Patent · US Active

ESD protection circuit for differential I/O pair

US7974053B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 29, 2008
Grant dateJul 5, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 11, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03F3/45183
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An ESD protection circuit for a differential I/O pair is provided. The circuit includes an ESD detection circuit, a discharge device, and four diodes. The first diode is coupled between the first I/O pin and the discharge device in a forward direction toward the discharge device. The second diode is coupled between the second I/O pin and the discharge device in a forward direction toward the second I/O pin. The third diode is coupled between the discharge device and the positive power line in a forward direction toward the positive power line. The fourth diode is coupled between the discharge device and the negative power line in a forward direction toward the discharge device. Via an output end, the ESD detection circuit triggers the discharge device during ESD events.

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