Electrostatic discharge protection for a transformer balun
US9806521B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/202
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A balun includes an input coil and an output coil with first and second outputs that vary during normal operation. The output coil has a center point connection that remains substantially constant during normal operation. An ESD circuit provides a low impedance path between the center point connection and chip ground when the voltage at the center point connection is above a first threshold voltage or below a second threshold voltage and isolates the center point connection from chip ground otherwise. Another ESD protection circuit provides ESD protection for other input or output terminals of the integrated circuit by selectively coupling the other input or output terminals to chip ground. Thus, a charge that builds up between one of the balun outputs and another terminal on the integrated circuit can be safely dissipated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.