Apparatus and methods for actively-controlled transient overstress protection with false condition shutdown

A method for protecting an integrated circuit from electrical overstress, the method comprising:

• detecting a presence of a transient overstress event between a first node and a second node using a transient overstress detection circuit;
• activating a detection signal in response to detecting the presence of the transient overstress event using the transient overstress detection circuit;
• generating a false condition shutdown signal based on low pass filtering a voltage difference between the first node and the second node using a false condition shutdown circuit;
• turning on a clamp circuit using a bias circuit when the detection signal is activated and the false condition shutdown signal is deactivated;
• turning off the clamp circuit using the bias circuit when the false condition shutdown signal is activated;
• and
• using the false condition shutdown circuit to inhibit the bias circuit from turning on the clamp circuit in response to transient switching of an analog to digital converter (ADC).

A data converter system on a chip (SOC), the data converter SOC comprising:

• an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that receives power from a supply voltage node and a ground node;
• and
• a supply clamp comprising:
• a transient overstress detection circuit configured to generate a detection signal based on detecting a presence of a transient overstress event between the supply voltage node and the ground node;
• a clamp circuit having an on state and an off state, wherein the clamp circuit is electrically connected between the supply voltage node and the ground node;
• a false condition shutdown circuit configured to generate a false condition shutdown signal based on low pass filtering a voltage difference between the supply voltage node and the ground node;
• a sense feedback circuit configured to generate a positive feedback signal based on an amount of current flowing through the clamp circuit;
• and
• a bias circuit configured to control operation of the clamp circuit in the on state or the off state based on the detection signal the false condition shutdown signal, and the positive feedback signal.