Electrostatic discharge protection scheme in low potential drop environments

US6624998B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• James May · Tempe, US
• Larry E. Tyler · Mesa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 24, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 23, 2003
• Expiry date: Oct 19, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D89/811

Abstract

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection scheme includes a divided rail structure to route damaging ESD away from sensitive circuitry. Specifically, Vdd and Vss rails are divided to segregate the ESD current within a circuit, thus isolating the sensitive circuitry from ESD exposure. In an exemplary embodiment, Vdd is divided into Vdd-esd and Vdd core, while Vss is divided into Vss-esd and Vss core. The structure in cooperation with diodes, clamps and resistors enables to isolate the rails (Vdd core and Vss core) associated with sensitive circuitry from ESD current.