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US 2014/0211347 A1Published application
Bi-directional esd protection circuit
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsRobert Steinhoff, Jonathan Brodsky, Thomas A. Vrotsos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structure is designed with an external terminal (100) and a reference terminal (102). A first transistor (106) is formed on a substrate. The first transistor has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the reference terminal. A second transistor (118) has a current path coupled between the external terminal and the substrate. A third transistor (120) has a current path coupled between the substrate and the reference terminal.
Claims15
1-13. (canceled)
A method of forming a circuit, comprising:
- forming a first device having a current path and a control terminal between an external terminal and a reference terminal, the external terminal coupled to receive a maximum positive voltage with respect to the reference terminal and a minimum negative voltage with respect to the reference terminal during normal circuit operation;
- forming a second device having a current path connected to the control terminal of the first transistor, the second device arranged to inhibit conduction of the current path of the first device in response to the maximum positive voltage;
- and
- forming a third device having a current path connected to the control terminal of the first transistor, the third device arranged to inhibit conduction of the current path of the first device in response to the minimum negative voltage.
1 more element
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first device having a current path and a control terminal between an external terminal and a reference terminal, the external terminal coupled to receive a maximum positive voltage with respect to the reference terminal and a minimum negative voltage with respect to the reference terminal during normal circuit operation;
- a second device having a current path connected to the control terminal of the first transistor, the second device arranged to inhibit conduction of the current path of the first device in response to the maximum positive voltage;
- and
- a third device having a current path connected to the control terminal of the first transistor, the third device arranged to inhibit conduction of the current path of the first device in response to the minimum negative voltage.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.