Electrostatic discharge protection circuit

US8705217B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd · SG

Inventors

• Yannick Guedon · Singapore, SG
• Meiliana Leow · Singapore, SG
• Sze-Kwang Tan · Singapore, SG
• Mariano Dissegna · Plano, US
• Lorenzo Cerati · Cinisello Balsamo, IT

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 24, 2008
• Grant date: Apr 22, 2014
• Expiry date: Mar 5, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D89/819

Abstract

An integrated circuit includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) detection circuit which detects an ESD event and generates an event signal. In response to that event signal, a control circuit controls the operation of a buffer circuit to function in an additional mode wherein the normal differential operation of the buffer circuit is disabled and the buffer circuit is instead configured to form a conduction path between supply rails to discharge the ESD event. Preferably, a plurality of buffer circuits are driven in parallel by the control circuit to function in the additional mode to form parallel discharge paths for the ESD event. Multiple ESD detection circuits may be provided, and any one of those detection circuits can trigger the control circuitry to place all of the buffer circuits in the additional mode.