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:
Aug. 11, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 12, 2004
Sandeep Pant, Orefield, PA (US);
Gary H. Weiss, Slatington, PA (US);
David W. Thompson, Macungie, PA (US);
Yehuda Smooha, Allentown, PA (US);
Sandeep Pant, Orefield, PA (US);
Gary H. Weiss, Slatington, PA (US);
David W. Thompson, Macungie, PA (US);
Yehuda Smooha, Allentown, PA (US);
Agere Systems Inc., Allentown, PA (US);
Abstract
Protection is provided against electrical surges resulting from Electrical Over Stress conditions, e.g., when interfacing circuits with powered connections. An EOS shunt is activated for as long as the EOS condition exists. EOS protection using an EOS shunt in accordance with the principles of the present invention remains activated by a voltage threshold trigger as long as necessary. In a disclosed embodiment, an EOS shunt includes a voltage threshold detector that detects a voltage on a power bus with respect to a ground rail exceeding a predetermined amount, e.g., 5 volts in a device powered at 3.3 volts. During the EOS event, a path between power and ground comprising a transistor is turned on.