Patent ID: 6101077
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
An electrostatic protection circuit of a semiconductor device comprising:a first MOS transistor of specific conductive type having a gate, drain and source in which said drain is connected to an output terminal and said source is connected to a first power terminal and which is turned on/off by a signal received by said gate; anda second MOS transistor of said specific conductive type having a gate, drain and source in which said drain thereof is connected to said output terminal and said source is connected to said gate of said first MOS transistor and wherein said second MOS transistor is ordinarily turned off by connecting said gate thereof to the first power terminal, and said second MOS transistor has a withstanding voltage between said drain and source which is lower than the withstanding voltage between the drain and said source of said first MOS transistor such that an electrostatic discharge applied to said second MOS transistor causes a breakdown current to flow between the source and drain of said second MOS transistor which acts to turn on said first MOS transistor for carrying said electrostatic discharge to said first power terminal.