Patent ID: 7525779

Claim:
A diode string, comprising: diode regions providing diodes, wherein each diode region includes: a first polarity region of a first conductivity type, wherein the first polarity region is positioned on a substrate and acts as a first electrode of a corresponding diode; and a second polarity region of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, wherein the second polarity region is positioned in the first polarity region and acts as a second electrode of the corresponding diode; wherein the diodes are connected in series to provide a major anode and a major cathode; a separation region of the second conductivity type isolating the diode regions from each other; and a bias resistor connected to the separation region and a first power line, wherein the diode string is configured such that, during normal operation, a voltage of the first power line is greater than a voltage present on the major anode.