ESD compact-simulation: investigation of inverter failure

Abstract. An ESD failure occurring inside the core circuitry known as “inverter failure" will be presented and analysed in this paper. The compact model utilised for this investigation is shortly presented. It will be shown that not only properties of the failed structure are relevant, but also surrounding circuitry. So the gate of an inverter will be connected during the simulations in diverse ways to VDD and VSS. The different possibilities of influence of pre drivers can be appraised in this way. In order to achieve a detailed understanding of the individual failure, it is necessary to include ambient circuitry as well as parasitics like resistors and capacitances.