Semiconductor device having active device cells and a monitor ce

Details Semiconductor device having active device cells and a monitor ce Semiconductor device having active device cells and a monitor ce

1994-05-13

1995-08-15

Limanek, Robert P.

Active solid-state devices (e.g., transistors, solid-state diode

Field effect device

Having insulated electrode

257401, 257341, 257139, H01L 2978

Patent

active

054422167

ABSTRACT:
A semiconductor body (2) has a first region (3) providing a current path to a first main electrode (4) and carrying a plurality of active device cells (5). The majority (5a) of the active device cells are connected to a second main electrode (6) for providing a main current path through the device between the first and second main electrodes (4 and 6). At least one remaining active device cell forms a monitor cell (5b) and is connected to a monitor electrode (7) for providing a monitor current path through the device between the first main electrode (4) and the monitor electrode (7). The one monitor cell (5b) is formed differently from the majority (5a) of the active device cells so as to be more susceptible to failure than the majority of the active device cells so providing an early warning of the imminent failure of the device enabling evasive action to be taken to inhibit failure of the entire device.

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