Integrated circuit having enhanced transient voltage protection and associated methods

An integrated circuit for electrically connecting to an electronic circuit, the integrated circuit comprising:

• a plurality of electrical conductors;
• protected circuit portions for being electrically connected to the electronic circuit via said electrical conductors;
• and
• multiple time constant transient clamping means for clamping a transient voltage at said protected circuit portions based upon one of a first time constant and a longer second time constant, the first time constant being selected when the integrated circuit is electrically connected to the electronic circuit to permit operation of said protected circuit portions and while protecting same from a transient voltage, the longer second time constant being selected when the integrated circuit is not electrically connected to the electronic circuit to protect said protected circuit portions from a transient voltage.

An integrated circuit for electrically connecting to an electronic circuit, the integrated circuit comprising:

• a plurality of electrical conductors;
• protected circuit portions for being electrically connected to the electronic circuit via said electrical conductors;
• and
• multiple time constant transient clamping means for clamping a transient voltage at said protected circuit portions based upon one of a first time constant and a longer second time constant, said multiple time constant transient clamping means comprising
• a first active voltage clamp and a first clamp controller associated therewith being connected between an electrical node and a first electrical conductor, and
• a second active voltage clamp and a second clamp controller associated therewith being connected between the electrical node and a second electrical conductor;
• said first and second clamp controllers each being operable based upon the first time constant responsive to a predetermined impedance electrically connected between said first and second electrical conductors when said integrated circuit is electrically connected to the electronic circuit, said first and second clamp controllers each being operable based upon the second time constant responsive to the integrated circuit not being electrically connected to the electronic circuit.