Patent ID: 6556399
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor device having a plurality of contact points, comprising:a current diverting apparatus, further comprising: a first ESD event circuit comprising: a first plurality of ESD protection devices coupled to said plurality of contact points, and a first ESD stack coupled to said first plurality of ESD protection devices, the first ESD stack including a first number of additional series-coupled ESD protection devices, the first number being greater than one; and a second ESD event circuit comprising: a second plurality of ESD protection devices coupled to said plurality of contact points, and a second ESD stack coupled to said second plurality of ESD protection devices, the second ESD stack including a second number of additional series-coupled ESD protection devices; wherein said first ESD stack is configured to divert current to a positive potential and second ESD stack is configured to divert current to a single non-positive potential.