Methods and apparatus to provide transient event protection for circuits
US8982518B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2117/02
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus to provide transient event protection for circuits are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first clamp circuit. The first power circuit provides a first reference voltage. The first clamp circuit directs energy from a signal node to the first power circuit in response to a transient resulting in a voltage at the signal node being lower than a second reference voltage. The apparatus also includes a second clamp circuit. The second clamp circuit includes a transistor. A collector terminal of the transistor is prevented from having a lower voltage than the second reference voltage. A second power circuit provides the second reference voltage, which is lower than the first reference voltage. The second clamp circuit directs energy from the signal node to the second power circuit in response to a transient resulting in the voltage at the signal node being higher than the first reference voltage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.