Patent ID: 7573102
Filing Date: 2009-08-11
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection method for an integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of: connecting an ESD protection device between a pad and a ground of the integrated circuit; arrangingconnecting a substrate-triggering control circuit including an active device connected between the pad and a substrate of the integrated circuit, whereby the active device is off during a normal operation of the integrated circuit, so a potential of the substrate stays at a low level, thereby keeping the ESD protection device off during the normal operation; turning the active device off during a normal operation for keeping the substrate at a low voltage; and turning the active device on during an ESD event for pumping the substrate to a high voltage; upon the occurrence of an ESD event of the integrated circuit, turning on the active device, thereby increasing the potential of the substrate to a high level; and when the potential of the substrate reaches the high level, releasing electrostatic charge of the integrated circuit by turning on the ESD protection device.