Series TVS Circuit With Parallel Resistor for ESD Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ESD protection devices face challenges in meeting increasingly stringent electrical specifications, cost constraints, and development timelines, leading to potential damage from overvoltage events such as short circuits and increased leakage currents in integrated circuits.
Innovation Solution
A transient voltage suppressor (TVS) circuit is designed with a semiconductor substrate containing a first and second TVS device electrically connected in series, along with a resistor that is electrically connected in parallel to at least one of the TVS devices, allowing for improved protection and reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single TVS device is used for ESD protection, then the circuit structure is simple, but the protection performance against increasingly stringent electrical specifications is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single TVS protection function into multiple TVS devices connected in series. This segmentation allows each individual TVS device to operate at a lower voltage level while collectively providing protection against higher voltage ESD events, thereby improving protection performance without requiring a single complex high-voltage device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple TVS devices in series connection to achieve enhanced protection performance. By merging multiple components with individual breakdown voltages into a series configuration, the total breakdown voltage increases, providing protection against higher voltage ESD events while maintaining reasonable device complexity
2Reliability
If multiple TVS devices are connected in series to improve protection, then the breakdown voltage increases, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing a single high-voltage TVS device which would be complex and costly, the patent segments the protection function into multiple standard-voltage TVS devices connected in series. This approach allows using standardized, cost-effective components while achieving the required total breakdown voltage through series multiplication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter distribution by connecting multiple TVS devices in series, where each device operates at a fraction of the total required breakdown voltage. This parameter transformation allows using multiple lower-voltage, more cost-effective devices instead of a single high-voltage device
3Reliability
If a parallel resistor is added to the TVS circuit, then the ESD protection capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a parallel resistor as an intermediary element that works in conjunction with the series-connected TVS devices. This resistor provides an alternative current path during ESD events, enhancing protection capability by dissipating energy while the TVS devices clamp the voltage, thereby improving reliability with a relatively simple additional component
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The TVS circuit provides enhanced ESD protection by acting as a voltage clamping device, reducing the risk of damage from overvoltage events while also offering cost-effective packaging and improved performance in terms of capacitance and harmonics.
Implementation Method 1
TVS circuits are known in the art and typically used for protecting integrated circuits, e.g. semiconductor chips, from damage caused by an overvoltage imposed on the integrated circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A transient voltage suppressor (TVS) circuit is described. The TVS circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a first TVS device and a second TVS device electrically connected in series. The TVS circuit further includes a resistor. The resistor and at least one of the first TVS device and the second TVS device are electrically connected in parallel. A method of manufacturing the TVS circuit is also described.