Patent Abstract:
System and method for protecting an integrated circuit. The system includes a first transistor coupled to a first voltage and a second voltage, a second transistor coupled to the gate of the first transistor and the first voltage, a third transistor coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the first voltage, and a capacitor coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the second voltage. The first voltage is provided to the integrated circuit, the gate of the third transistor is configured to receive a first control signal, the gate of the second transistor is configured to receive a second control signal, and the second control signal is capable of turning off the second transistor a time period after the third transistor is turned off.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. ______ (EastIP Ref. No. 05NI2753-1365-SMY), filed Jun. 20, 2005, entitled “System and Method of Electrostatic Discharge Protection for Signals at Various Voltages,” by Inventors Zhiliang Chen, Shifeng Zhao, Lieyi Fang, Zhen Zhu, and Jun Ye, commonly assigned, incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.  
       STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention is directed to integrated circuits. More particularly, the invention provides a system and method for electrostatic discharge protection. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to signals at various voltages. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability.  
         [0005]     For signals at various voltages, excessive electrostatic discharges (ESD) can cause failure of an integrated circuit. Therefore a robust on-chip ESD protection circuit is often required to protect the internal semiconductor circuitry. For example, the ESD protection circuit includes a triggering mechanism. When a pin voltage falls outside certain operating conditions, the triggering element enables the ESD protection circuit to conduct most of the ESD current. On the other hand, under normal operation conditions, the triggering mechanism should often ensure the ESD protection circuit remains in an off state.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a simplified conventional system for ESD protection. A system  100  includes an NMOS transistor  110 , a capacitor  120 , and a resistor  130 . The NMOS transistor  110  is a large transistor and coupled to both pads  140  and  150 . The capacitor  120  is connected to the pad  140 , and the resistor  130  is connected to the pad  150 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pad  140  provides a signal to an internal circuit, which is protected by the system  100 . The pad  150  is biased to a ground voltage level of V ss . The capacitor  120  and the resistor  130  can provide a triggering mechanism. For example, the gate of the transistor  110  is grounded through the resistor  130  during normal operation. The NMOS transistor usually remains in an off state. During an ESD event, the voltage level at the pad  140  changes quickly with time. Therefore, the gate of the transistor  110  is AC-coupled through the capacitor  120  up to above the threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor  110 . The NMOS transistor  110  is thus turned on to conduct the ESD current. The system  100  has certain weaknesses in high-voltage applications. For example, the NMOS transistor  110  can be turned on by high voltage transient signal at the pad  140  even during normal operation. The system  100  may thus interfere with the normal operation of the internal circuit.  
         [0007]     Hence it is highly desirable to improve techniques for ESD protection.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention is directed to integrated circuits. More particularly, the invention provides a system and method for electrostatic discharge protection. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to signals at various voltages. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability.  
         [0009]     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for protecting an integrated circuit is provided. The system includes a first transistor coupled to a first voltage and a second voltage, a second transistor coupled to the gate of the first transistor and the first voltage, a third transistor coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the first voltage, and a capacitor coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the second voltage. The first voltage is provided to the integrated circuit, the gate of the third transistor is configured to receive a first control signal, the gate of the second transistor is configured to receive a second control signal, and the second control signal is capable of turning off the second transistor a time period after the third transistor is turned off.  
         [0010]     According to another embodiment, a method for protecting an integrated circuit includes providing a system for protecting the integrated circuit. The system includes a first transistor coupled to a voltage, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a capacitor. Additionally, the method includes turning on the first transistor, receiving a first control signal by the third transistor, turning off the third transistor in response to the first control signal, and receiving a second control signal by the second transistor a time period after the third transistor being turned off. Moreover, the method includes turning off the second transistor in response to the second control signal, and turning off the first transistor in response to the second transistor being turned off. The voltage is provided to the integrated circuit, and the first transistor is in an on state within the time period.  
         [0011]     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for protecting an integrated circuit includes a first transistor coupled to a first voltage and a second voltage, and a second transistor including an emitter, a base, and a collector. Additionally, the system includes a resistor coupled to the base, and a first diode including an anode and a cathode and coupled to the second voltage and the resistor. The first voltage is provided to the integrated circuit, the anode is connected to the second voltage, and the cathode is connected to the resistor.  
         [0012]     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for protecting an integrated circuit includes a first transistor coupled to a first voltage and a second voltage, and a second transistor including an emitter, a base, and a collector. Additionally, the system includes a first diode including an anode and a cathode and coupled to the base and the resistor, and a resistor coupled to the second voltage. The first voltage is provided to the integrated circuit, the cathode is connected to the base and the anode is connected to the resistor.  
         [0013]     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for protecting an integrated circuit includes providing a system for protecting the integrated circuit. The system includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a diode, and a resistor. Additionally, the method includes receiving a voltage by the first transistor and the second transistor, causing a breakdown of the diode, turning on the second transistor in response to the breakdown of the diode, and turning on the first transistor in response to the second transistor being turned on. The voltage is provided to the integrated circuit. For example, the integrated circuit is protected from any damage due to excessive electrostatic discharges.  
         [0014]     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for protecting an integrated circuit includes a first transistor coupled to a first voltage and a second voltage, a second transistor coupled to the gate of the first transistor and the first voltage, a third transistor coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the first voltage, and a first capacitor coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the second voltage. Additionally, the system includes a fourth transistor coupled to a third voltage and the second voltage, a fifth transistor including an emitter, a base, and a collector, and a first diode coupled directly or indirectly to the second voltage and the fifth transistor. Moreover, the system includes a second diode coupled to the base and the first voltage, and a clamping device coupled to the gate of the fourth transistor and the second voltage. The first voltage is provided to the integrated circuit, the third voltage is provided to the integrated circuit. The gate of the third transistor is configured to receive a first control signal, and the gate of the second transistor is configured to receive a second control signal.  
         [0015]     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for protecting an integrated circuit includes providing a system for protecting the integrated circuit. The system includes a first transistor coupled to a first voltage, a second transistor, a third transistor, a capacitor, a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, a first diode, and a second diode. Additionally, the method includes turning on the first transistor, receiving a first control signal by the third transistor, and turning off the third transistor in response to the first control signal. Moreover, the method includes receiving a second control signal by the second transistor a time period after the third transistor being turned off, turning off the second transistor in response to the second control signal, and turning off the first transistor in response to the second transistor being turned off. Moreover, the method includes receiving the second voltage by the fourth transistor and the fifth transistor, causing a breakdown of the first diode, turning on the fifth transistor in response to the breakdown of the first diode, and turning on the fourth transistor in response to the fifth transistor being turned on. Also, the method includes turning on the second diode if the second voltage is larger than the first voltage by a first predetermined value. The first voltage is provided to the integrated circuit, and the second voltage is provided to the integrated circuit.  
         [0016]     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for protecting an integrated circuit includes a transistor coupled to a first voltage and a second voltage, a Zener diode including an anode and a cathode and coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the first voltage, and a resistor coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the second voltage. The first voltage is provided to the integrated circuit, the anode is connected to the gate, and the cathode is connected to the first voltage.  
         [0017]     Many benefits are achieved by way of the present invention over conventional techniques. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide effective triggering schemes, which can improve ESD protections. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide different triggering schemes based on pin voltage ratings and applications. Some embodiments of the present invention provide an ESD protection system that does not cause any noticeable difference during normal operation.  
         [0018]     Various additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the detailed description and the accompanying drawings that follow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a simplified conventional system for ESD protection;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a simplified system for electrostatic discharge protection according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a simplified system for electrostatic discharge protection according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a simplified system for electrostatic discharge protection according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     The present invention is directed to integrated circuits. More particularly, the invention provides a system and method for electrostatic discharge protection. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to signals at various voltages. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  is often not suitable for high voltage applications. For example, the normal voltage at the pad  140  can be up to 40 volts or higher. Hence the rate of voltage change can be large under normal conditions, and can turn on the NMOS transistor  110  to interfere with the internal circuit.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a simplified system for electrostatic discharge protection according to an embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. A system  200  includes a transistor  210 , a resistor  220 , transistors  230  and  240 , and a capacitor  250 . Although the above has been shown using a selected group of components for the system  200 , there can be many alternatives, modifications, and variations. For example, some of the components may be expanded and/or combined. Other components may be inserted to those noted above. Depending upon the embodiment, the arrangement of components may be interchanged with others replaced. Further details of these components are found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.  
         [0026]     The transistor  210  is an NMOS transistor and coupled to both pads  260  and  262 . For example, the NMOS transistor is a high-voltage transistor. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pad  260  provides a signal to another system, which is protected by the system  200 . For example, the protected system includes an integrated circuit. In another example, the pad  260  is biased to a high voltage level of V dd , which serves as a power supply to the protected system. In one embodiment, a high voltage level of V dd  is equal to or lower than 40 volts under normal operation of the protected system. Additionally, the pad  262  is biased to a voltage level of V ss . For example, the voltage level of V ss  is equal to 0 volt under normal operation of the protected system. The resistor  220  and the capacitor  250  both are connected to the pad  262 .  
         [0027]     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the transistors  230  and  240  each are a PMOS transistor, whose source is coupled to the pad  260 . For example, the PMOS transistor is a high-voltage transistor. In another embodiment, the protected system provides a control signal  270  to the gate of the transistor  240 , and a control signal  272  to the gate of the transistor  230 . For example, the control signal  270  is at a logic high level after the protected system starts powering up, and at a logic low level before the protected system starts powering up. In another example, the control signal  270  is a power-on-reset (POR) signal. Additionally, the control signal  272  is set to a logic high level after a delay period from the time when the control signal  270  changes from the logic low level to the logic high level. For example, the delay period is about several microseconds. In another example, the delay period is shorter than 10 μs. In yet another example, the protected system includes an inverter  274 , which outputs the control signal  272 .  
         [0028]     According to another embodiment, the transistor  210  serves as a protection device for conducting the ESD current. The resistor  220 , the transistors  230  and  240 , and the capacitor  250  can provide for a triggering mechanism. For example, during normal operation of the protected system, the control signals  270  and  272  each are at a logic high level. The control signal  270  turns off the transistor  240 , and the control signal  272  turns off the transistor  230 . The gate of the transistor  210  is thus grounded through the resistor  220 , and the transistor  210  is turned off. The system  200  is in an off state during normal operation of the protected system.  
         [0029]     In another example, the voltage level at the pad  260  increases to a threshold voltage at which the control signal  270  changes from a logic low level to a logic high level. Before the threshold voltage is reached, the gate of the transistor  240  is biased to the logic low level, and the transistor  240  is turned on. In response, the gate of the transistor  230  is pulled high through the transistor  240 . The transistor  230  is turned off, and the gate of the transistor  210  is grounded through the resistor  220 . The transistor  210  is turned off. When the voltage level at the pad  260  reaches the threshold voltage, the control signal  270  changes from a logic low level to a logic high level. The transistor  240  is turned off.  
         [0030]     As discussed above, the control signal  272  is set to a logic high level after a delay period from the time when the control signal  270  changes from the logic low level to the logic high level. Within the delay period, the gate of the transistor  230  is DC floating. For example, the system  200  includes a parasitic capacitor  280 , which includes parasitic capacitors between the gate of the transistor  230  and the pad  260 . In another example, the voltage level at the pad  260  keeps rising during an ESD event. The source voltage of the transistor  230  also increases but the gate voltage of the transistor  230  increases slowly due to a small ratio of the parasitic capacitor  280  to the capacitor  250 . For example, in response to excessive electrostatic discharges, the gate voltage of the transistor  230  is substantially AC grounded. Accordingly, the transistor  230  is turned on in response to excessive electrostatic discharges. When the transistor  230  is turned on, the transistor  210  is also turned on. The transistor  210  serves as a protection device for conducting the ESD current.  
         [0031]     After the delay period, the control signal  272  is set to a logic high level. The control signal  270  turns off the transistor  240 , and the control signal  272  turns off the transistor  230 . The gate of the transistor  210  is thus grounded through the resistor  220 , and the transistor  210  is turned off. The system  200  is in an off state during normal operation of the protected system.  
         [0032]     As discussed above and further emphasized here,  FIG. 2  is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, the pad  260  is biased to a voltage other than the power supply V dd . In another example, the delay period is adjusted to cover the duration of an ESD event. For some embodiments, the duration of an ESD event is about a couple of hundred nanoseconds, so the delay period of several microseconds is sufficient.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a simplified system for electrostatic discharge protection according to another embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. A system  300  includes a transistor  310 , a resistor  320 , a transistor  330 , a resistor  340 , and a diode  350 . Although the above has been shown using a selected group of components for the system  300 , there can be many alternatives, modifications, and variations. For example, some of the components may be expanded and/or combined. Other components may be inserted to those noted above. Depending upon the embodiment, the arrangement of components may be interchanged with others replaced. Further details of these components are found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, the transistor  310  is a NMOS transistor. For example, the NMOS transistor is a low voltage transistor. Additionally, the transistor  330  is a bipolar transistor. For example, the bipolar transistor is a PNP transistor. In another exampe, the transistor  330  includes a base region inside an N well, and an emitter region and a collector region formed by P +  diffusion regions in the N well. Moreover, the diode  350  is Zener diode. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the gate of the transistor  310  is connected to the resistor  320  and the collector of the transistor  330 . The base of the transistor  330  is connected to the diode  350  through the resistor  340 . The emitter of the transistor  330  is connected to a pad  360 , which is also coupled to the drain of the transistor  310 . For example, the pad  360  provides a signal to another system, which is protected by the system  300 . In one embodiment, the protected system includes an integrated circuit. In another example, the voltage at the pad  360  ranges from 0 volt to 5 volts under normal operation of the protected system. Additionally, the source of the transistor  310  and the resistor  320  both are connected to a pad  362 , and the pad  362  is biased to a ground voltage level of V ss .  
         [0035]     During normal operation, the Zener diode  350  does not breakdown. The gate of the transistor  310  is hence grounded through the resistor  320 , and the transistor  310  is turned off. Therefore, the system  300  is in an off state under normal operation of the protected system. During an ESD event, the voltage level for the pad  360  increases up to or above the sum of the Zener breakdown voltage and the voltage drop between the base and the emitter of the transistor  330 . In response, the Zener diode breaks down. The diode current biases the base of the transistor  330  and turns on the transistor  330 . Accordingly, the collector current of the transistor  330  raises the gate voltage of the transistor  310  through the resistor  320 . The transistor  310  is turned on for conducting the ESD current.  
         [0036]     For example, the Zener diode  350  has a breakdown voltage ranging from 5.5 volts to 6 volts, and the normal voltage level for the pad  360  ranges from 0 to 5 volts. In one embodiment, the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode  350  is equal to about 5.8 volts. During an ESD event, the voltage level for the pad  360  increases up to or above the sum of 5.8 volts and 0.7 volts, which is equal to about 6.5 volts. In response, the Zener diode  350  breaks down. In another example, the resistor  340  is used to limit the current flowing through the Zener diode  350 . Without the resistor  340 , a high current may cause the failure of the Zener diode  350 . In one embodiment, the resistor  340  is placed between the based of the transistor  330  and the cathode of the Zener diode  350  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In another embodiment, the resistor  340  is placed between the anode of the Zener diode  350  and the pad  362 .  
         [0037]     As discussed above and further emphasized here,  FIG. 3  is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, additional Zener diodes are added in series with the Zener diode  350 . With additional Zener diodes, the triggering voltage for ESD protection is adjusted. In one embodiment, the Zener diode has a breakdown voltage of about 5.8 volts, and the normal voltage level for the pad  360  is higher than 5 volts. With the additional Zener diodes, the ESD protection is turned off during normal operation.  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a simplified system for electrostatic discharge protection according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. A system  400  includes the transistor  210 , the resistor  220 , the transistors  230  and  240 , the capacitor  250 , the transistor  310 , the resistor  320 , the transistor  330 , the resistor  340 , the diode  350 , a diode  410 , and a claming device  420 . Although the above has been shown using a selected group of components for the system  400 , there can be many alternatives, modifications, and variations. For example, some of the components may be expanded and/or combined. Other components may be inserted to those noted above. Depending upon the embodiment, the arrangement of components may be interchanged with others replaced. Further details of these components are found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the transistor  210  is coupled to both pads  430  and  432 . The pad  430  provides a signal to another system, which is protected by the system  400 . For example, the protected system includes an integrated circuit. In another example, the pad  430  is biased to a high voltage level of V dd , which serves as a power supply to the protected system. In another example, the pad  432  is biased to a voltage level of V ss . Additionally, the resistor  220  and the capacitor  250  both are connected to the pad  432 , and the transistors  230  and  240  are coupled to the pad  430 . Moreover, the protected system provides a control signal  270  to the gate of the transistor  240 , and a control signal  272  to the gate of the transistor  230 . For example, the protected system includes the inverter  274 , which outputs the control signal  272 .  
         [0040]     The gate of the transistor  310  is connected to the resistor  320  and the collector of the transistor  330 . The base of the transistor  330  is connected to the diode  350  through the resistor  340 . The emitter of the transistor  330  is connected to a pad  434 , which is also coupled to the drain of the transistor  310 . Additionally, the source of the transistor  310  and the resistor  320  both are connected to the pad  432 . Moreover, the diode  410  is coupled between the base of the diode  330  and the pad  430 . For example, the diode  410  is a high voltage diode. In another example, the diode  410  includes an N well and a P well. The clamping device  420  is coupled between the gate of the transistor  310  and the pad  432 . For example, the clamping device  420  includes PN junction diodes, NMOS diodes, and/or Zener diodes in series.  
         [0041]     The pads  430  and  434  each provide a signal to the system protected by the system  400 . For example, the pad  430  is biased to a high voltage level of V dd , which serves as a power supply to the protected system. In another example, the pad  434  is biased to a voltage ranging from 0 volt to 5 volts under normal operation of the protected system. In yet another example, the pad  432  is biased to a voltage level of V ss . In one embodiment, the voltage level of V ss  is equal to 0 volt under normal operation of the protected system.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the diode  410  is used to ensure that the voltage at the pad  434  does not exceed the voltage at the pad  430  by a predetermined amount. For example, if a positive ESD strike occurs between the pads  434  and  430 , the ESD current can be conducted through the emitter-base junction of the transistor  330  and the diode  410 . Additionally, there are two parasitic diodes  440  and  442 , which are body diodes for the transistors  310  and  210  respectively. The diode  440  is used to ensure that the voltage at the pad  432  does not exceed the voltage at the pad  434  by a predetermined amount, and the diode  442  is used to ensure that the voltage at the pad  432  does not exceed the voltage at the pad  430  by a predetermined amount. For example, the parasitic diode  440  or  442  can conduct the ESD current if a negative ESD strike occurs between the pad  434  or  430  and the pad  432  respectively.  
         [0043]     Additionally, the clamping device  420  is used to limit the gate voltage of the transistor  310  to a predetermined value. For example, the predetermined value is higher than the threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor  310 . In another example, the clamping device  420  can protect the transistor  310  from being damaged during an ESD event.  
         [0044]     As discussed above and further emphasized here,  FIG. 4  is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, the pads  430  and  434  each provide a signal to the protected system. In one embodiment, the pad  430  is biased to a voltage other than the high voltage level of V dd , and/or the pad  432  is biased to a voltage other than one between 0 volt and 5 volts. In yet another embodiment, the pad  432  is biased to a voltage other than the ground voltage level of V ss .  
         [0045]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the capacitor  120  is replaced by a Zener diode in  FIG. 1 . The anode of the Zener diode is coupled to the gate of the transistor  110 , and the cathode of the Zener diode is coupled to the pad  140 . In yet another embodiment, additional Zener diodes are added in series with the Zener diode. Using additional Zener diodes, the triggering voltage for ESD protection is adjusted. In yet another embodiment, the protected system includes an integrated circuit.  
         [0046]     The present invention has various advantages. Some embodiments of the present invention provide effective triggering schemes, which can improve ESD protections. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide different triggering schemes based on pin voltage ratings and applications. Some embodiments of the present invention provide an ESD protection system that does not cause any noticeable difference during normal operation.  
         [0047]     Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that there are other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7