Patent ID: 6157530
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A structure comprising:a first power rail;a second power rail;a third power rail;a first single-rail Electrostatic-Discharge (ESD) protection circuit connected between the first power rail and the third power rail;a second single-rail ESD protection circuit connected between the second power rail and the third power rail comprising a level-shifter;a first series of diodes connected between the first power rail and the second power rail; anda second series of diodes connected between the level-shifter of the second single-rail ESD protection circuit and the first power rail and having a polarity orientation opposite to the first series of diodes;wherein the level shifter and the first series and second series of diodes are arranged between said first and second power rails to provide power-up sequence independence or power-down sequence independence between said first and second power rails.