Patent ID: 7750408
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: G06F,H01L

Abstract:
1. An integrated circuit structure comprising: a substrate; a first metal level above said substrate; a functional circuit in said substrate; a second metal level above and parallel to said first metal level; an inductor in said second metal level, wherein said inductor comprises a planar conductive coil having a first end at a center of said coil and wherein said coil comprises a metal wire with a predetermined minimum width capable of sustaining a specified electrostatic discharge current density without failure; a third metal level between and parallel to said first metal level and said second metal level, wherein said third metal level comprises a conductive shield positioned between said substrate and said inductor, wherein said conductive shield comprises an essentially planar sheet of conductive material larger in area than said inductor and further extending laterally beyond all sides of said inductor, wherein said conductive shield is electrically isolated from both said substrate and said inductor by dielectric material and wherein said conductive shield comprises a dielectric-filled opening aligned below said first end; and a conductor extending vertically through said dielectric-filled opening from said first end to one of said first metal level and said substrate such that said conductor is perpendicular to said inductor and does not contact said conductive shield and such that said inductor is electrically connected to said functional circuit and provides electrostatic discharge protection to said functional circuit.