Power-up control for very low-power systems
US8154270B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/223
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An input protection circuit (IPC) may prevent an input signal from propagating into a system, such as an integrated circuit (IC), when the voltage level of the input signal exceeds a specified value. The IPC may be configured to compare the input signal voltage, which may be that of an external input signal received by the system, with a reference voltage, which may be the power supply voltage. If the input signal voltage exceeds the reference voltage, the output of the IPC may be set to the value of a specified clamp voltage. If the input signal voltage does not exceed the reference voltage, the output of the IPC may track (or follow) the input signal voltage. For certain integrated circuits, the IPC may be configured to provide circuit protection for an input signal voltage ranging between 0V to 5V, and a power supply voltage ranging between 3.0V and 3.6V.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.