Electro-static discharge protection circuit with bimodal resistance characteristics

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5270565
SERIAL NO

07708790

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

An electrostatic discharge protection circuit employing an extended resistive structure having bimodal resistance characteristics in series with an input/output buffer circuit and an input/output electrical contact pad on an integrated circuit. The extended resistive structure is integrally formed with the device or devices in the buffer circuit most susceptible to damage due to ESD breakdown effects In a first resistance mode during normal circuit operations, the resistor has a low resistance value and introduces virtually no additional load to the input/output buffer circuitry. In a second mode of operation during ESD discharge, the resistor has a second significantly higher resistance which reduces current values during the ESD event thereby protecting the buffer circuit. Thick oxide snap-back device is also employed to provide a parallel ESD discharge path with low power dissipation.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Lee, Alan Irvine, CA 33 376
Lee, Kwok Fai V Irvine, CA 3 179
Marmet, Melvin L San Clemente, CA 7 123
Ouyang, Kenneth W Huntington Beach, CA 19 686

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation