Method and apparatus for protection and high voltage isolation of low voltage communication interface terminals
US8637899B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10D89/713
Abstract
A high voltage isolation protection device for low voltage communication interface systems in mixed-signal high voltage electronic circuit is disclosed. According to one aspect, the protection device includes a semiconductor structure configured to provide isolation between low voltage terminals and protection from transient events. The protection device includes a thyristor having an anode, a cathode, and a gate, and a thyristor cathode-gate control region that is built into the protection device. The protection device is configured to provide multiple built-in path-up to power-high terminals and path-down to power-low terminals at different voltage levels. The protection device also includes independently built-in discharge paths to the common substrate that is connected to a different power-low voltage reference. The conduction paths may be built into a single structure with dual isolation regions. As a result, the protection device enables superior robustness and compact protection solutions for smart power applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.