Rate Of Rise Of Current (e.g., Di/dt) Patents (Class 257/174)
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Patent number: 10818655Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate (110); a buried layer (120) formed on the substrate (110), a diffusion layer (130) formed on the buried layer (120), wherein the diffusion layer (130) includes a first diffusion region (132) and a second diffusion region (134), and an impurity type of the second diffusion region (134) is opposite to an impurity type of the first diffusion region (132); the diffusion layer (134) further comprises a plurality of third diffusion regions (136) formed in the second diffusion region, wherein an impurity type of the third diffusion region (136) is opposite to the impurity type of the second diffusion region (134); and a gate (144) formed on the diffusion layer (130).Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: CSMC TECHNOLOGIES FAB2 CO., LTD.Inventors: Guangsheng Zhang, Sen Zhang
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Patent number: 9941351Abstract: Various improvements in vertical transistors, such as IGBTs, are disclosed. The improvements include forming periodic highly-doped p-type emitter dots in the top surface region of a growth substrate, followed by growing the various transistor layers, followed by grounding down the bottom surface of the substrate, followed by a wet etch of the bottom surface to expose the heavily doped p+ layer. A metal contact is then formed over the p+ layer. In another improvement, edge termination structures utilize p-dopants implanted in trenches to create deep p-regions for shaping the electric field, and shallow p-regions between the trenches for rapidly removing holes after turn-off. In another improvement, a dual buffer layer using an n-layer and distributed n+ regions improves breakdown voltage and saturation voltage. In another improvement, p-zones of different concentrations in a termination structure are formed by varying pitches of trenches. In another improvement, beveled saw streets increase breakdown voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: MaxPower Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: Hamza Yilmaz
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Patent number: 9852910Abstract: Various improvements in vertical transistors, such as IGBTs, are disclosed. The improvements include forming periodic highly-doped p-type emitter dots in the top surface region of a growth substrate, followed by growing the various transistor layers, followed by grounding down the bottom surface of the substrate, followed by a wet etch of the bottom surface to expose the heavily doped p+ layer. A metal contact is then formed over the p+ layer. In another improvement, edge termination structures utilize p-dopants implanted in trenches to create deep p-regions for shaping the electric field, and shallow p-regions between the trenches for rapidly removing holes after turn-off. In another improvement, a dual buffer layer using an n-layer and distributed n+ regions improves breakdown voltage and saturation voltage. In another improvement, p-zones of different concentrations in a termination structure are formed by varying pitches of trenches. In another improvement, beveled saw streets increase breakdown voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: MaxPower Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Hamza Yilmaz
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Patent number: 9761595Abstract: A one-time programming device includes a field effect semiconductor transistor with a gate or a channel region of the field effect semiconductor transistor including a shape of a footprint so that in an on-state of the field effect semiconductor transistor a critical electrical field is reached within an area of the channel region, a bulk region or a drain region of the field effect semiconductor transistor due to the shape of the footprint resulting in a damage of a p-n junction between the channel region or the bulk region and the drain region of the field effect semiconductor transistor or resulting in a damage of a gate insulation of the field effect semiconductor transistor after a predetermined programming time.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Hubert Rothleitner
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Patent number: 9478608Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transceiver interface overvoltage clamping are provided. In certain configurations, an interface device includes a first p-type well region and a second p-type well region in an n-type isolation structure. Additionally, the clamp device includes a first p-type active region and a first n-type active region in the first p-type well region and electrically connected to a first terminal of the clamp device. Furthermore, the clamp device includes a second p-type active region and a second n-type active region in the second p-type well region and electrically connected to a second terminal of the clamp device. The n-type isolation structure is in a p-type region of a semiconductor substrate, and electrically isolates the first and second p-type well regions from the p-type substrate region. The clamp device further includes a blocking voltage tuning structure positioned between the first and second n-type active regions.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Javier Alejandro Salcedo, James Zhao, Juan Luo
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Patent number: 8969914Abstract: An integrated circuit including a first power rail, a second power rail, a power clamp connected between the first and second power rails; and a trigger circuit connected to the power clamp and the first second power rails. The trigger circuit includes an RC element formed on the basis of field effect transistors, first inverter stage connected to the RC element, a second inverter stage, and a third inverter stage. The first, second and third inverter stages are connected in series to a control input of the power clamp. The trigger circuit also included a feed back connection from an output of the second inverter stage to the first inverter stage.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.Inventors: Sreenivasa Chalamala, Matthias Baer
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Patent number: 8956924Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an SCR ESD device region disposed within a semiconductor body, and a plurality of first device regions of the first conductivity type disposed on a second device region of the second conductivity type, where the second conductivity type is opposite the first conductivity type. Also included is a plurality of third device regions having a sub-region of the first conductivity type and a sub-region of the second conductivity type disposed on the second device region. The first regions and second regions are distributed such that the third regions are not directly adjacent to each other. A fourth device region of the first conductivity type adjacent to the second device region and a fifth device region of the second conductivity type disposed within the fourth device region are also included.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Krzysztof Domanski, Cornelius C. Russ, Kai Esmark
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Patent number: 8933483Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidefumi Takaya, Kimimori Hamada, Yuji Nishibe
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Patent number: 8847275Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Jean Jimenez, Philippe Galy, Boris Heitz
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Patent number: 8829565Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device is provided. The electrostatic discharge protection device can include a semiconductor substrate having a first well and a second well, a silicon controller rectifier (SCR) device, and first and second impurity areas disposed on the first and second wells to form a PN junction. The SCR can have a PNPN structure or an NPNP structure, and the PN junction structure and the SCR device can be alternately disposed when the substrate is viewed from above.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae Hyun Yoo, Jong Min Kim
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Patent number: 8809986Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidefumi Takaya, Kimimori Hamada, Yuji Nishibe
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Patent number: 8759872Abstract: A structure and method of fabrication thereof relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced ?VT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. A novel dopant profile indicative of a distinctive notch enables tuning of the VT setting within a precise range. This VT set range may be extended by appropriate selection of metals so that a very wide range of VT settings is accommodated on the die. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. The result is the ability to independently control VT (with a low ?VT) and VDD, so that the body bias can be tuned separately from VT for a given device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: SuVolta, Inc.Inventors: Reza Arghavani, Pushkar Ranade, Lucian Shifren, Scott E. Thompson, Catherine de Villeneuve
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Patent number: 8680621Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising electro-static discharge (ESD) protection circuitry arranged to provide ESD protection to an external terminal of the integrated circuit. The ESD protection circuitry comprises: a thyristor circuit comprising a first bipolar switching device operably coupled to the external terminal and a second bipolar switching device operably coupled to another external terminal, a collector of the first bipolar switching device being coupled to a base of the second bipolar switching device and a base of the first bipolar switching device being coupled to a collector of the second bipolar switching device. A third bipolar switching device is also provided and operably coupled to the thyristor circuit and has a threshold voltage for triggering the thyristor circuit, the threshold voltage being independently configurable of the thyristor circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Patrice Besse, Jean Philippe Laine
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Patent number: 8637900Abstract: A structure includes first and second silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) formed in a substrate. The first and the second SCRs each include at least one component commonly shared between the first and the second SCRs.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li, Ankit Srivastava
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Patent number: 8633543Abstract: An electro-static discharge protection circuit includes: a PNPN junction, a P-type side of the PNPN junction being coupled to a terminal, an N-type side of the PNPN junction being coupled to ground; and a P-type metal oxide semiconductor transistor, a source and a gate of the P-type metal oxide semiconductor transistor being coupled to an N-type side of a PN junction whose P-type side coupled to the ground, and a drain of the P-type metal oxide semiconductor transistor being coupled to the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor LimitedInventors: Kazutoshi Ohta, Kenji Hashimoto
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Patent number: 8592910Abstract: A semiconductor body includes a protective structure. The protective structure (10) includes a first and a second region (11, 12) which have a first conductivity type and a third region (13) that has a second conductivity type. The second conductivity type is opposite the first conductivity type. The first and the second region (11, 12) are arranged spaced apart in the third region (13), so that a current flow from the first region (11) to the second region (12) is made possible for the limiting of a voltage difference between the first and the second region (11, 12). The protective structure includes an insulator (14) that is arranged on the semiconductor body (9) and an electrode (16) that is constructed with floating potential and is arranged on the insulator (14).Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: AMS AGInventor: Hubert Enichlmair
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Patent number: 8482072Abstract: A semiconductor die is described. This semiconductor die includes an electro-static discharge (ESD) device with a metal component coupled to an input-output (I/O) pad, and coupled to a ground voltage via a signal line. Moreover, adjacent edges of the metal component and the I/O pad are separated by a spacing that defines an ESD gap. When a field-emission or ionization current flows across the ESD gap, the metal component provides a discharge path to the ground voltage for transient ESD signals. Furthermore, the ESD gap is at least partially enclosed so that there is gas in the ESD gap.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Inventors: Robert J. Drost, Robert D. Hopkins, Alex Chow
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Patent number: 8384127Abstract: A structure is designed with an external terminal (100) and a reference terminal (102). A first transistor (106) is formed on a substrate. The first transistor has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the reference terminal. A second transistor (118) has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the substrate. A third transistor (120) has a current path coupled between the substrate and the reference terminal.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Robert Steinhoff, Jonathan S. Brodsky, Thomas A. Vrotsos
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Electrostatic discharge protection device comprising a plurality of highly doped areas within a well
Patent number: 8378422Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device and method for forming an ESD device. An embodiment is an ESD protection device comprising a p well disposed in a substrate, an n well disposed in the substrate, a high voltage n well (HVNW) disposed between the p well and the n well in the substrate, a source n+ region disposed in the p well, and a plurality of drain n+ regions disposed in the n well.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Ming-Song Sheu, Jian-Hsing Lee, Yao-Wu Feng -
Patent number: 8373267Abstract: A structure includes first and second silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) formed in a substrate. The first and the second SCRs each include at least one component commonly shared between the first and the second SCRs.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li, Ankit Srivastava
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Patent number: 8183593Abstract: A semiconductor die is described. This semiconductor die includes an electro-static discharge (ESD) device with a metal component coupled to an input-output (I/O) pad, and coupled to a ground voltage via a signal line. Moreover, adjacent edges of the metal component and the I/O pad are separated by a spacing that defines an ESD gap. When a field-emission or ionization current flows across the ESD gap, the metal component provides a discharge path to the ground voltage for transient ESD signals. Furthermore, the ESD gap is at least partially enclosed so that there is gas in the ESD gap.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Drost, Robert D. Hopkins, Alex Chow
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Patent number: 8178897Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an SCR ESD device region disposed within a semiconductor body, and a plurality of first device regions of the first conductivity type disposed on a second device region of the second conductivity type, where the second conductivity type is opposite the first conductivity type. Also included is a plurality of third device regions having a sub-region of the first conductivity type and a sub-region of the second conductivity type disposed on the second device region. The first regions and second regions are distributed such that the third regions are not directly adjacent to each other. A fourth device region of the first conductivity type adjacent to the second device region and a fifth device region of the second conductivity type disposed within the fourth device region are also included.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Krzysztof Domanski, Cornelius Christian Russ, Kai Esmark
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Patent number: 8039868Abstract: A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes first and second silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) formed in a substrate. Further, the first and the second SCRs each include at least one component commonly shared between the first and the second SCRs.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li, Aniket Srivastava
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Patent number: 7879699Abstract: A wafer includes a wafer frontside and a region adjacent to the device surface, wherein the region includes vacancy-oxygen complexes and the wafer frontside includes a predetermined surface structure to form thereon a device with a desired property.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Hans-Joachim Schulze, Hans-Joerg Timme, Helmut Strack
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Patent number: 7863708Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) includes a source electrode for receiving an externally-provided source voltage. The FET further includes an active region and a termination region surrounding the active region. A resistive element is coupled to the termination region, wherein upon occurrence of avalanche breakdown in the termination region an avalanche current starts to flow in the termination region, and the resistive element is configured to induce a portion of the avalanche current to flow through the termination region and a remaining portion of the avalanche current to flow through the active region. During operation, one end of the resistive element is biased to the source voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Hamza Yilmaz, Daniel Calafut
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Patent number: 7812367Abstract: In one embodiment, a two terminal multi-channel ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a plurality of P-N diodes.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventors: Ali Salih, Mingjiao Liu, Thomas Keena
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Patent number: 7804671Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit has a substrate; a first P-well installed on the substrate and having a first P+-doped region and a first N+-doped region, both of which are connected to ground; a second P-well installed on the substrate and having a second P+-doped region and a second N+-doped region, both of which are connected to a power supply voltage; and a third P-well installed on the substrate and having a third N+-doped region, a third P+-doped region, and a fourth N+-doped region, all of which are for input/output signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: VIA Technologies Inc.Inventors: Bob Cheng, Tony Ho, Bouryi Sze
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Patent number: 7800128Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an SCR ESD device region disposed within a semiconductor body, and a plurality of first device regions of the first conductivity type disposed on a second device region of the second conductivity type, where the second conductivity type is opposite the first conductivity type. Also included is a plurality of third device regions having a sub-region of the first conductivity type and a sub-region of the second conductivity type disposed on the second device region. The first regions and second regions are distributed such that the third regions are not directly adjacent to each other. A fourth device region of the first conductivity type adjacent to the second device region and a fifth device region of the second conductivity type disposed within the fourth device region are also included.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Krzysztof Domanski, Cornelius Christian Russ, Kai Esmark
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Patent number: 7791102Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for protecting semiconductor devices against electrostatic discharge events. An electrostatic discharge protection device comprises a silicon substrate, a P+-type anode region disposed within the silicon substrate, and an N-well device region disposed within the silicon substrate in series with the P+-type anode region. A first P-well device region is disposed within the silicon substrate in series with the first N-well device region and an N+-type cathode region is disposed within the silicon substrate. A gate electrode is disposed at least substantially overlying the first N-well and P-well device regions of the silicon substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Akram Salman, Stephen Beebe
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Patent number: 7638847Abstract: An ESD protection structure includes, in part, a NMOS transistor having a source and drain in a well in a substrate and a gate on the substrate with the source and drain being connected between ground and a series diode, and the gate being connected to ground. The structure further includes a diode having a cathode connected to the input pad and an anode connected to the well so that the diode is reverse-biased in the event of a positive voltage ESD event on the input pad. As a result, in a positive voltage ESD event, the avalanche effect rapidly injects current into the substrate and therefore into the base of the parasitic bipolar transistor so as to trigger the transistor into conduction and discharge the ESD pulse. Alternatively, the diode is a Zener diode and the current is generated by the Zener effect. A complementary structure provides protection against a negative ESD pulse.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: Hugh Sungki O, Chih-Ching Shih, Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Yow-Juang Bill Liu
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Patent number: 7601991Abstract: A complementary SCR-based structure enables a tunable holding voltage for robust and versatile ESD protection. The structureare n-channel high-holding-voltage low-voltage -trigger silicon controller rectifier (N-HHLVTSCR) device and p-channel high-holding-voltage low-voltage -trigger silicon controller rectifier (P-HHLVTSCR) device. The regions of the N-HHLVTSCR and P-HHLVTSCR devices are formed during normal processing steps in a CMOS or BICMOS process. The spacing and dimensions of the doped regions of N-HHLVTSCR and P-HHLVTSCR devices are used to produce the desired characteristics. The tunable HHLVTSCRs makes possible the use of this protection circuit in a broad range of ESD applications including protecting integrated circuits where the I/O signal swing can be either within the range of the bias of the internal circuit or below/above the range of the bias of the internal circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignees: Intersil Americas Inc., University of Central FloridaInventors: Javier A. Salcedo, Juin J. Liou, Joseph C. Bernier, Donald K. Whitney, Jr.
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Patent number: 7521773Abstract: A field effect transistor includes an active region and a termination region surrounding the active region. A resistive element is coupled to the termination region, wherein upon occurrence of avalanche breakdown in the termination region an avalanche current starts to flow in the termination region, and the resistive element is configured to induce a portion of the avalanche current to flow through the termination region and a remaining portion of the avalanche current to flow through the active region.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Hamza Yilmaz, Daniel Calafut
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Patent number: 7518164Abstract: A system for protecting a high-speed input/output pad of an integrated circuit. The system includes a preferably parasitic silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and a triggering mechanism that preferably includes an NMOS triggering FET. The SCR includes an anode connected to the input/output pad and a trigger input. The anode and the trigger input form a reverse-biased junction that, during normal operation of the integrated circuit, isolates the triggering mechanism from the input/output pad when power is applied to the integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Mellanox Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Yossi Smelloy, Ronen Eckhouse, Eyal Frost
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Patent number: 7511345Abstract: The present invention provides a MOS transistor device for providing ESD protection including at least one interleaved finger having a source, drain and gate region formed over a channel region disposed between the source and the drain regions. The transistor device further includes at least one isolation gate formed in at least one of the interleaved fingers. The device can further include a bulk connection coupled to at least one of the source, drain and gate regions via through at least one of diode, MOS, resistor, capacitor inductor, short, etc. The bulk connection is preferably isolated through the isolation gate.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignees: Sarnoff Corporation, Sarnoff EuropeInventors: Benjamin Van Camp, Gerd Vermont
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Publication number: 20080283868Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first layer having a first conductivity type, a second layer having a second conductivity type, a third layer having the second conductivity type, one or more first zones having the first conductivity type and located within the second layer, wherein each one of the one or more first zones is adjacent to the third layer, and one or more second zones having the second conductivity type and located within the second layer, wherein each one of the one or more second zones is adjacent to one or more of the one or more first zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Hans-Joachim Schulze, Hans-Peter Felsl
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Patent number: 7432555Abstract: A semiconductor die has a bonding pad for a MOSFET such as a power MOSFET and a separate bonding pad for ESD protection circuitry. Connecting the bonding pads together makes the ESD protection circuitry functional to protect the MOSFET. Before connecting the bonding pads together, the ESD protection circuitry and/or the MOSFET can be separately tested. A voltage higher than functioning ESD protection circuitry would permit can be used when testing the MOSFET. A packaging process such as wire bonding or attaching the die to a substrate in a flip-chip package can connect the bonding pads after testing.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignees: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc., Advanced Analogic Technologies (Hong Kong) LimitedInventors: Richard K. Williams, Michael E. Cornell, Wai Tien Chan
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Patent number: 7361957Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for electrostatic discharge protection (ESD).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Magnachip Semiconductor, Ltd.Inventors: Kil Ho Kim, Yong Icc Jung
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Patent number: 7355250Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) device with a parasitic silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) structure and controllable holding current is provided. A first distance is kept between a first N+ doped region and a first P+ doped region, and a second distance is kept between a second P+ doped region and a third N+ doped region. In addition, the holding current of the ESD device can be set to a specific value by modulating the first distance and the second distance. The holding current is in inverse proportion to the first distance and the second distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: System General Corp.Inventors: Chih-Feng Huang, Ta-yung Yang, Jenn-yu G. Lin, Tuo-Hsin Chien
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Patent number: 7329925Abstract: A device for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is disclosed. The device for electrostatic discharge protection includes a lateral bipolar transistor and a diode. The semiconductor transistor has an emitter, a base and a collector electrically connected to a first power line (such as Vdd), a second power line (such as Vss) and a bond pad of an integrated circuit respectively. The diode has an n electrode and a p electrode electrically connected to the first power line and the bond pad respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Winbond Electronics CorporationInventor: Jen-Chou Tseng
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Patent number: 7276778Abstract: A semiconductor system includes a self arc-extinguishing device, and an IGBT that works as a thyristor when a current between a first terminal and a second terminal connected to a second well electrode is small, and as a bipolar transistor when that current is large, and automatically switches between them according to the magnitude of the current. The IGBT is formed with a first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate. On a surface layer of the substrate is a second conductivity-type well region to which a first well electrode is connected. A first conductivity-type emitter region, to which an emitter electrode is connected, is disposed on a surface layer in the well region. A control electrode is disposed through an insulating film partially covering the well and emitter regions. A second conductivity-type well layer, to which the second well electrode is connected, is disposed on a back surface side of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koh Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 7274071Abstract: This invention provides an electrostatic damage protection device which can protects a device to be protected enough from an electrostatic damage and prevents damages of protection transistors themselves. A N-channel type first MOS transistor and a N-channel type second MOS transistor serving as protection transistors are connected in series between an output terminal and a ground potential. On the other hand, a P-channel type third MOS transistor and a P-channel type fourth MOS transistor serving as protection transistors are connected in series between a high power supply potential and the output terminal. These first, second, third, and fourth MOS transistors are formed of low withstand voltage MOS transistors.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryoichi Ando, Akira Uemoto, Toshio Kakiuchi
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Patent number: 7250660Abstract: Circuits are described that provide electrostatic discharge protection for I/O circuits that support the low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) and on-chip termination (OCT) standards. At least one additional transistor is connected across an I/O transistor. In the case of LVDS, a pair of stacked transistors is used in which the distance between the source/drain region and a well tap is considerably greater for the transistor connected to the I/O pad. A PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor may also be connected in series between a first node such as a power supply node and the I/O pad. An OCT circuit is also disclosed in which the spacing between the source/drain region and a well tap in the OCT transistor is smaller than that in the I/O transistor.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: Cheng-Hsiung Huang, Chih-Ching Shih, Jeffrey Tyhach, Guu Lin, Chiakang Sung, Stephanie T. Tran
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Patent number: 7235846Abstract: The present invention provides an ESD protection device or structure that exploits the high conductivity of a heavily doped heterojunction base of a standard SiGe bipolar junction transistor (BJT) cell. This improved ESD protection scheme further uses the combination of trench isolation and buried subcollector layer of the SiGe BJT to confine ESD current, minimizing parasitic substrate leakage and achieving large forward voltages while imposing minimal parasitic capacitive loads on a protected active device. Since the ESD protection structure is formed from conventional SiGe BJT transistor cells through modification of the contact metallization, it can be fabricated in an available SiGe BiCMOS fabrication process without additional processing steps, and characterization data already available for the SiGe BJTs can be used to model the performance of the ESD protection devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: WJ Communications, Inc.Inventor: Greg Fung
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Patent number: 7205612Abstract: A device and method are described for forming a grounded gate NMOS (GGNMOS) device used to provide protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) in an integrated circuit (IC). The device is achieved by adding n-wells below the source and drain regions. By tailoring the dopant concentration profiles of the p-well and n-wells provided in the fabrication process, peak dopant concentrations are moved below the silicon surface. This moves ESD conduction deeper into the IC where thermal conductivity is improved, thereby avoiding thermal damage occurring with surface conduction. The device does not require a salicidation block or additional implantation and uses standard NMOS fabrication processing steps, making it advantageous over prior art solutions.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.Inventors: Jun Cai, Keng Foo Lo
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Patent number: 7202114Abstract: A complementary SCR-based structure enables a tunable holding voltage for robust and versatile ESD protection. The structure are n-channel high-holding-voltage low-voltage-trigger silicon controller rectifier (N-HHLVTSCR) device and p-channel high-holding-voltage low-voltage-trigger silicon controller rectifier (P-HHLVTSCR) device. The regions of the N-HHLVTSCR and P-HHLVTSCR devices are formed during normal processing steps in a CMOS or BICMOS process. The spacing and dimensions of the doped regions of N-HHLVTSCR and P-HHLVTSCR devices are used to produce the desired characteristics. The tunable HHLVTSCRs makes possible the use of this protection circuit in a broad range of ESD applications including protecting integrated circuits where the I/O signal swing can be either within the range of the bias of the internal circuit or below/above the range of the bias of the internal circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignees: Intersil Americas Inc., The University of central FloridaInventors: Javier A. Salcedo, Juin J. Liou, Joseph C. Bernier, Donald K. Whitney, Jr.
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Patent number: 7196377Abstract: In a semiconductor device having an electrostatic discharge protection arrangement, a semiconductor substrate exhibits a first conductivity type. First and second impurity regions each exhibiting a second conductivity type are formed in the semiconductor substrate. A channel region is formed in the semiconductor substrate between the first and second impurity regions. A first conductive area is defined on the first impurity region in the vicinity of the channel region. A second conductive area is defined on the first impurity region so as to be supplied with an electrostatic discharge current. A third conductive area is defined on the first impurity region to establish an electrical connection between the first and second conductive area. At least one heat-radiation area is defined in the third conductive area so as to be at least partially isolated therefrom and thermally contacted with the first conductive area.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: NEC Electronics CorporationInventors: Noriyuki Kodama, Koichi Sawahata, Morihisa Hirata
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Patent number: 7161191Abstract: A vertical SCR-type switch including a control area having a first control region forming a first diode with a first neighboring region or layer, and a second control region forming a second diode with a second neighboring region or layer. A contact is formed on each of the first and second control regions and on each of the first and second neighboring regions or layers. The contacts are connected to terminals of application of an A.C. control voltage so that, when an A.C. voltage is applied, each of the two diodes is alternately conductive.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Samuel Menard, Christophe Mauriac
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Patent number: 7098509Abstract: In one embodiment, a concentric ring ESD structure includes a first p-type region and a second p-type region are formed in a layer of semiconductor material. The two p-type regions are coupled together with a floating n-type buried layer. The first and second p-type regions form a back-to-back diode structure with the floating n-type buried layer. A pair of shorted n-type and p-type contact regions is formed in each of the first and second regions. An isolation region is formed between the first and second p-type regions.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.Inventors: Peter J. Zdebel, Diann Michelle Dow
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Patent number: 7002218Abstract: An ESD-protection structure is located substantially under an integrated circuit bond pad. This ESD-protection structure is formed as a low capacitance structure by inserting a forward diode between the bond pad and the ESD clamp circuit. Placing the ESD-protection structure under the bond pad eliminates parasitic substrate capacitance and utilizes a parasitic PNP transistor formed from the inserted forward biased diode. The ESD-protection structure includes adjacent alternating P+ and N+ diffusions located substantially under a bond pad to be ESD protected. The P+ diffusions are connected to the bond pad metal with metal vias through an insulating layer. The N+ diffusions are adjacent to the P+ diffusions. An N+ diffusion surrounds the N+ and P+ diffusions, and ties together the N+ diffusions so as to form a continuous N+ diffusion completely around each of the P+ diffusions. An N? well is located substantially under the N+ and P+ diffusions.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Microchip Technology IncorporatedInventor: Randy L. Yach
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Patent number: 6987290Abstract: A current-jump-control circuit including an abrupt metal-insulator phase transition device is proposed, and includes a source, the abrupt metal-insulator phase transition device and a resistive element. The abrupt metal-insulator phase transition device includes first and second electrodes connected to the source, and shows an abrupt metal-insulator phase transition characteristic of a current jump when an electric field is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. The resistive element is connected between the source and the abrupt metal-insulator phase transition device to control a jump current flowing through the abrupt metal-insulator phase transition device. According to the above current control circuit, the abrupt metal-insulator phase transition device can be prevented from being failed due to a large amount of current and thus the current-jump-control circuit can be applied in various application fields.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Hyun Tak Kim, Doo Hyeb Youn, Kwang Yong Kang, Byung Gyu Chae, Yong Sik Lim, Seong Hyun Kim, Sungyul Maeng, Gyungock Kim