Patent ID: 6703650
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor integrated circuit, comprising:a plurality of input/output cells including a high-potential power supply cell incorporating a high potential power supply terminal, and a low-potential power supply cell incorporating a low-potential power supply terminal; a lower wiring layer having a plurality of wires connected to the high-potential power supply terminal and the low-potential power supply terminal; an insulating interlayer defining at least one hole; at least one higher wiring layer formed over the lower wiring layer across the insulating interlayer, and electrically connected to the lower wiring layer via the at least one hole defined by the insulating interlayer; a protection diode having a cathode and an anode electrically connected to the high-potential power supply terminal and the low-potential power supply terminal, respectively, via at least the lower wiring layer; and an inner cell electrically connected to the low-potential power supply terminal via the lower wiring layer and the higher wiring layer, wherein current flows to the protection diode via a path comprising, in sequence, low-potential power supply terminalâ€”a first portion of the lower wiring layer located on the low-potential power supply cellâ€”a first portion of the higher wiring layer via a first hole in the insulating interlayerâ€”a second portion of the lower wiring layer via a second hole in the insulating interlayerâ€”protection diode.