ESD Protection Circuit for Switching Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ESD protection circuits for switching regulators face a trade-off between ESD protection capability and circuit efficiency, leading to high on-resistance and reduced efficiency due to the need for additional ESD protection cells, which can cause gate oxide breakdown and device failure.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with ESD protection for switching regulators that includes a non-overlap circuit, power MOS devices, a diode, digital logic AND gate, and an ESD protection cell, which turns off the power MOS device during ESD events to reduce on-resistance and enhance voltage conversion capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional ESD protection cells are added to the conventional ESD protection circuit, then ESD protection capability is improved, but on-resistance increases and circuit efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit performs preliminary action by detecting ESD events before they cause damage and proactively turning off the power MOS device. The ESD detection circuit monitors for ESD conditions and activates the protection mechanism in advance, preventing the need for additional ESD protection cells that would increase on-resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary ESD detection circuit and control logic that mediates between the ESD threat and the power MOS device. This intermediary system detects ESD events and controls the switching of the power MOS device, providing protection without requiring additional ESD protection cells in the signal path.
2Reliability
If the distance between drain terminal and gate terminal is enlarged for power MOS devices, then ESD protection capability is improved, but on-resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit performs preliminary action by detecting ESD events before they cause damage and proactively turning off the power MOS device. The ESD detection circuit monitors for ESD conditions and activates the protection mechanism in advance, preventing the need for additional ESD protection cells that would increase on-resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary ESD detection circuit and control logic that mediates between the ESD threat and the power MOS device. This intermediary system detects ESD events and controls the switching of the power MOS device, providing protection without requiring additional ESD protection cells in the signal path.
3Reliability
If ESD protection circuits are added to the Lx pin of switching regulator, then ESD protection capability is improved, but circuit efficiency decreases due to additional on-resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit performs preliminary action by detecting ESD events before they cause damage and proactively turning off the power MOS device. The ESD detection circuit monitors for ESD conditions and activates the protection mechanism in advance, preventing the need for additional ESD protection cells that would increase on-resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary ESD detection circuit and control logic that mediates between the ESD threat and the power MOS device. This intermediary system detects ESD events and controls the switching of the power MOS device, providing protection without requiring additional ESD protection cells in the signal path.
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 proposed solution effectively decreases the on-resistance of power MOS devices, improves circuit efficiency, and provides higher ESD endurance by ensuring the power MOS devices are turned off during ESD events, thereby preventing breakdown and enhancing overall system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The diode is electrically connected to the source terminal and the drain terminal of the power P-type MOS device, and is used for providing a pathway for an electrostatic discharge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a circuit with ESD protection and high voltage conversion for a switching regulator. It mainly comprises a non-overlap circuit, a power P-type MOS device, a parasitic diode, a digital logic AND gate, a pair of resistance and capacitance, a power N-type MOS device, an ESD N-type MOS device, a Lx pin and an ESD protection cell. The present invention can effectively decrease the on-resistance of MOS device and then improve the circuit efficiency.