Apparatus and method for improved triggering and oscillation suppression of ESD clamping devices

US7397641B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Albert M. Chu · Nashua, US
• Robert J. Gauthier, Jr. · South Burlington, US
• Junjun Li · Williston, US
• Thomas W. Wyckoff · Jeffersonville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 2006
• Grant date: Jul 8, 2008
• Expiry date: Feb 22, 2027

Classification

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

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting an integrated circuit from electrostatic discharge (ESD) includes an RC trigger device configured between a pair of power rails, a first control path coupled to the RC trigger device, and a second control path coupled to the RC trigger device. A power clamp is configured between the power rails for discharging current from an ESD event, the power clamp having an input coupled to outputs of the first and second control paths, the power clamp independently controllable by the first and second control paths. The first and second control paths are further configured to prevent the power clamp from reactivating following an initial deactivation of the power clamp.