Patent ID: 8643112
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor device with an electrostatic discharge protection element having first and second semiconductor regions, which are formed within a substrate area electrically isolated by non-conductive regions extending into the substrate, that form a first pn junction, said device comprising: a first pad that conducts heat to an exterior of said semiconductor device; a first metal layer formed above the electrostatic discharge protection element; and a plurality of first contacts connecting the first semiconductor region and said first metal layer within the electrically isolated area; wherein said first metal layer and said first contacts are electrically connected to said first pad; said first metal layer has a first diffusion path whereby heat that has been conducted through at least one first contact among said plurality thereof is diffused from a connection to said at least one first contact in a first direction in which the first pn junction extends and in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein said first metal layer has at least one first wiring trace extending in the first direction within a first plane, and a plurality of second wiring traces that intersect said first wiring trace within the first plane and extend in the second direction within the first plane; and said first diffusion path forms part of a path that leads to said first pad.