Patent ID: 6060752
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit comprisinga signal input terminal for delivering an input signal to a second circuit to be protected by said ESD protection circuit;a power supply terminal;first and second diodes connected in series between said signal input terminal and said power supply terminal, said first and second diodes being connected with their respective forward current flow directions opposed;a third diode connected between said signal input terminal and ground; anda fourth diode connected between said power supply terminal and ground, wherein said first and second diodes comprise a layer of polysilicon, said layer of polysilicon comprising a first region of a first conductivity type, a second region of a second conductivity type, and a third region of said first conductivity type, said second region forming a PN junction with each of said first and third regions.