Bidirectional electrostatic discharge detector
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorsJames E. Davis, Kenneth W. Marr, Wei Chang Wong, Tsung Che Tsai, Souvick Mitra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for bidirectional electrostatic discharge detectors are described. An example apparatus includes a fuse coupled between a bidirectional electrostatic discharge (ESD) element and a wire bond of a semiconductor package. The fuse is configured to receive an ESD current generated between the wire bond and a material external to the semiconductor package, as well as blow in response to the ESD current exceeding a threshold current magnitude. The apparatus further includes a detector coupled to the bidirectional ESD element, wherein the detector is configured to determine a state of the fuse.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a fuse coupled between a bidirectional electrostatic discharge (ESD) element and a wire bond of a semiconductor package, wherein the fuse is configured to receive an ESD discharge current generated between the wire bond and a material external to the semiconductor package, wherein the fuse is configured to blow in response to the ESD discharge current exceeding a threshold current magnitude;
- and
- a detector coupled to the bidirectional ESD element, wherein the detector is configured to determine a state of the fuse.
A semiconductor package, comprising:
- a plurality of input/output (I/O) pads each coupled to a respective memory device;
- a plurality of dummy pads;
- a plurality of first electrostatic discharge (ESD) detection circuits, wherein each first ESD detection circuit is coupled to a respective I/O pad of the plurality of I/O pads;
- and
- a plurality of second ESD detection circuits, wherein each second ESD detection circuit is coupled to a respective dummy pad of the plurality of dummy pads and configured to detect an ESD event associated with the respective dummy pad and a material external to the respective dummy pad.
A method, comprising:
- routing, by electrostatic discharge (ESD) detection circuitry, a current through a fuse;
- determining, by fuse detection circuitry, a state of the fuse;
- refraining, by the ESD detection circuitry, from routing the current to an input/output (I/O) line in response to determining, by the fuse detection circuitry, that the fuse is in a blown state;
- and
- routing, by the ESD detection circuitry, the current to the I/O line in response to determining, by the fuse detection circuitry, that the fuse is in an intact state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.