Circuit arrangement and method for protecting an integrated semiconductor circuit

US7738222B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• austriamicrosystems AG

Inventors

• Bernd Deutschmann · Graz, AT
• Bernd Fankhauser · Graz, AT
• Michael Mayerhofer · Deisenhofen, DE
• Pawel Chojecki · Graz, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 14, 2005
• Grant date: Jun 15, 2010
• Expiry date: Jul 12, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D89/713

Abstract

A circuit arrangement for protecting an integrated semiconductor circuit includes a protection circuit connected between an element to be protected and a reference potential. The protection circuit includes a thyristor structure. The circuit arrangement also includes a control circuit configured to drive the protection circuit by generating a plurality of control signals drive an active element of the protection circuit.