Circuit technique to deal with floating body effects

US6466082B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. · US

Inventor

• Srinath Krishnan · Campbell, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 17, 2000
• Grant date: Oct 15, 2002
• Expiry date: May 17, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D86/201

Abstract

A charge limiting system is provided that maintains the charge level of a body for a multiple MOSFET device structure. The multiple MOSFET device include a number of bodies linked to one another or a single body, such as a well, being employed for all devices. The single body or bodies are provided with at least one contact that extends to another layer, so that the body can be coupled to the charge limiting system. The charge limiting system includes a charge detector system that monitors the charge level on the body or bodies and a switching system for coupling the body or bodies to a fixed potential, if the charge level of the body or bodies reaches an unacceptable level. The switching system couples the body or bodies to ground for an npn type transistor and to VDD for pnp type transistors. The charge limiting system can include a timing device, so that the body can be coupled to the fixed potential for a predetermined period of time even after the charge level of the body or bodies falls below the threshold value. This ensures that the charge level on the body is sufficiently discharged.