Methods, circuits, and applications using a resistor and a Schottky diode
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An integrated circuit for protecting an electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) device, comprising:
- a resistor sharing a common support surface with the ESD device; and
a Schottky diode connected in series with the resistor and sharing a common support surface with the ESD device to prevent forward biasing of a pn junction of the ESD device.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A combination of a current limiting resistor and a clamping Schottky diode prevent substantial forward biasing of a pn junction associated with a pad in a snapback device during normal operation, but do not substantially affect triggering of the device during an unbiased electrostatic discharge event. Minority carrier injection from n+ devices is substantially reduced, and the circuit may also be used to clamp an oxide voltage in a thin oxide semiconductor device.
33 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit for protecting an electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) device, comprising:
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a resistor sharing a common support surface with the ESD device; and a Schottky diode connected in series with the resistor and sharing a common support surface with the ESD device to prevent forward biasing of a pn junction of the ESD device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electrostatic discharge protection device, comprising:
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a snapback device having a parasitic bipolar transistor; and a protection circuit for the snapback device, wherein the protection circuit comprises; a resistor; and a Schottky diode, the resistor and the Schottky diode connected in series across a base emitter junction of the parasitic bipolar transistor. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. An electrostatic discharge protection device, comprising:
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a snapback device having a parasitic bipolar transistor; and protection circuit for the snapback device, wherein the protection circuit is connected across the base to emitter junction of the snapback device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A processing system, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor to store data provided by the processor and to provide data to the processor, the memory comprising; an array of memory cells addressable by address circuitry and input output circuitry; and an electrostatic discharge protection device for the input output circuitry, the ESD protection device comprising; an ESD protective transistor; and an ESD protection circuit to prevent forward biasing of a pn junction of the ESD transistor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A processing system, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor to store data provided by the processor and to provide data to the processor, the memory comprising; an array of memory cells addressable by address circuitry;
input/output circuitry to receive data from the processor and to pass the data to the array; andan electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device connected to the input/output circuitry, the ESD device comprising; an ESD protective transistor; and an ESD protection circuit to prevent forward biasing of a pn junction of the ESD transistor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of preventing substantial forward bias of a snapback transistor junction in a snapback device, comprising:
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clamping the forward bias using a clamping circuit; and limiting a current through the clamping circuit, wherein clamping the forward bias comprises connecting a Schottky diode across a base to emitter junction of the snapback device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 25, 26)
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24. A method of clamping an oxide voltage in a thin oxide device, comprising:
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connecting a first Schottky diode clamp circuit across the oxide of the thin oxide device; and limiting a first current through the clamp circuit using a first resistor connected in series with the Schottky diode. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for protecting an electrostatic discharge device during an undershoot event, comprising:
suppressing minority carrier injection with a circuit, wherein suppressing minority carrier injection comprises connecting a Schottky diode and a resistor in series across a pn junction on the device.
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31. A method of substantially preventing forward bias of a base emitter junction of a bipolar transistor in a snapback device, comprising:
connecting a Schottky diode and a resistor in series across the junction.
Specification