Electrostatic discharge protection for integrated circuits

Details Electrostatic discharge protection for integrated circuits Electrostatic discharge protection for integrated circuits

1992-08-14

1993-08-24

Stephan, Steven L.

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Safety and protection of systems and devices

With specific voltage responsive fault sensor

361 56, H02H 904, H02H 322

Patent

active

052394409

ABSTRACT:
A circuit is disclosed for protecting an integrated circuit or another circuit from damage due to electrostatic discharge. The protection circuit includes a triggering circuit and a clamping circuit. In response to an electrostatic discharge, the triggering circuit turns on the clamping circuit to clamp a node of the protected circuit to both an upper and a lower potential. This allows the electrostatic discharge to dissipate harmlessly to either potential source, depending upon its polarity. Preferably, the triggering circuit consists of a resistor-capacitor network which generates the required control signal every time power is supplied to the circuit being protected, while the clamping circuit consists of a pair of transistors for connecting an input pin to both the high and low potential sources. Typically, one protection circuit is coupled to each input/output pin of the integrated circuit being protected.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4870530 (1989-09-01), Hurst
Q. Say, "Resistorless ESD Protection Device for High Speed CMOS Circuits," Proc. of the IEEE 1988 Custom Integrated Circuits Conf., May 1988, pp. 27.2.1-27.2.4.
L. R. Avery, "ESD and the Effects on Integrated Circuit Reliability," New Electronics, Incorporating Electronics Today (Apr. 1985) 18(8):151-153.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electrostatic discharge protection for integrated circuits does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electrostatic discharge protection for integrated circuits, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrostatic discharge protection for integrated circuits will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-833480