The changes in the electrical characteristics of CMOS ICs due to coupling with a narrow-band electromagnetic wave were analyzed in this study. A magnetron (3 kW, 2.45 GHz) was used as the narrow-band electromagnetic source. The DUT was a CMOS logic IC and the gate output was in the ON state. The malfunction of the ICs was confirmed by monitoring the variation of the gate output voltage. It was observed that malfunction (self-reset) and destruction of the ICs occurred as the electric field increased. To confirm the variation of electrical characteristics of the ICs due to the narrow-band electromagnetic wave, the pin-to-pin resistances (Vcc-GND, Vcc-Input1, Input1-GND) and input capacitance of the ICs were measured. The pin-to-pin resistances and input capacitance of the ICs before exposure to the narrow-band electromagnetic waves were 8.57 MΩ (Vcc-GND), 14.14 MΩ (Vcc-Input1), 18.24 MΩ (Input1-GND), and 5 pF (input capacitance). The ICs exposed to narrow-band electromagnetic waves showed mostly similar values, but some error values were observed, such as 2.5 Ω, 50 MΩ, or 71 pF. This is attributed to the breakdown of the pn junction when latch-up in CMOS occurred. In order to confirm surface damage of the ICs, the epoxy molding compound was removed and then studied with an optical microscope. In general, there was severe deterioration in the PCB trace. It is considered that the current density of the trace increased due to the electromagnetic wave, resulting in the deterioration of the trace. The results of this study can be applied as basic data for the analysis of the effect of narrow-band high-power electromagnetic waves on ICs.
