Patent ID: 7408751

Claim:
A method for protecting an integrated circuit device from electrostatic discharge, the integrated circuit device operating in a normal voltage range that includes both positive and negative voltage levels, the method comprising: providing a bipolar junction protection transistor electrically coupled to an input/output connection of the integrated circuit, the protection transistor having a collector coupled to the input/output connection, an emitter coupled to an electrical sink and a base, the protection transistor positioned to conduct an electrostatic charge between the input/output connection and the electrical sink; biasing the protection transistor such that the protection transistor in a non-conductive state when a negative voltage within the normal operating voltage range of the integrated circuit is received at said input/output connection; biasing the protection transistor such that the protection transistor in a non-conductive state when a positive voltage within the normal operating voltage range of the integrated circuit is received at said input/output connection; and biasing the protection transistor such that the protection transistor conducts current to the electrical sink upon an electrostatic discharge event at the input/output connection.