Patent ID: 6713841
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
In combination with an integrated circuit, an electro-static discharge guard structure for protecting the integrated circuit, the guard structure comprising:a terminal pad and an electrically conductive connection connecting said terminal pad to the integrated circuit; a terminal connected to a reference potential; a guard element having a load path connected between said terminal pad and said terminal, said guard element having a control terminal; and a lateral Positive-Isolating-Negative (PIN) trigger diode having a low breakdown voltage, said trigger diode for switching said guard element through when the breakdown voltage is exceeded, said trigger diode configured between said control terminal of said guard element and said terminal pad; a gate electrode having a length and a width; said trigger diode including an anode zone and a cathode zone, said anode zone containing a dopant of a first conductivity type, and said cathode zone containing a dopant of a second conductivity type; said anode zone and said cathode zone being aligned with respect to said gate electrode; and said anode zone and said cathode zone being spaced apart a distance corresponding to a dimension selected from the group consisting of said width of said gate electrode and said length of said gate electrode.