the dopant concentration of the n+ region(s) near the edge is reduced to reduce the NPN transistor beta and current along the edge, thus increasing the breakover voltage. Alternatively, a deep trench may circumscribe the edge cells to provide isolation from the injected holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pakal Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Hidenori Akiyama, Richard A. Blanchard, Woytek Tworzydlo
  • Patent number: 8872220
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device that includes a plurality of multiple gate FinFETs (MuGFETs) is disclosed. Fins of different crystal orientations for PMOS and NMOS MuGFETs are formed through amorphization and crystal regrowth on a direct silicon bonded (DSB) hybrid orientation technology (HOT) substrate. PMOS MuGFET fins are formed with channels defined by fin sidewall surfaces having (110) crystal orientations. NMOS MuGFET fins are formed with channels defined by fin sidewall surfaces having (100) crystal orientations in a Manhattan layout with the sidewall channels of the different PMOS and NMOS MuGFETs aligned at 0° or 90° rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Weize W. Xiong, Cloves R. Cleavelin, Angelo Pinto, Rick L. Wise
  • Publication number: 20140299912
    Abstract: In a silicon-controlled-rectifier (SCR) with adjustable holding voltage, an epitaxial layer is formed on a heavily doped semiconductor layer. A first N-well having a first P-heavily doped area is formed in the epitaxial layer. A first P-well is formed in the epitaxial layer. Besides, a first N-heavily doped area is formed in the first P-well. At least one deep isolation trench is formed in the epitaxial layer, having a depth greater than the depth of the first N-type well and located between the first P-heavily doped area and the first N-heavily doped area. A distance between the deep isolation trench and the heavily doped semiconductor layer is larger than zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Kun-Hsien LIN, Che-Hao CHUANG, Ryan Hsin-Chin JIANG
  • Patent number: 8847275
    Abstract: The component incorporates, in topological terms, a scalable number of triac structures in a concentric annular arrangement. The component can be used with an electronic device to protect against electrostatic discharges. For example, the components can be used to protect the input/output pad, the first power supply terminal, and the second power supply terminal of an integrated circuit against electrostatic discharges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Jean Jimenez, Philippe Galy, Boris Heitz
  • Patent number: 8841696
    Abstract: An SCR includes a first doped region of a first type having a first doping concentration. A first well of the first type and a first well of a second type are disposed in upper areas of the first doped region of the first type such that the first well of the second type is laterally spaced from the first well of the first type by a non-zero distance. A second doped region of the first type has a second doping concentration that is greater than the first doping concentration and is disposed in the first well of the second type to form an anode of the SCR. A first doped region of the second type is disposed in the first well of the first type and forms a cathode of the SCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jam-Wem Lee, Yi-Feng Chang
  • Patent number: 8809986
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device capable of reducing a temperature-dependent variation of a current sense ratio and accurately detecting current. In the semiconductor device, at least one of an impurity concentration and a thickness of each semiconductor layer is adjusted such that a value calculated by a following equation is less than a predetermined value: [ ? i = 1 n ? ( R Mi × k Mi ) - ? i = 1 n ? ( R Si × k Si ) ] / ? i = 1 n ? ( R Mi × k Mi ) where a temperature-dependent resistance changing rate of an i-th semiconductor layer (i=1 to n) of the main element domain is RMi; a resistance ratio of the i-th semiconductor layer of the main element domain relative to the entire main element domain is kMi; a temperature-dependent resistance changing rate of the i-th semiconductor layer of the sense element domain is RSi; and a resistance ratio of the i-th semiconductor layer of the sense element domain to the entire sense element domain is kSi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidefumi Takaya, Kimimori Hamada, Yuji Nishibe
  • Publication number: 20140217461
    Abstract: An ESD protection circuit includes at least a first and a second silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) circuits. The first SCR circuit is coupled between the pad and the positive power supply terminal. The second SCR circuit is coupled between the pad and the ground terminal. At least one of the SCR circuits is configured to selectively provide a short or relatively conductive electrical path between the pad and one of the positive power supply terminal and the ground terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hsiang SONG, Jam-Wem LEE, Tzu-Heng CHANG, Yu-Ying HSU
  • Patent number: 8785970
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch controllable by a voltage between its gate and rear electrode and including an N-type semiconductor substrate surrounded with a P-type well; on the front surface side, a P-type well in which is formed a first N-type region; on the rear surface side, a P-type layer in which is formed a second N-type region. The well is doped to less than 1016 at./cm3, the exposed surfaces of this well being heavily P-type doped. At least a third P-type region, of same doping level as the well, is formed on the front surface side in the substrate, and contains at least a fourth N-type region of a doping level lower than 1017 at./cm3, on which is formed a Schottky contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (TOURS) SAS
    Inventor: Samuel Menard
  • Patent number: 8779749
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a D.C. signal for controlling an A.C. switch referenced to a first potential, from a high-frequency signal referenced to a second potential, including: a first capacitive element connecting a first input terminal, intended to receive the high-frequency signal, to the cathode of a rectifying element having its anode connected to a first output terminal intended to be connected to a control terminal of the switch; and a second capacitive element connecting a second input terminal, intended to be connected to the second reference potential, to a second output terminal intended to be connected to the first reference potential, a second rectifying element connecting the cathode of the first rectifying element to the second output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Jérôme Heurtier, Samuel Menard, Amaud Florence
  • Patent number: 8742467
    Abstract: A bidirectional switching device includes a semiconductor multilayer structure made of a nitride semiconductor, a first ohmic electrode and a second ohmic electrode which are formed on the semiconductor multilayer structure, and a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode. The first gate electrode is covered with a first shield electrode having a potential substantially equal to that of the first ohmic electrode. The second gate electrode is covered with the second shield electrode having a potential substantially equal to that of the second ohmic electrode. An end of the first shield electrode is positioned between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, and an end of the second shield electrode is positioned between the second gate electrode and the first gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Morita, Daisuke Ueda, Yasuhiro Uemoto, Tetsuzo Ueda
  • Publication number: 20140138735
    Abstract: Junction-isolated blocking voltage devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In certain implementations, a blocking voltage device includes an anode terminal electrically connected to a first p-well, a cathode terminal electrically connected to a first n-well, a ground terminal electrically connected to a second p-well, and an n-type isolation layer for isolating the first p-well from a p-type substrate. The first p-well and the first n-well operate as a blocking diode. The blocking voltage device further includes a PNPN silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) associated with a P+ region formed in the first n-well, the first n-well, the first p-well, and an N+ region formed in the first p-well. Additionally, the blocking voltage device further includes an NPNPN bidirectional SCR associated with an N+ region formed in the first p-well, the first p-well, the n-type isolation layer, the second p-well, and an N+ region formed in the second p-well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID J. CLARKE, JAVIER ALEJANDRO SALCEDO, BRIAN B. MOANE, JUAN LUO, SEAMUS MURNANE, KIERAN K. HEFFERNAN, JOHN TWOMEY, STEPHEN DENIS HEFFERNAN, GAVIN PATRICK COSGRAVE
  • Publication number: 20140131764
    Abstract: Switch devices, such as Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR), DIAC, or TRIAC, on a semiconductor body are disclosed. P/N junctions can be built on a semiconductor body, such as polysilicon or active region body on an insulated substrate, with a first implant in one end and a second implant in the other end. The first and second implant regions are separated with a space. A silicide block layer can cover the space and overlap into both implant regions to construct P/N junctions in the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Shine C. Chung
  • Patent number: 8723218
    Abstract: Silicon carbide PiN diodes are presented with reduced temperature coefficient crossover points by limited p type contact area to limit hole injection in the n type drift layer in order to provide a lower current at which the diode shifts from negative temperature coefficient to a positive temperature coefficient of forward voltage for mitigating thermal runaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Karl D. Hobart, Francis J. Kub, Mario Ancona, Eugene A. Imhoff