Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit and method of operating the same

Abstract

An integrated circuit includes a buffer circuit coupled between a first node and a second node, an input / output (IO) pad coupled to the buffer circuit, a first clamp circuit coupled between the IO pad and the second node, and a second clamp circuit coupled between the IO pad and the first node. The buffer circuit is configured to output a first signal to the IO pad. The first clamp circuit is configured to clamp a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) event at the IO pad or the second node. The second clamp circuit is configured to clamp a second ESD event at the IO pad or the first node.