Patent ID: 6757147
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: H01L,H02H

Abstract:
A cross-pin electro-static-discharge (ESD) protection device comprising:a first pad, connected to a first internal node, for connecting to an external device, the first pad receiving a positive ESD pulse during a pin-to-pin ESD test; a second pad, connected to a second internal node, for connecting to an external device, the second pad receiving an ESD ground during the pin-to-pin ESD test; an internal ground bus, connected to a ground pad but not connected to the first or second pad, wherein the internal ground bus is floating during the pin-to-pin ESD test; a first shunting transistor, coupled to shunt ESD current from the first internal node to the internal ground bus when the positive ESD pulse is applied to the first pad; a coupling capacitor, coupled between the first internal node and a cross-gate node, for charging the cross-gate node when the positive ESD pulse is applied to the first pad; and a first grounding transistor, being activated by the cross-gate node, for connecting the internal ground bus to the second internal node to dynamically apply the ESD ground to the internal ground bus during the pin-to-pin ESD test; whereby the internal ground bus is grounded to the second pad by the first grounding transistor, while ESD current from the first pad is shunted to the internal ground bus by the first shunting transistor.