Monolithic integratable circuit arrangement for protection against a transient voltage

US7130175B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ATMEL Germany GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Franz Dietz · Heilbronn, DE
• Lars Hehn · Heilbronn, DE
• Manfred Klaussner · Heilbronn, DE
• Anton Koch · Mosbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 27, 2004
• Grant date: Oct 31, 2006
• Expiry date: Feb 24, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01L2924/0002

Abstract

At least one or more terminals of an integrated circuit, such as a low- or high-side driver stage, are protected against transient or over-voltages by two pairs of diodes. A first pair of diodes includes a regular diode (D1 or D1′) and a Zener-diode (ZD1 or ZD1′). A second pair of diodes also includes a regular diode (D2 or D3) and a Zener-diode (ZD2 or ZD3). These diode pairs are looped into the respective circuit and cooperate with an n-channel MOSFET or a p-channel MOSFET to provide the required over-voltage protection, particularly for transmitter/receiver circuits and databus systems especially in motor vehicles.