Circuit arrangement and method for discharging at least one circuit node
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorAndrea Logiudice
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a circuit arrangement for discharging at least one circuit node, an input and at least one output connectible to the at least one circuit node are provided along with at least one controllable resistor, a capacitor and a diode. A first terminal of the controllable path of the controllable resistor is connected to the output. A second terminal of the controllable path of the controllable resistor is connected to the input. A terminal of the capacitor and a cathode of the diode are connected to a control terminal of the controllable resistor. An anode of the diode is connected to the input. The circuit arrangement requires a very small area in an integrated circuit and enables a very fast discharge of the circuit node.
Claims19
A circuit arrangement for discharging at least one circuit note, comprising:
- an input and at least one output, the output being used to discharge the at least one circuit node;
- at least one controllable resistor, a capacitor and a diode;
- a first terminal of a controllable path of the controllable resistor being connected to the output;
- a second terminal of the controllable path of the controllable resistor being connected to the input;
- a first terminal of the capacitor and a cathode of the diode being connected to a control terminal of the controllable resistor and an anode of the diode being connected to the input;
- and
- a second terminal of the capacitor being connected to ground.
An integrated circuit, comprising:
- a circuit arrangement for discharging at least one circuit node of the integrated circuit, said circuit arrangement comprising
- an input and at least one output,
- at least one controllable resistor, a capacitor and a diode,
- a first terminal of a controllable path of the controllable resistor being connected to the output,
- a second terminal of the controllable path of the controllable resistor being connected to the input,
- a first terminal of the capacitor and a cathode of the diode being connected to a control terminal of the controllable resistor and an anode of the diode being connected to the input, and
- a second terminal of the capacitor being connected to ground,
- said at least one output being connected to said at least one circuit node of the integrated circuit;
- and
- a voltage that derives from a voltage source of the integrated circuit being present at the input.
A method for discharging at least one circuit node, comprising the steps of:
- storing a charge on a capacitor;
- and
- delaying a discharge of said charge even after a disconnect of a supply voltage, and a controllable resistor being controlled such that after a disconnect of the supply voltage, the controllable resistor is conductive for a predetermined time duration within which the circuit node discharges nearly completely.
A circuit arrangement for discharging at least one circuit note, comprising:
- an input and at least one output, the output being used to discharge the at least one circuit node;
- at least one controllable resistor, a capacitor and a diode;
- a first terminal of a controllable path of the controllable being connected to the output;
- a second terminal of the controllable path of the controllable resistor being connected to the input;
- a terminal of the capacitor and a cathode of the diode being connected to a control terminal of the controllable resistor and an anode of the diode being connected to the input;
- the terminal of the capacitor also being connected to a clamping circuit;
- and
- the clamping circuit being designed such that it limits a voltage of the capacitor to a sum voltage that approximately corresponds to a sum of a voltage present at the input and a threshold voltage of the controllable resistor.
A circuit arrangement for discharging at least one circuit node, comprising:
- an input and at least one output, the output being used to discharge the at least one circuit node;
- at least one controllable resistor, capacitor and a diode;
- a first terminal of a controllable path of the controllable resistor being connected to the output;
- a second terminal of the controllable path of the controllable resistor being connected to the input;
- a terminal of the capacitor and a cathode of the diode being connected to a control terminal of the controllable resistor and an anode of the diode being connected to the input;
- the terminal of the capacitor being connected to a voltage-control power source;
- and
- the power source being dimensioned such that a discharge of the capacitor is prevented given a decrease in a voltage present at the input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.