IP Library Granted Patent US 8,283,727
Granted Patent B1
US 8,283,727 · App. 12/636,596 · Granted Oct 9, 2012

Circuit with electrostatic discharge protection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,283,727
App. No.
12/636,596
Filed
Dec 11, 2009
Granted
Oct 9, 2012
Kind
B1
Art Unit
2892
USPC
257/355
Abstract

A circuit with electrostatic discharge protection is described. In one case, the circuit includes trigger device configured to protect a component connected to a node of the circuit during an electrostatic discharge event, the trigger device includes an isolation structure interposed between a gate oxide layer and an extended drain region. A portion of the extended drain region proximate the isolation structure is substantially metal-free.

Claims (23)

1. A circuit, comprising:

a trigger device configured to protect a component connected to a node of the circuit during an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event, the trigger device comprising an isolation structure interposed between a gate oxide and an extended drain region, wherein a portion of the extended drain region proximate the isolation structure is substantially metal-free.

2. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the extended drain region is connected to the node.

3. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the portion comprises approximately one-half of the extended drain region.

4. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the portion comprises an entirety of the extended drain region.

5. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the node comprises a node to be protected and the component is connected between the node to be protected and ground.

6. The circuit of claim 5 , wherein the trigger device further comprises a gate formed over the gate oxide and wherein the ground is connected in series to a resistor that is connected to the gate.

7. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the extended drain region proximate the isolation structure is substantially metal-free to a degree that metal protrusion does not occur from the portion toward the isolation structure during the ESD event.

8. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the trigger device maintains a generally consistent trigger voltage over a plurality of ESD events.

9. A circuit, comprising:

a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and a trigger device formed upon a substrate and configured to collectively protect a circuit component from damage during an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event, wherein at least a portion of the SCR is formed upon a deep N-well formed in the substrate and wherein the trigger device includes an isolation structure interposed between a gate oxide layer and an extended drain region, wherein a portion of the extended drain region proximate the isolation structure is substantially metal-free.

10. The circuit of claim 9 , wherein an entirety of the extended drain region is substantially metal-free.

11. The circuit of claim 9 , wherein the SCR includes a first terminal that is isolated from the deep N-well by an N-well.

12. The circuit of claim 11 , wherein the SCR includes a second terminal and a collection region, and wherein both the second terminal and the collection region are disposed in an isolated P-well.

13. The circuit of claim 9 , wherein an entirety of the SCR is formed upon the deep N-well.

14. A circuit, comprising:

a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) having a first terminal disposed in an N-well and second terminal disposed in a P-well, the first terminal connected to a node to be protected and the second terminal connected to ground;

a trigger device disposed between the first and second terminals and configured to be activated at a trigger voltage, the trigger device including a gate and a gate oxide, an extended drain region and a first isolation structure positioned between the gate and the extended drain region and a second isolation structure positioned between the extended drain region and the first terminal, wherein a first portion of the gate overlays the gate oxide and a second portion of the gate overlays and contacts the first isolation structure to at least partially define the trigger voltage.

15. The circuit of claim 14 , wherein the extended drain region is substantially metal-free.

16. The circuit of claim 14 , wherein the extended drain region is configured to immobilize associated metals from migrating during an ESD event.

17. The circuit of claim 14 , wherein the extended drain region is electrically connected to the node to be protected.

18. The circuit of claim 14 , wherein the N-well and the P-well are formed in a deep N-well.

19. The circuit of claim 14 , wherein the N-well is formed in a deep N-well that terminates at the gate oxide.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 8647899 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 035240 FRAME 0429. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTERST. Recorded Nov 3, 2020
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058002/0470 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2016
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: MONTEREY RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 040911/0238 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 11, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 039708/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2015
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 035240/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2009
From: WALKER, ANDREW; PUCHNER, HELMUT; DHANRAJ, SAI; JANG, KEVIN
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023657/0025 →