Patent ID: 6348724
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body provided at a surface with a protection against damage caused by electrostatic discharge, which semiconductor body includes an island-shaped n-type surface region adjoining said surface, wherein a vertical npn-transistor is formed comprising an emitter, a base and a collector, which emitter is connected to a node to which, during operation, a reference voltage, for example ground, is applied, and the collector is connected to a bonding surface, and a diode having a breakdown voltage which is lower than that of the base-collector transition being arranged between the collector and the base, characterized in that the emitter is provided with an emitter contact which is also connected to the base, and in that, between the npn-transistor, hereinafter referred to as first transistor, and the diode, a second vertical npn-transistor is formed whose base is connected to the base of the first transistor, and whose emitter is conductively connected to the base of the second transistor.