US 2023/0154919 A1 · PROTECTION OF A DOMAIN OF AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AGAINST OVERVOLTAGES

Abstract

In embodiments, an integrated circuit is provided that includes an input/output cell having a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal connected to a domain and capable of withstanding a maximum voltage greater than the power supply voltage. The input/output cell further includes an array of N diodes coupled in series between the second signal terminal and a cold power supply point. The array has an overall threshold voltage greater than the maximum voltage. The integrated circuit further includes a control circuit connected between the first signal terminal and the array of diodes. The control circuit is configured, in the presence of a second voltage on the first signal terminal greater than the maximum voltage, to automatically and autonomously short-circuit at least one of the diodes in the array to limit the voltage on the second signal terminal to a third voltage less than the maximum voltage.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An integrated circuit, comprising:

an input/output cell comprising:
a first signal terminal for receiving/transmitting a signal,
a second signal terminal coupled to a domain and configured to operate under a power supply voltage and capable of withstanding a maximum voltage greater than the power supply voltage, and
an array comprising N diodes coupled in series between the second signal terminal and a cold power supply point, N being an integer greater than 0, the array having an overall threshold voltage greater than the maximum voltage;
and
a control circuit coupled between the first signal terminal and the array, the control circuit configured to, in a presence of a second voltage on the first signal terminal greater than the maximum voltage, automatically and autonomously short-circuit at least one diode in the array to limit a voltage on the second signal terminal to a third voltage less than the maximum voltage.

3 more elements

A method, comprising:

having an integrated circuit comprising an input/output cell and a control circuit, the input/output cell comprising a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal coupled to a domain, the first signal terminal used to receive or transmit a signal, the second signal terminal operating under a power supply voltage and capable of withstanding a maximum voltage greater than the power supply voltage, the input/output cell further comprising an array comprising of N diodes coupled in series between the second signal terminal and a cold power supply point, N being an integer greater than 0, the array having an overall threshold voltage greater than the maximum voltage, the control circuit coupled between the first signal terminal and the array;
and
automatically and autonomously short circuiting, by the control circuit, at least one diode in the array to limit a voltage on the second signal terminal to a third voltage less than the maximum voltage in a presence of a second voltage on the first signal terminal greater than the maximum voltage.

An electronic device comprising an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising:

an input/output cell comprising:
a first signal terminal for receiving/transmitting a signal,
a second signal terminal coupled to a domain and configured to operate under a power supply voltage and capable of withstanding a maximum voltage greater than the power supply voltage, and
an array comprising N diodes coupled in series between the second signal terminal and a cold power supply point, N being an integer greater than 0, the array having an overall threshold voltage greater than the maximum voltage;
and
a control circuit coupled between the first signal terminal and the array, the control circuit configured to, in a presence of a second voltage on the first signal terminal greater than the maximum voltage, automatically and autonomously short-circuit at least one diode in the array to limit a voltage on the second signal terminal to a third voltage less than the maximum voltage.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Protection of a domain of an integrated circuit against overvoltages

Life of this patent

Protection of a domain of an integrated circuit against overvoltages

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20