Texas Instruments Incorporated
Series connected ESD protection circuit

Abstract:

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit (FIG. 2A) for an integrated circuit is disclosed. The circuit is formed on a substrate (P-EPI) having a first conductivity type. A buried layer (NBL 240) having a second conductivity type is formed below a face of the substrate. A first terminal (206) and a second terminal (204) are formed at a face of the substrate. A first ESD protection device (232) has a first current path between the first terminal and the buried layer. A second ESD protection device (216) has a second current path in series with the first current path and between the second terminal and the buried layer.