Input protection circuit for protecting an internal circuit of a semiconductor device from electrostatic discharge
US5430602A · kind A · utility
15Cited by
3References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10D89/601
Abstract
A circuit is provided for protecting the internal circuit of a semiconductor device from electrostatic discharge (ESD). This circuit includes an input pad for applying an input signal to the internal circuit, a metal line for electrically connecting the input pad and internal circuit. This metal line has at least one RC delay stage caused by inherent parasitic resistances and capacitances. Also, a punch-through element is provided to connect the metal line to a ground voltage terminal disposed between the input pad and a delay stage. Finally, a resistor is used to connect the at least one delay stage to the internal circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.