A scalable Verilog-A modeling method for ESD protection devices

A novel and practical modeling method is presented for ESD protection devices, using behavior language Verilog-A. This method is simulator-independent, easy-to-implement, and extendable to different types of ESD protection devices. The triggering voltage, holding voltage, and turn-on resistance of ESD devices are scalable with device dimensions so that the models are suitable for predictive ESD simulations. This method has been validated by the good silicon correlation between the models of zener-triggered bipolar devices and NMOS devices and transmission line pulsing measurement. These models are suitable for circuit level ESD simulations without encountering convergence problems.