Patent ID: 7061737
Filing Date: 2006-06-13
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for an integrated circuit comprising: a diode string connected to a first pad at its anode end having a total forward voltage drop more than or equal to a first supply voltage and with its cathode end passing the ESD charge; a current dissipation module with at least one N-type MOSFET for passing the ESD charge from the diode string to a first common node connectable to a second supply voltage; a first diode with its anode end connected to the first common node and its cathode node connected to the first pad; and a control module for controlling the current dissipation module for dissipating the ESD charge through the first common node when it causes a voltage on the first pad to surpass the total forward voltage drop of the diode string, wherein when the first common node is not connected to ground, the ESD charge on the first pad is dissipated through the first common node to ground via a second diode similarly situated as the first diode with regard to a second pad wherein the second pad is connected to ground.