Patent ID: 6570226
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor device for electrostatic discharge or overvoltage protection, said device comprising:a first region of a first conductivity type in a semiconducting substrate of a second conductivity type, at least a first and a second separated region of said second conductivity type being within said first region, said separated regions of said second conductivity type not abutting the substrate region of said second conductivity type; at least a first and a second separated region of said first conductivity type being within said substrate, said separated regions of said first conductivity type not abutting said first region; and a connection, said connection only being connected to said first separated region of said second conductivity type within said first region and to said first separated region of said first conductivity type within said substrate, said connection not being connected to an external voltage source, wherein one of said second separated regions is connected to an input and the other of said second separated regions is connected to a fixed voltage.