Category Archives: Low leakage

ESD protection solutions for space applications

Space applications require custom I/O and ESD protection solutions. Sofics proprietary ESD technology has been used for a number of aerospace projects. Our engineers delivered custom rad-hard ESD devices for TSMC 28nm, 65nm and 130nm CMOS technologies. The cells enable low power design in an extended temperature range. Different concepts are used to enable cold-spare interfaces. Low voltage triggered solutions are available for protection of thin oxide interface circuits.

Optimized IP for GF’s 22nm FDX technology

The 22nm FDX process from GlobalFoundries is a great technology for various applications including low-power IoT on the edge, high-bandwidth 5G mmWave devices and automotive products, Since its market introduction, the SOI process technology receives a lot of attention because it combines unique features in one platform.

Sofics supported a number of products on the 22FDX technology like low-leakage protection for IoT and Bluetooth applications.

ESD protection for Internet-of-Things (IoT)

What is the right ESD requirement for IoT applications? The internet of Things circuits are used in new environments. It is not possible to use the same reliability approaches for all the different applications. Sofics’ CEO Koen Verhaege presented an overview and different cases.

ESD protection solutions for space applications

We frequently get questions about the applicability of our ESD and I/O solution IP for space applications. Semiconductor devices that are used at high elevation or in space need special attention during the design phase. Sofics technology has been used for a number of aerospace projects. In this article we provide more background and some example cases.

Challenges for IC design in medical applications

Many medical/healthcare applications rely on semiconductor chips, certainly for the mobile and connected devices. Silicon chips enable a fast evolution and widespread use of new applications. However, integrated circuits (IC) used in medical applications require special attention for Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection.

Local ESD protection in analog IOs

The most common ESD protection for I/Os consist of two diodes. To cover all the different stress combinations a rail clamp is required. In this article we discuss another option. For many interfaces a local ESD protection clamp is actually a better option.

Adapting Diode triggered SCRs (part 2)

In this article, I wish to introduce you to how we can use diode triggered silicon controlled rectifiers (DTSCRs) for on-chip ESD protection. I will explain how its 3 main parameters – trigger voltage, holding voltage and failure current – can be tuned in order to protect ICs with very different characteristics.