Patent attributes
High voltage drain-extended metal-oxide-semiconductor (DEMOS) bipolar switches for electrical overstress protection are provided. In certain configurations herein, an electrical overstress switch embodiment for providing electrical overstress protection, such as electrostatic discharge/electrical overstress (ESD/EOS) protection includes both a DEMOS device and an embedded bipolar device. The switch is implemented to achieve the advantages provided by the combined conduction of DEMOS and bipolar devices. For example, the DEMOS device provides surface conduction at the gate region for relatively fast switch device turn on and low voltage overshoot, while the bipolar device provides high current conduction during stress condition and a high holding voltage characteristics to prevent latch-up in mission critical integrated circuit applications.
