Efficient ESD Verification For 2.5/3D Automotive ICs

Evaluate ESD protection for interconnect robustness to ensure adequate handling of an event.

By Dina Medhat, Siemens EDA
SemiEngineering (December 9th, 2024)

Protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) events is an extremely important aspect of integrated circuit (IC) design and verification, particularly for 2.5/3D designs targeted for automotive systems. ESD events cause severe damage to ICs due to a sudden and unexpected flow of electrical current between two electrically charged objects. This current may be caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown.

No matter the cause, all ESD events can cause a metal melt, junction breakdown, or oxide failure. ESD can damage an electronic component at any stage of its production or real world use if not properly prevented. ESD events can cause ICs to fail prematurely, or to operate at less than designed functionality, neither of which is good for market reputation.

What about 2.5D/3D ICs?

2.5D/3D ICs have evolved to enable innovative solutions for many design and integration challenges. As shown in figure 1, 2.5D ICs often have multiple dies placed side-by-side on a passive silicon interposer. The interposer is placed on a ball grid array (BGA) organic substrate. Micro-bumps attach each die to the interposer, and flip-chip (C4) bumps attach the interposer to the BGA substrate. In 3D ICs, dies are mounted on top of each other. Connections made between stacked dies and the substrate implemented using through-silicon vias (TSVs).

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