Thompson Hine LLP
Electrostatic discharge protection circuit with a fail-safe mechanism
Circuits and methods for providing electrostatic discharge protection. The protection circuit may include a power clamp device, a timing circuit including a resistor and a capacitor that is coupled with the resistor at a node, a transmission gate configured to selectively connect the node of the timing circuit with the power clamp device, and a control circuit coupled with the node. The control circuit is configured to control the transmission gate based upon whether or not the capacitor is defective. The timing circuit may be deactivated if the capacitor in the timing circuit is defective and the associated chip is powered. Alternatively, the timing circuit may be activated if the capacitor in the timing circuit is not defective.
GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
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