Method and apparatus for electrostatic discharge protection for printed circuit boards

An integrated circuit capable of providing electrostatic discharge protection for use on a printed circuit board including a possible source of electrostatic discharge and operational circuitry, the integrated circuit comprising:

• an input coupled to the possible source of electrostatic discharge,
• an output coupled to the operational circuitry on said printed circuit board,
• a capacitance structure integrated into the printed circuit board between said input and output;
• for dissipating electrostatic discharge to the operational circuit and
• means for switching an electrostatic discharge from the possible source to the capacitance structure, said means for switching being surface mounted on the printed circuit board in series with the capacitance structure.

An integrated circuit capable of providing electrostatic discharge protection for use on a printed circuit board including a possible source of electrostatic discharge and operational circuitry, the integrated circuit comprising:

• an input coupled to the possible source of electrostatic discharge,
• an output coupled to the operational circuitry,
• means for collecting and dissipating electrostatic discharge coupled between said input and said output, and
• means for coupling and decoupling the means for collecting and dissipating electrostatic discharge to the operational circuitry.

A printed circuit board comprising:

• a possible source of electrostatic discharge;
• operational circuitry;
• and
• an electrostatic discharge protection circuitry, including:
• an input coupled to the possible source of electrostatic discharge;
• an output coupled to the operational circuitry;
• a capacitance structure between the input and the output;
• for dissipating electrostatic discharge to the operational circuit and
• a switch in series with the capacitance structure.

A method for protecting a printed circuit board from electrostatic discharge, comprising:

• attaching an integrated circuit to the printed circuit board, the integrated circuit comprising a switch and a capacitance structure;
• switching an electrostatic discharge to the capacitance structure:
• storing the electrostatic discharge in the capacitance structure;
• and
• dissipating the stored electrostatic discharge into the operational circuitry.