Method and apparatus for switching a well potential in response to an output voltage
US6204721A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/07
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switching circuit includes a switch having first and second terminals coupled between a voltage supply and ground potential and having a control terminal coupled to receive a control signal indicative of the output voltage of an associated semiconductor circuit. The switch also includes an output terminal coupled to the well region within which is formed the associated semiconductor circuit. In preferred embodiments, the control signal transitions from a first state to a second state when the output voltage exceeds a predetermined potential. In response thereto, the switching circuit changes the well potential of the associated semiconductor circuit from a first voltage to ground potential, wherein the first voltage is greater than ground potential.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.