18515580. Failsafe Input/Output Electrostatic Discharge Protection With Diodes simplified abstract (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.)
Failsafe Input/Output Electrostatic Discharge Protection With Diodes
Organization Name
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
Inventor(s)
Tzu-Heng Chang of New Taipei City (TW)
Failsafe Input/Output Electrostatic Discharge Protection With Diodes - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18515580 titled 'Failsafe Input/Output Electrostatic Discharge Protection With Diodes
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes a system for protecting circuitry from electrostatic discharge through input and output connections using a string of diodes and specific diodes for voltage clamping.
- String of diodes used for protection
- Specific diodes for voltage pull-up and pull-down clamping
- Third diode for pull-up and pull-down connections between I/O and power lines
- ESD device prevents voltage from exceeding threshold during ESD event
- ESD device is turned off during operational mode
Potential Applications
- Electronic devices
- Integrated circuits
- Circuit boards
Problems Solved
- Damage to internal circuitry from electrostatic discharge
- Interference with circuit operations during ESD events
Benefits
- Enhanced protection from ESD
- Improved reliability of circuitry
- Cost-effective solution for ESD protection
Original Abstract Submitted
Systems and methods are provided for fail-safe protection of circuitry from electrostatic discharge due through input and output connections. The power circuitry may include a string of diodes, connections to power lines, and particular diodes for voltage pull-up and pull-down clamping. There may be both a pull-up third diode in the diode string for connection between I/O and VDD and a pull-down third diode between I/O and VSS. During an ESD event the ESD device is configured to hold voltage from exceeding a threshold voltage and damaging internal circuitry. During operational mode the ESD device is turned off and does not interfere with circuit operations.
