Self-referencing modulation circuit for CMOS integrated circuit electrostatic discharge protection clamps
US5617283A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An ESD protection device is provided which includes a self referencing modulation circuit for controlling its operation. The modulation circuit includes a diode stack coupled to a resistor and further coupled to an inverter powered by the signal pad voltage in one embodiment, or an odd plurality of series connected inverters powered by the signal pad voltage in an alternate embodiment. The inverter chain is coupled to the ESD clamp. The modulation circuit requires no reference supply voltage to operate. The ESD protection circuit shunts currents associated with ESD events away from ICs as well as clamping I/O pad voltages to acceptable levels during an ESD event.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.