Circuit including configuration terminal and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to circuits and methods including configuration terminals. Circuits and methods are provided, where a configuration terminal (12) of the circuit(10) is coupled to an internal node (15) during a configuration phase and decoupled from the internal node (15) during normal operation.

Description

technical field [0001] The present application relates to circuits comprising configuration terminals and to corresponding methods. Background technique [0002] Electronic circuits include terminals for communicating with other entities, for example to receive supply voltages, receive input signals or output output signals. Where the circuit is provided in a package, such terminals may be provided as pins of the package. [0003] Such terminals, such as pins, are typically protected against electrostatic discharge (ESD) by ESD protection circuitry, which may be implemented by diodes coupled between the respective terminal and a reference potential. In normal operation, diodes are non-conductive. In the event of an electrostatic discharge resulting in a high voltage, the diode becomes conductive, thus bringing the charge generated by the electrostatic discharge down to a reference potential. [0004] One type of terminal is a configuration terminal for configuring a circu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This is caused at least in part by the rectification of the RF signal at the diodes of the ESD circuit, and may result in higher order harmonics

This in turn can lead to RF specification violations and the rectified RF signal also leads to increased current consumption

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