Noise Tolerant Active Clamp with ESD Protection in Power-Up Mode

Abstract

A circuit is described comprising electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuitry, keep-off circuitry and ESD detection circuitry. When the ESD detection circuitry detects an ESD event, the ESD detection circuitry is configured to both enable the ESD protection circuitry and disable the keep-off circuitry.

Description

technical field [0001] This disclosure relates to electronic devices, and more particularly to electrostatic discharge protection circuits utilizing active clamps. Background technique [0002] An imbalance of charge on or within the surface of a material creates static electricity. This charge imbalance is most commonly observed by what is known as the triboelectric effect (also known as triboelectric charging). Triboelectric charging causes a material with weakly bound electrons to lose electrons to a material with a sparsely filled outer shell through friction, causing one material to become positively charged and the other negatively charged. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two objects caused by contact. In everyday life, a common example of triboelectric charging occurs when someone walks across the floor, creating a buildup of static electricity, and a common example of ESD occurs when that person touches a light switch or othe...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Because ESD protection circuits can respond not only to ESD events, but also to any kind of disturbance on the lines connected to the protected pads, the overall EMC performance can be drastically reduced

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