ESD Simulators Research Articles

Development and Experiment of ESD Simulator Console

This paper put forwards the overall design idea and scheme for ESD simulator console, which conducts analysis on the two key technologies of motion control system, i.e. control motor and programmable control. In this paper, test comparison regarding the experiment of repeatability of air discharge current wave form of ESD simulator has been conducted. The results indicated that repeatability of air discharge current wave forms has been improved to some extent.

Gate oxide failures due to anomalous stress from HBM ESD testers

An unexpected and serious effect from the ESD HBM tester causing gate oxide failure in input buffers is reported in this paper. The most significant finding is that this unwarranted stress comes from the tester relay and gives rise to false HBM evaluation. In this paper we investigate this new effect on gate oxide reliability and establish the safe control limits for proper output of the state-of-the-art ESD simulator waveforms.

Real HBM and MM waveform parameters

Recent “real” human body model and machine model discharge waveform measurements provide completely new data on the risetime and peak current threats to devices. Additional investigations were performed to determine the impact of humidity and electric field effects on the discharge event. Given the new information, redesign of ESD simulators and development of test standards representing real-world ESD threats are essential.

Determination of characteristics of the discharge current by the human charge model ESD simulator

This paper aims at improved reproducibility of the electrostatic discharge current in the electrostatic tester that simulates the electrostatic discharge from the charged human body. The variation of the electrostatic discharge current due to changed testing conditions, including the position relation, is analyzed. The derivation method, where the components of the electrostatic tester, such as the discharge gun and the ground wire, are replaced by electrical parameters, is combined with the method of circuit analysis by simulation. The characteristics of the electrostatic tester are analyzed, and the following situations are revealed. Even though the inductance of the ground wire varies greatly with the testing condition, the main discharge current satisfies the rated value. The initial current is generated depending on the switch structure of the tester, and is caused by the stray capacitance around the discharge current limiting resistor. The proposed circuit model exactly represents those characteristics of the electrostatic tester. By combining the proposed circuit model into the EDA (electronic circuit design automation) system, the circuit designer can simulate the electrostatic discharge at the design stage. This makes it easy for the designer to interpret the characteristics in the electrostatic testing, and can reduce the trial-and-error effort. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 80(10): 49–57, 1997

Determination of characteristics of the discharge current by the human charge model ESD simulator

This paper aims at improved reproducibility of the electrostatic discharge current in the electrostatic tester that simulates the electrostatic discharge from the charged human body. The variation of the electrostatic discharge current due to changed testing conditions, including the position relation, is analyzed. The derivation method, where the components of the electrostatic tester, such as the discharge gun and the ground wire, are replaced by electrical parameters, is combined with the method of circuit analysis by simulation. The characteristics of the electrostatic tester are analyzed, and the following situations are revealed. Even though the inductance of the ground wire varies greatly with the testing condition, the main discharge current satisfies the rated value. The initial current is generated depending on the switch structure of the tester, and is caused by the stray capacitance around the discharge current limiting resistor. The proposed circuit model exactly represents those characteristics of the electrostatic tester. By combining the proposed circuit model into the EDA (electronic circuit design automation) system, the circuit designer can simulate the electrostatic discharge at the design stage. This makes it easy for the designer to interpret the characteristics in the electrostatic testing, and can reduce the trial-and-error effort. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 80(10): 49–57, 1997

ESD: transient fields, arc simulation and rise time limit

ESD is simulated by the combination of arc resistance laws and a method of moment algorithm. Simulated results are backed up by quantitative near-field measurement on model structures, real equipment and IEC 1000-4-2 ESD simulators. It is shown that the arc resistance law by Rompe and Weizel and an electron avalanche model can be applied in ESD simulations. Other arc resistance laws fail. Disturbances by ESD are dominated by the arc length, not directly by voltage. Arc length is controlled by voltage, speed of approach and time lag. For approaching objects ultimately field emission initiates sparking if the breakdown has not been initiated earlier by other processes. The onset of field emission can be calculated by evaluation of the Fowler-Nordheim equation. Using the resulting minimal arc length and an arc model a lower rise time limit of approx. 20 ps can be calculated.