Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Load shunting by fault responsive means
Reexamination Certificate
2005-03-29
2005-03-29
Jackson, Stephen W. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Load shunting by fault responsive means
C361S058000, C361S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06873506
ABSTRACT:
The invention comprises a system and method for providing electrostatic discharge protection. In one embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit (10) comprising at least one input element (20) is protected by a protective circuit (40). The protective circuit (40) is operable to protect the integrated circuit (10) from damage due to electrostatic discharge and may be coupled to the input element (20). The protective circuit (40) comprises a lateral NPN transistor (T1) coupled to the input element (20) and operable to activate when the input element voltage exceeds threshold, the threshold greater than or equal to the ordinary operating voltage of circuitry coupled to the input element (20). The protective circuit (40) also may comprise a lateral PNP transistor (T2) coupled to the input element (20) and to the lateral NPN transistor (T1). The lateral PNP transistor (T2) is operable to aid in raising a potential of the base of the lateral NPN transistor (T1). Alternatively, the protective circuit (40) also may use a PMOS transistor (P1), or a PMOS transistor (P1) in combination with the lateral NPN transistor (T1), coupled to the input element (20) and to the lateral NPN transistor (T1). The PMOS transistor (P1) is operable to aid in raising the potential of the base of the lateral NPN transistor (T1).
REFERENCES:
patent: 4939619 (1990-07-01), Borkowicz et al.
patent: 5012317 (1991-04-01), Rountre
patent: 5465189 (1995-11-01), Polgreen et al.
patent: 6327126 (2001-12-01), Miller et al.
Amerasekera Ajith E.
Chen Zhiliang Julian
Vrotsos Thomas A.
Brady III Wade James
Jackson Stephen W.
Telecky , Jr. Frederick J.
Texas Instruments Incorporated
Tung Yingsheng
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