Reliability

What is provided at an LSI's I/O pins as a countermeasure against ESD (electrostatic discharge)?

  1. ALight-emitting diodes
  2. BCooling fans
  3. CESD protection circuits (such as protection diodes)
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Answer: C. ESD protection circuits (such as protection diodes)

If static electricity charged on a person or equipment discharges into an LSI pin, thin gate oxides and other structures may be destroyed. I/O pins therefore have ESD protection circuits made of protection diodes and the like, which divert the discharge current to the power supply or ground. On the factory floor, static control such as wrist straps is also used.

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