Esd protection circuit with two discharge time periods

Abstract

An electrostatic discharge protection circuit may include discharge path circuitry to discharge charge on a supply line in response to detection of an ESD event. The charge on the supply line may be discharged through the discharge path circuitry from when a first timing window opens until a second timing window closes. The first timing window may also be used to detect ESD events. The two timing windows may allow an initial period of the ESD voltage on the supply line to be suppressed before the second timing window opens, and may further allow a remaining period of the ESD event following the initial period to be suppressed after the first timing window closes.