RE: non-monotonicity

It would be nice if the world was perfect.

After measuring 1000's of I/O pins I can say with much certainty that not
all clamp "diodes" behave monotonically in the "forward bias region".
 Typical of this behavior are ground protection devices that show abrupt
increases in current when swept from a negative voltage to ground.

Tom Dagostino
Mentor Graphics
Zeelan Model Libraries

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoffrey Ellis [SMTP:geoff@cadence.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 1998 3:52 PM
To: fzanella@emc.com
Cc: ibis@vhdl.org
Subject: RE: non-monotonicity

A clamp curve characterizes a clamp diode. This curve should be absolutely
monotonic in forward bias region. In the reverse bias (nano-amp leakage)
region, the curve might not be monotonic. Pullup and pulldown curves are
not always monotonic.

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* Geoffrey Ellis *
* Cadence Design Systems phone: 831-685-6559 *
* 9057 Soquel Drive fax: 831-685-6556 *
* Aptos, CA 95003 E-mail: geoff@cadence.com *
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Received on Fri Aug 7 10:06:37 1998