Robust ESD Protection Solutions in CMOS/BiCMOS Technologies

Robust and novel devices called High Holding, Low-Voltage-Trigger Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (HH-LVTSCRs) for Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection of integrated circuits (ICs) are designed, fabricated and characterized. The S-type current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the HH-LVTSCRs are adjustable to different operating conditions by changing the device dimensions and terminal interconnections. Experimental results demonstrate that HH-LVTSCRs with a multiple-finger layout render high levels of ESD protection per unit area, applicable in the design of ICs with stringent ESD protection requirements of over 15 kV IEC.