Synopsys, Inc.

Roland G De Jonge

Robert Beverly Lefferts

Peter C De Jong

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) device implemented within a power domain to mitigate ESD events imparted from another power domain for reducing integrated circuit (IC) failures. A first power domain includes an interface where ESD events are received and an output that can impart ESD event voltages on other components. A second power domain includes an ESD device coupled to the output of the first power domain and a protected IC. In one embodiment, the ESD device includes a floating device with an input terminal coupled to the interface output. By floating the device receiving the ESD event in the second power domain, damaging ESD induced voltages are reduced. Embodiments of the ESD device can be implemented using standard cell libraries to simplify integration.

Preventing electrostatic discharge (ESD) failures across voltage domains

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) device is implemented within a power domain to mitigate imparting ESD induced voltages on other power domains for reducing integrated circuit (IC) failures. A first power domain includes an interface with a first terminal where an ESD event is received. The interface includes a second terminal coupled to a component within a second power domain. The ESD device is disposed between the first terminal and second terminal to intercept the ESD event. In one embodiment, the ESD device includes a blocking device. The blocking device operatively decouples the first terminal and second terminal in response to a trigger signal received during an ESD event. By operatively decoupling the terminals, transmission of the ESD induced voltages is substantially mitigated. Embodiments of the ESD device can be implemented using standard cell libraries to simplify integration.

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Roland G De Jonge