PMOS-based power-rail ESD clamp circuit with adjustable holding voltage controlled by ESD detection circuit

A new power-rail ESD clamp circuit designed with PMOS as main ESD clamp device has been proposed and verified in a 65 nm 1.2 V CMOS process. The new proposed design with adjustable holding voltage controlled by the ESD detection circuit has better immunity against mis-trigger or transient-induced latch-on event. The layout area and the standby leakage current of this new proposed design are much superior to that of traditional RC-based power-rail ESD clamp circuit with NMOS as main ESD clamp device.