Methods, circuits, and applications using a resistor and a Schottky diode

摘要

A combination of a current limiting resistor and a clamping Schottky diode prevent substantial forward biasing of a pn junction associated with a pad in a snapback device during normal operation, but do not substantially affect triggering of the device during an unbiased electrostatic discharge event. Minority carrier injection from n+ devices is substantially reduced, and the circuit may also be used to clamp an oxide voltage in a thin oxide semiconductor device.