Electrostatic discharge protection of amplifier cascode devices

摘要

Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of a cascode device of an amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment, a transistor is configured to receive a bias voltage and at least one circuit element coupled to the transistor and configured to receive an input voltage via an input pad. Additionally at least one diode can be coupled to a drain of the first transistor and configured to limit a voltage potential at an internal node of the amplifier caused by the input pad.

主权项

1. An amplifier, comprising:
a transistor configured to receive a bias voltage; at least one circuit element coupled in a stack to the transistor and configured to receive an input voltage via an input pad; and at least one diode coupled to a drain of the transistor and configured to limit a voltage potential at the drain of the transistor caused by an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event at the input pad coupled to the at least one circuit element, the at least one diode configured based on the bias voltage to non-conduct during normal operation of the amplifier and conduct during the ESD event at the input pad.