ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TRIGGER CIRCUITS FOR SELF-PROTECTING CASCODE STAGES

摘要

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) trigger circuits for self-protecting cascode stages are disclosed. In one example, an ESD trigger circuit (100) is described. A cascode stage (150) is configured to selectively couple an output pad (154) to a reference terminal (156). An ESD sensor (102) may detect a change in voltage indicative of an ESD event occurring at the output pad, causing a gate drive (104) to turn on the cascode stage to conduct ESD current in response to detection of the ESD event at the output pad. A leakage blocker (106) is also included to prevent reverse current from the cascode stage to the output pad via the gate drive while there is not an ESD event.