Patent ID: 6163065
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An integrated circuit, comprising:a substrate having at least two adjacent corners, wherein each corner includes two sides;at least one dielectric layer and a terminal metal layer, each layer formed upon the substrate to include a die active area; anda guard ring formed out of the terminal metal layer so as to enclose the die active area, the guard ring having a zig-zag shaped portion at each side of each corner, wherein each zig-zag shaped portion includes at least two teeth coupled to one another, wherein each tooth is defined by a second line segment disposed between a first line segment and a third line segment, wherein each line segment has a length, and wherein a continuous straight portion couples two adjacent zig-zag shaped portions, the continuous straight portion having a length that is different than the length of each line segment of at least one zig-zag shaped portion.