Low capacitance esd protection devices

Abstract

Examples of low capacitance bidirectional and unidirectional electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices for high voltage (e.g., 15 kV, 30 kV) applications are provided. Such devices include a circuit of a diode and a Zener diode coupled via their anodes to form an NPN structure and another, low capacitance diode coupled in series with the NPN structure. Such circuit may be configured on each of two dies, and the circuits coupled via wire bonds. Additional wire bonds may be used to respectively couple two pins of the device to the two circuits, or the pins may be coupled to the circuits via respective conductive die attaches. In a multichip module (MCM) topology, the NPN diode structure may be coupled to two low capacitance diodes on one die, and that circuit may be coupled to a third low capacitance diode disposed on another die. Some arrangements employ an insulator in conjunction with a single die. Some arrangements enable FlipChip fabrication technology.