Apparatus and method for protecting electronic circuits

• Main Authors: CASEY DAVID, SALCEDO JAVIER A, MCCORKELL GRAHAM
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.02.2013
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

Apparatuses and methods for electronic circuit protection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a well having an emitter and a collector region. The well has a doping of a first type, and the emitter and collector regions have a doping of a second type. The emitter region, well, and collector region are configured to operate as an emitter, base, and collector for a first transistor, respectively. The collector region is spaced away from the emitter region to define a spacing. A first spacer and a second spacer are positioned adjacent the well between the emitter and the collector. A conductive plate is positioned adjacent the well and between the first spacer and the second spacer, and a doping adjacent the first spacer, the second spacer, and the plate consists essentially of the first type.