Circuit for protecting an integrated circuit against elctrostatic discharges in CMOS technology

US8164871B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• STMicroelectronics SA

Inventors

• Philippe Galy · Meylan, FR
• Christophe Entringer · Brignoud, FR
• Alexandre Dray · Crolles, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 21, 2009
• Grant date: Apr 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Sep 27, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D62/126

Abstract

The integrated circuit may include at least one electronic protection circuit for protecting against at least one electrostatic discharge and being able to discharge the overvoltage current generated by the electrostatic discharge. The electronic protection circuit includes a controlled short-circuiting switch embodied in CMOS technology including a CMOS technology TRIAC or a CMOS technology thyristor arranged in anti-parallel with a CMOS technology diode, and a triggering circuit for controlling the short-circuiting switch.