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US 10,250,029 B2Granted
Device overvoltage detector
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsAndrea Carletti, Gerold Schrittesser, Albino Pidutti
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A semiconductor device, overvoltage detection structure is described that includes a current path including a Zener diode connected in series with a fuse. The Zener diode is configured to conduct a current in response to an overvoltage condition at a semiconductor device and the fuse is configured to permanently break the current path of the overvoltage detection structure in response to the Zener diode conducting the current.
Claims20
A semiconductor component comprising:
- a device;
- and
- an overvoltage detection structure that includes a current path comprising a Zener diode connected in series with a fuse,
- wherein the Zener diode is configured to conduct a current in response to an overvoltage condition at the device,
- wherein the fuse is configured to break the current path of the overvoltage detection structure in response to the Zener diode conducting the current,
- wherein the device and the Zener diode are formed on a same semiconductor die and each comprise a terminal, and
- wherein the fuse is external to the semiconductor die and comprises a wire that is connected to the terminal of the Zener diode and electrically couples the terminal of the Zener diode to the terminal of the device.
4 more elements
A semiconductor die comprising:
- a device;
- and
- at least a portion of an overvoltage detection structure that includes a current path comprising a Zener diode connected in series with a fuse,
- wherein the Zener diode is configured to conduct a current in response to an overvoltage condition at the device,
- wherein the fuse is configured to break the current path of the overvoltage detection structure in response to the Zener diode conducting the current,
- wherein the device and the Zener diode are formed on the semiconductor die and each comprise a terminal, and
- wherein the fuse is external to the semiconductor die and comprises a wire that is connected to the terminal of the Zener diode and electrically couples the terminal of the Zener diode to the terminal of the device.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- responsive to an overvoltage condition at a device, conducting, by a Zener diode of an overvoltage detection structure, a current through a current path formed by a series connection between a fuse and the Zener diode of the overvoltage detection structure;
- and
- responsive to conducting the current through the current path, breaking, by the fuse of the overvoltage detection structure, the current path,
- wherein the Zener diode is formed on a semiconductor die that includes the device, and
- wherein the fuse is external to the semiconductor die that includes the device and the fuse comprises a wire that electrically couples a terminal of the Zener diode to a terminal of the device.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.