Electrostatic discharges (ESDs) are everywhere-in our homes and businesses. Even the manufacturers of the electronics experience ESD failures in their factories. Electronic devices are sensitive to ESD. ESD results in failure of our computers, calculators, and car phones. There are ways to protect these sensitive components. This paper looks at ESD protection from a two-pronged approach: reducing the likelihood of having an ESD event and improving the robustness of the devices themselves. The first approach focuses on reducing the amount of charge that is developed and controlling the redistribution of any charges that are developed The second approach reviews ways to improve the circuit robustness by improving individual circuit elements and by adding additional elements for charge flow control and voltage clamping.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is an event that sends current through an integrated circuit (IC). This paper reviews the impact of ESD on the IC industry and details the four stages of an ESD event: (1) charge generation, (2) charge transfer, (3) device response, and (4) device failure. Topics reviewed are charge generation mechanisms, models for ESD charge transfer, electrical conduction mechanisms, and device damage mechanisms leading to circuit failure.