Analog Devices,inc.

Stephen T English

Eric G Nestler

Edward L Wolfe

Andrew H Olney

An apparatus and method for protecting integrated circuits from electrical overstress and eletrostatic discharge is provided. The apparatus includes a primary EOS/ESD protection device and a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit maintain the primary EOS/ESD protection device in an off state during normal operation of the integrated circuit and switches the primary protection device to an state when an EOS/ESD event occurs at a first input pad with respect to a second input pad of the integrated circuit.

General purpose EOS/ESD protection circuit for bipolar-CMOS and CMOS

An apparatus and method for protecting semiconductor switching devices from damage due to electrostatic discharge is provided. The apparatus detects the occurrence of an ESD event, and turns the switching circuit to an operating state in which electrostatic charge is dissipated through the switching circuit. In embodiments of the invention, the switching circuit is a CMOS inverter circuit and the apparatus includes a PMOS transistor that upon occurrence of an ESD event couples an output of the inverter circuit to ground to discharge the electrostatic charge.

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Groveland, MA, United States of America

Stephen T English