ESD Circuit Simulation Problem

[bobxing]

Hi!

An ESD circuit must withstand 2kV of ESD using the human body model and 500V using the charged device model without damage.
I wonder How can I simulate the ESD circuit to see if it works? Can Hspice simulation work?

Thanks

 

[scottieman]

Hi!

An ESD circuit must withstand 2kV of ESD using the human body model and 500V using the charged device model without damage.
I wonder How can I simulate the ESD circuit to see if it works? Can Hspice simulation work?

Thanks

Since ESD is used to clamp the voltage at any pin of your circuit below certain value, I guess you can still run a simulation using the well know HBM or Machine Model to see will the node voltage of your circuit be larger than the breakdown voltage specified by the fab. house. If yes, how long will this "over breakdown voltage" stress on your circuit.

Howover, this simulation can just give you a idea how your ESD circuit work only. Still, you need to do experiments to check how well is your ESD circuit.

Also, ESD heavily depedns on your layout, pls pay attention on it.

Hope it helps
Scottie