Patent ID: 8441031
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An ESD protection device comprising: a plurality of contiguous semiconductor regions of alternating conductivity type including first and second regions that form a first P-N junction therebetween, a third region that forms a P-N junction with the second region, a fourth region that forms a P-N junction with the third region and a fifth region that forms a P-N junction with the fourth region; a first contact connected to the first region; a second contact connected to the fifth region; a resistor connected between the third region and the fifth region; the resistor and the first, second, third and fifth regions forming a first current path configured to flow current between the first and second contacts via the first and fifth regions in response to a voltage at the exceeding a breakdown threshold of a first transistor formed by the first, second and third regions; and the first, second, third, fourth and fifth regions forming a second current path configured to flow current between the first and second contacts via the first and fifth regions in response to the current across the resistor exceeding a threshold at which the voltage across a second transistor formed by the third, fourth and fifth regions reaches a breakdown voltage of the second transistor.