Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure and a circuit using the same

US7402846B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Atmel Corporation · US

Inventors

• Stefan Schwantes · Heilbronn, DE
• Michael Graf · Leutenbach, DE
• Volker Dudek · Ditzingen, DE
• Gayle W. Miller · Colorado Springs, US
• Irwin Rathbun · Colorado Springs, US
• Peter Grombach · Heilbronn, DE
• Manfred Klaussner · Heilbronn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 20, 2005
• Grant date: Jul 22, 2008
• Expiry date: Feb 16, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D62/127

Abstract

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure is disclosed. The ESD protection structure includes an active device. The active device includes a plurality of drains. Each of the drains has a contact row and at least one body contact row. The at least one body contact row is located on the active device in a manner to reduce the amount of voltage required for triggering the ESD protection structure.