Electrostatic discharge circuit and method therefor

US7777998B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Freeescale Semiconductor, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Michael A. Stockinger · Austin, US
• Michael G. Khazhinsky · Austin, US
• James W. Miller · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 10, 2007
• Grant date: Aug 17, 2010
• Expiry date: Oct 16, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D89/921

Abstract

Circuitry on integrated circuits usually includes protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. A second ESD current path may be provided in addition to a first ESD current path for shunting ESD current away from circuitry to be protected during an ESD event. In addition to the standard power and ground buses used to provide power and ground voltages to the protected circuitry, one or more extra power and/or ground buses and associated circuitry may be added for improved ESD protection.