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:
Jul. 12, 2011
Filed:
Mar. 20, 2008
Srinivas Perisetty, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Srinivas Perisetty, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Altera Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
An integrated circuit has pins to which electrostatic discharge voltages may be delivered during electrostatic discharge events. Circuitry in the integrated circuit can be protected from damage by the electrostatic discharge voltages by electrostatic discharge protection circuitry. The electrostatic discharge protection circuitry may include one or more diodes that are connected between a given pin and ground to discharge negative electrostatic discharge voltages. Positive electrostatic discharge voltages may be discharged using a transistor that is connected between the pin and ground and that breaks down at a breakdown voltage. A voltage blocking circuit such as a circuit based on a voltage blocking transistor may be used to prevent damaging electrostatic discharge voltages from reaching sensitive circuitry. Pull down circuitry may be used to help ensure that the circuitry is protected from damage during electrostatic discharge events.