HIGH VOLTAGE TOLERANT SUPPLY CLAMP

摘要

Apparatus and methods for active detection, timing, and protection related to transient electrical events are disclosed. A detection circuit generates a detection signal in response to a transient electrical stress. First and second driver circuits of an integrated circuit, each driver having one or more bipolar junction transistors, activate based on the detection signal and generate activation signals. The one or more bipolar junction transistors of the first and second driver circuits are configured to conduct current substantially laterally across respective base regions. A discharge circuit, having an upper discharge element and a lower discharge element, receives the activation signals and activates to attenuate the transient electrical event.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a detection circuit configured to generate a detection signal based at least on a transient electrical stress event at a first node; first and second driver circuits of an integrated circuit, the first and second driver circuits configured to receive the detection signal, each of the first and second driver circuits comprising one or more bipolar junction transistors configured to activate based at least on the detection signal, wherein the first and second driver circuits are configured to generate activation signals at least while the one or more bipolar junction transistors of the respective driver circuits are activated, the one or more bipolar junction transistors of the first and second driver circuits are configured to conduct current substantially laterally across respective base regions; and a discharge circuit configured to receive the activation signals of the first and second driver circuits, the discharge circuit comprising:
a first field effect transistor configured to activate based at least on the activation signal of the first driver circuit; anda second field effect transistor arranged in series with the first field effect transistor, wherein the second field effect transistor is configured to activate based at least on the activation signal of the second driver circuit,wherein, when activated in an ON state, the first field effect transistor and the second field effect transistor are configured to conduct a current of the transient electrical stress event between the first node and a second node.