Toshiba’s Newly Developed Fully Isolated N-channel LDMOS Realizes High HBM Robustness and High Breakdown Voltage to Negative Bias in 0.13-Micron Generation Analog Power Semiconductors

Toshiba (TOKYO:6502) has developed fully isolated N-channel LDMOS technology that overcomes the trade-off between breakdown voltage to negative bias (BVnb) and HBM robustness, a measure of resistance to electrostatic discharge (ESD). Details of this achievement were reported on June 1 at ISPSD 2017 (International Symposium on Power Semiconductor Devices and ICs 2017), an IEEE-sponsored international conference on power semiconductors, held in Japan.

Recent years have seen an increasing need for automotive analog ICs and Power ICs with fully isolated Nch-LDMOS and high BVnb, especially devices supporting voltages of 40V and over. Achieving a higher BVnb has until now required a trade-off with securing HBM robustness, and achieving both has required a bigger die, in order to electrically isolate substrates and the inside of the die. This has impeded progress in miniaturization and cost reduction. Furthermore, since HBM robustness is a parameter that is difficult to estimate without actually fabricating devices, a new parameter for estimating HBM robustness was strongly required.

In order to overcome the trade-off between HBM robustness and BVnb while minimizing die size, Toshiba conducted 2D TCAD simulations of numerous parameters and found that current flow concentration, which corresponds to the peak value of the electric field under the drain region (E_UD), depends on HBM robustness. As a result of utilizing E_UD to optimize die characteristics by adjusting various parameters, Toshiba successfully improved HBM robustness while achieving a rated voltage of 25 to 96V. This also realized a die size reduction of 46% for 80V fully isolated Nch-LDMOS products, satisfying HBM +/-4kV, a measure of HBM robustness.

Toshiba has produced prototypes of BiCD-0.13G3 process-based devices using the new technology and plans to start mass production in fiscal year 2018. The company is committed to contributing to the realization of lighter, more efficient automobiles and improving their performance by expanding the range of products offering fully isolated Nch-LDMOS.

*1 HBM (Human Body Model): a model for characterizing the susceptibility of electronic devices to ESD, based on ESD from the human body.

*2 Fully isolated N-channel LDMOS: A laterally diffused MOS transistor with a structure that reduces the electric field between the drain and gate by fully isolating them electrically.

*3 E_UD (Electrical field under Drain region): Electric field strength observed under the drain source.

*4 BiCD-0.13G3 process technology: One of Toshiba’s power semiconductor process technologies. Users can select the process that suits their application: BiCD-0.13G1/G2/G3, mainly for automotive devices; CD-0.13G3, mainly for motor control drivers; and CD-0.13G1/G2, mainly for power management IC.

About Toshiba

Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into three focus business fields: Energy that sustains everyday life, that is cleaner and safer; Infrastructure that sustains quality of life; and Storage that sustains the advanced information society. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations and is contributing to the realization of a world where generations to come can live better lives.

Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of 550 consolidated companies employing 188,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 5.6 trillion yen (US$50 billion). (As of March 31, 2016.)

To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

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Contact information

Toshiba Corporation
Storage & Electronic Devices Solutions Company
Koichi Tanaka, +81-3-3457-3576
Public Relations & Investor Relations Group
Business Planning Division
semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp