Patent ID: 7298599

Claim:
A snapback ESD protection network coupled across first and second integrated circuit pads, said network comprising: a first snapback device including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal; a second snapback device including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, with said second snapback device having a turnoff current that is at least ten times greater than a turnoff current of the first snapback device; a first connection circuit for electrically connecting the anode of the first snapback device to the first integrated circuit pad and electrically connecting the cathode of the first snapback device to the second integrated circuit pad, with the first connection circuit creating a first effective series resistance between the first and second integrated circuit pads and the first snapback device; and a second connection circuit for electrically connecting the anode terminal of the second snapback device to the first integrated circuit pad and electrically connecting the cathode terminal of the second snapback device to the second integrated circuit pad, with the second connection circuit creating a second effective series resistance between the first and second integrated circuit pads and the second snapback device greater than the first effective series resistance.