Methods for protecting outputs of low-voltage circuits from high programming voltages
US5341030A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/00315
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for isolating a first low-voltage circuit node comprising an output of a low-voltage device from a second circuit node which carries high programming voltages during programming of user-programmable interconnect elements includes the step of raising the normal power supply voltage provided to the low-voltage devices to an intermediate level lower than the programming voltage but high enough to protect the outputs of the low voltage devices from damage. The output to be protected is caused to assume a desired state and is then inhibited from changing state during the programming cycle. Programming voltage is then applied to the low voltage circuit node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.