The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 04, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 03, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
Douglas R. Holberg, Wimberley, TX (US);
Nadi R. Itani, Austin, TX (US);
David R. Welland, Austin, TX (US);
Assignee:
Cirrus Logic, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H02H 9/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H02H 9/00 ;
Abstract
A high voltage input pad and method for accepting electrostatic discharge (ESD) surges without damage to an input semiconductor amplifier. The protection system includes a metal gate, transistor, and n-well resistors which provide ESD protection. Protection is further provided against large voltages coupled to an amplifier by connecting an input bipolar junction transistor to the negative input connection of the amplifier. Negative surges are directed to ground with an anode grounded diode connected at its cathode to the negative input connection of the amplifier.