Circuit for protecting integrated circuits against electrostatic discharges

US7359169B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Infineon Technologies AG · DE

Inventors

• Kai Esmark · Schwanau, DE
• Harald Gossner · Riemerling, DE
• Wolfgang Stadler · Hilpoltstein, DE
• Martin Streibl · Petershausen, DE
• Martin Wendel · Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 24, 2003
• Grant date: Apr 15, 2008
• Expiry date: Nov 24, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H02H9/046
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A circuit is described that protects an integrated circuit from electrostatic discharges or electrical over-stress. The circuit arrangement has first and second protective elements connected in series between a connection of the integrated circuit and a supply voltage. When electrostatic discharges or electrical over-stress occurs, current flows through the conductive path formed through the first and second protective elements. A current path that contains a circuit element limits current through the first protective element is connected in parallel with the first protective element. The first protective element has blocking behavior when no electrostatic discharges or electrical over-stress occurs, a limited current flows through the current path and the second protective element.