ESD: Physics, Devices and Circuits (SE127-35-0)

SynopsisDevice and system failure due to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) stresses is one of the perennial problems plaguing the electronic industry, resulting in cancelled products that never make it to the market, loss of yield due to poor ESD control on the production line, and customer-returned products that fail out in the field. These all add up to one thing: increased costs – cost of development, cost of manufacturing, and cost of maintaining customer satisfaction. A proper understanding of the ESD phenomenon, how it affects and causes semiconductor devices to fail, and how to protect against that in product design is essential to be able to generate products that are able to withstand the kinds of ESD exposure they will be subject to during their lifetime.

This course will cover the aspects of ESD competency that are necessary to be able to tackle and avoid these problems early on, at the design and development stage. Topics covered include the physics of ESD at the device and semiconductor process level, impact of future semiconductor technologies, the design and analysis of protection circuits, and CAD tools for ESD.

Course Highlight
You will learn the follow topics in details: Electrostatic Discharge Device Physics Latchup Physics Semiconductor Process and ESD Physics Future Semiconductor Devices ESD Circuits and Design I/O Networks and ESD ESD Design - Case Studies, and Diagnosis Techniques ESD Design Tools

What previous participants say about this course

• The knowledge depth of the instructor "Knowledgable instructor and good overall experience sharing" - 5 Mar 07
• "The instructor is really an expert in his field with thorough analysis coupled with in depth practical considerations on real life situations" - 5 Mar 07
• "The approach on the subject is simple thus easy to understand" - 5 Mar 07
• "ESD protection from physics and circuit design point of view, this enable me to understand more on the ESD event/failure. Part of Dr Steven work inspired me on the "ESD testing and characterization" - 5 Mar 07
• "The link that brings out between physics, layout and schematic design. All are related to one and another" - 29 Jul 10
• "The knowledge/material taught is very relevant to my job scope The material is practical" - 29 Jul 10
• "The instructor shares his experience in real ESD problems in ESD" - 12 Apr 11
• "Very experienced and knowledgeable trainer. Give us a good insight on what is the current trend in the industry" - 14 Oct 11

What You Will Learn

• Electrostatic Discharge Device Physics
• Latchup Physics
• Semiconductor Process and ESD Physics
• Future Semiconductor Devices
• ESD Circuits and Design
• I/O Networks and ESD
• ESD Design - Case Studies, and Diagnosis Techniques
• ESD Design Tools

Who Should AttendTechnicians, engineers, circuit designers, ESD engineers, and managers involved in design, testing or reliability of analog, RF or Mixed Signal Semiconductors / circuits including:

• Design engineers
• Process engineers
• Test engineers
• Yield analysis engineers
• Product engineers
• FA engineers
• Reliability engineering
• Application engineering

PrerequisiteParticipants should have a basic background and understanding of semiconductor technologies, device physics and some circuit design basics. Previous familiarity will be advantageous in maximizing the impact of the course on the participant. Nonetheless, these concepts will be quickly reviewed as needed.

Course MethodologyThis course is presented in an interactive classroom style utilizing lecture, open discussion, and examples.

Course Duration2 days, 9am - 5pm

Course Structure1) Electrostatic Discharge Device Physics

• ESD Electrothermal Models
• ESD Testing and Qualification
• ESD Failure Criteria
• Electro-thermal Physics
• Electrostatic Discharge Failure Models
• Semiconductor Devices and ESD Models

2) Latchup Physics

• Basic Theory
• Characterization and Design
• Process Solutions

3) Semiconductor Process and ESD Physics

• Substrates and ESD
• Well Design and ESD
• Junctions
• Salicide and ESD
• Dielectrics and ESD
• Aluminum, and Copper Interconnects

4) Future Semiconductor Devices

• Silicon On Insulator
• Silicon Germanium
• Silicon Germanium Carbon
• Gallium Arsenide
• Future Devices, FinFETS, Nanotubes and the future

5) ESD Circuits and Design

• Chip Architecture and Synthesis
• Input Node HBM Circuits
• Input Node CDM Circuits
• ESD Power Rail Circuits
• ESD CMOS-based ESD Networks
• ESD BiCMOS-based ESD Networks

6) I/O Networks and ESD

• CMOS Receivers
• CMOS Off-Chip Drivers
• CMS ESD Sensitive Networks
• BiCMOS Receivers
• BiCMOS Off-Chip Drivers
• RF Circuits

7) ESD Design - Case Studies, and Diagnosis Techniques

• Design Methods
• Analysis Methods
• Failure De-bugging Methods
• Testing Methods
• Building ESD Robust Circuits and Systems

8) ESD Design Tools

• Electro-thermal Circuit Design
• Electro-thermal Device Design
• ESD CAD Design