Patent · US Expired

Floating well circuit having enhanced latch-up performance

US7276957B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
12References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 2005
Grant dateOct 2, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 17, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K2217/0018
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A circuit for defining a voltage potential of a floating well in which is formed at least one metal-oxide-semiconductor device includes a sense circuit operative to detect a voltage at a node to which the floating well is connected and to generate a control signal indicative of whether the voltage at the node is substantially within a voltage range. A lower value of the voltage range is substantially equal to a threshold voltage below a first supply voltage of the circuit. An upper value of the voltage range is substantially equal to a threshold voltage above the first supply voltage. The circuit for defining the voltage potential of the floating well further includes a voltage generator circuit operative to receive the control signal and to generate a bias signal for setting a voltage potential of the well in response to the control signal, the bias signal being controlled throughout the voltage range.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.