Combo Circuit ESD Protection Between Power Source and Ground
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single chip combo circuits integrating a PWM and power integrated circuit face issues with electrostatic discharge protection, as the pin is not coupled to reference ground potential, leading to potential circuit burnout due to unneutralized excess charges.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrostatic discharge protection circuit between the source of the power integrated circuit and the reference ground potential, utilizing a combination of transistors and diodes to provide multiple conduction paths for neutralizing excess charges, and integrating a high voltage start-up circuit to generate supply voltage for the PWM integrated circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the pin is not coupled to reference ground potential to enable single chip combo integration, then the area of the combo circuit is reduced, but the power integrated circuit becomes vulnerable to electrostatic discharge and may burn out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrostatic discharge protection circuit as an intermediary component between the power integrated circuit source and the reference ground potential. This protection circuit includes electrostatic discharge protection devices (such as diodes or transistors) that act as mediators to safely conduct excess charges to ground, preventing direct damage to the power integrated circuit while maintaining the single chip combo architecture.
2Reliability
If the electrostatic discharge protection circuit is added to neutralize excess charges, then the reliability of the power integrated circuit is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrostatic discharge protection function with the existing single chip combo circuit architecture. The protection circuit is integrated into the same chip, sharing common structures and processes with the PWM and power integrated circuits. This combining approach adds protection functionality while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through shared manufacturing processes and integrated design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively neutralizes excess positive and negative charges, preventing the power integrated circuit from burning out and ensuring the combo circuit's compatibility with current processes without additional cost or area increase.
Implementation Method 1
the electrostatic discharge protection circuit is installed between a source of the power integrated circuit and a reference ground potential of the combo circuit... both of the excess positive charges and the excess negative charges cannot be neutralized by the reference ground potential, resulting in the power integrated circuit being burned out
Data Source
AI summary
A combo circuit with electrostatic discharge protection includes a pulse width modulation integrated circuit and a power integrated circuit. The pulse width modulation integrated circuit has an electrostatic discharge protection circuit and the electrostatic discharge protection circuit is installed between a source of the power integrated circuit and a reference ground potential of the combo circuit.