Patent ID: 7030461
Filing Date: 2006-04-18
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor device for protecting electrical circuits from Electrostatic Discharge pulses, said device comprising: a bulk region of a given doping type, a first region of a doping type, opposite the doping type of said bulk region, said first region being in physical contact with said bulk region, said first region being connected to a first terminal to which an ESD pulse can be applied, a second region of the same doping type as said bulk region, said second region being in physical contact with said bulk region, said second region being connected to a second terminal to which a reference voltage (Vss) can be applied, characterized in that said device further comprises a third region, which is equally in physical contact with said bulk region, and which is positioned in between said first and second region, said third region being of the same doping type as said first region but being lower doped than said first region, and wherein said third region is floating with respect to said second terminal, said third region being used for increasing the resistance (Rsub) of a current path, through said bulk region, between said first and second region.