Output driver having electrostatic discharge protection
US7102865B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/0822
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An output driver having electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is disclosed. The output driver includes a first gain transistor, a second gain transistor, a capacitor and a resistor. The first gain transistor provides a first stage gain, and the second gain transistor provides a second stage gain. The capacitor, which is connected to the first and second gain transistors, provides a compensation function between the first and second gain transistors during normal operations. In response to an occurrence of an ESD event at the output of the output driver, the capacitor turns on the second gain transistor The resistor, which is also connected to the first and second gain transistors, returns the second gain transistor to normal operations after the occurrence of an ESD event.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.