ESD protection circuit with GIDL current detection

US11804709B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NXP B.V. · NL

Inventors

• Marcin Grad · Bemmel, NL
• Chinmayee Kumari Panigrahi · Kanchinakote, IN
• Maciej Skrobacki · Heteren, NL

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 29, 2021
• Grant date: Oct 31, 2023
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

An ESD protection circuit that includes a clamp path including two clamp transistors and a GIDL detection circuit for detecting GIDL current conditions in the ESD protection circuit. The GIDL detection circuit generates a signal indicative of a GIDL current condition. The signal is utilized to control a voltage of a control electrode of a clamp transistor of the clamp path to increase the conductivity of the clamp transistor when the signal is indicative of a GIDL current condition to minimize a GIDL current through at least through a portion of the clamp path when the second clamp transistor is nonconductive where no ESD current is being discharged through the clamp path.