Patent ID: 8570694
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
1. A protection circuit for protecting components from an electrostatic discharge at a first node in an integrated circuit having a first set of electronic components, the first set of electronic components having a first voltage sensitivity, the first set of electronic components being supplied with a voltage supply by a second node, the protection circuit comprising: a first switching device connected between the first node and the second node; a second switching device connected between the first node and ground; a third switching device connected between the second node and ground; and detection circuitry arranged to detect an electrostatic discharge at the first node and in response to said detection, to control the switching devices such that: the first switching device is switched off to isolate the first set of electronic components from the first node, the second switching device provides a current path from the first node to ground, and the third switching device provides a current path between the second node and ground, bypassing the first set of components.