Patent ID: 8493705

Claim:
A radio frequency (RF) transmitter comprising: a power amplifier having an input that is configured to receive RF signals and an output that is configured to transmit the amplified RF signals to an antenna; and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit that is electrically coupled to the output of the power amplifier, wherein the ESD protection circuit includes a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) that is electrically coupled to the output of the power amplifier, an ESD detection circuit that is configured to trigger the SCR responsive to detecting an electrostatic discharge on an ESD bus, an ESD clamp circuit that is coupled to the first voltage line; at least one ESD component electrically coupled between the ESD bus and the first voltage line; and at least one ESD component coupled between the SCR and a second voltage line having a lower voltage value than the first voltage line.