Patent ID: 6518815
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A MOS-type protected power device, comprising: a power device having vertical conduction with a first body and comprising a first conduction terminal and a second conduction terminal, and a control terminal; and a variable-resistance protection circuit having horizontal conduction with a second body different from the first body of the power device and comprising a first conduction terminal and a second conduction terminal connected, respectively, to said control terminal and to said second conduction terminal of said power device, said protection circuit having a resistance variable between a first value and a second value according to an operating condition of said power device, the resistance coupled between the first conduction terminal of the protection circuit and the control terminal, the protection circuit configured to electrically connect the control terminal of the power device to the second conduction terminal of the power device in the absence of a driving signal on the control terminal and in the presence of a voltage supplied to the protection circuit from the power device.