Electrostatic-discharge protection using a micro-electromechanical-system switch

A computer-readable storage device, wherein the computer-readable storage device stores data which represents an interface circuit, and wherein the interface circuit includes:

• an input pad and a control node;
• a transistor having three terminals, wherein a first terminal is electrically coupled to the input pad and a second terminal is electrically coupled to the control node;
• and
• a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch, electrically coupled to the input pad and the control node, wherein the MEMS switch is in parallel with the transistor, and wherein the MEMS switch is configured to protect the transistor from electrostatic discharge (ESD);
• wherein, in the absence of a voltage applied to a control terminal of the MEMS switch, the MEMS switch is closed, thereby electrically coupling the input pad and the control node, and, when the voltage is applied to the control terminal of the MEMS switch, the MEMS switch is open, thereby electrically decoupling the input pad and the control node.

An integrated circuit, comprising:

• an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit includes:
• an input pad and a control node;
• a transistor having three terminals, wherein a first terminal is electrically coupled to the input pad and a second terminal is electrically coupled to the control node;
• and
• a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch, electrically coupled to the input pad and the control node, wherein the MEMS switch is in parallel with the transistor, and wherein the MEMS switch is configured to protect the transistor from electrostatic discharge (ESD);
• wherein, in the absence of a voltage applied to a control terminal of the MEMS switch, the MEMS switch is closed, thereby electrically coupling the input pad and the control node, and, when the voltage is applied to the control terminal of the MEMS switch, the MEMS switch is open, thereby electrically decoupling the input pad and the control node.