The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 19, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 26, 2002
Applicant:
Inventors:
William Thies, Bristol, GB;
Nicolas Froidevaux, Aix en Provence, FR;
Assignee:
STMicroelectronics Limited, Bristol, GB;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 5/06 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 5/06 ;
Abstract
A method produces a semiconductor circuit with an area saving in comparison to conventional circuit layouts. IO cells are arranged with a width multiplied by a factor, but with corresponding reduced height. ESD protection circuitry is included at a reduced rate in comparison to usual arrangements. The space saving is achieved by occupying a semiconductor area that would have been used by ESD circuitry with the IO circuitry. ESD protection is maintained but at different locations.