Monolithic integrated circuits having protection against latch-up.

摘要

It is well known that in certain structures of monolithic integrated circuitry, parasitic thyristor action (via 18-10-11-13) can lead to latch-up and subsequent destruction of the circuit. This specification discloses a totally isolated diode (40) in series with a supply terminal to the circuit: in normal operation such a diode (40) would be forward biased, but under the conditions required for latch-up, it becomes reverse biased, preventing the current flow that would otherwise allow the thyristor to turn on.