Novel and robust silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) based devices for on-chip ESD protection

Silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) are frequently used to build on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) structures, but SCRs are not sufficiently robust to meet a wide range of ESD requirements in various integrated circuits. In this paper, a novel and robust SCR-based device called the HHLVTSCR is presented. It is demonstrated that the HHLVTSCR can exhibit various characteristics useful for ESD solutions by the adjustment of the channel types (N or P type), terminal connections, or lateral dimensions in the HHLVTSCR. Examples are also included to illustrate how HHVLTSCRs can be used to provide ESD protection in two different IC applications.