US 12,438,362 B2
Electrostatic discharge trigger circuit using voltage detection circuit to detect occurrence of electrostatic discharge event and associated method
Po-Ya Lai, Hsinchu (TW)
Assigned to MEDIATEK INC., Hsinchu (TW)
Filed by MEDIATEK INC., Hsin-Chu (TW)
Filed on Jul. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/220,282.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/371,643, filed on Aug. 17, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0063633 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. H02H 9/04 (2006.01)
CPC H02H 9/046 (2013.01) 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) trigger circuit comprising:
a voltage detection circuit, arranged to detect occurrence of an ESD event on an ESD-protected supply voltage according to the ESD-protected supply voltage and an additional supply voltage, and assert an enable signal in response to the ESD event being detected on the ESD-protected supply voltage, wherein the additional supply voltage is independent of the ESD-protected supply voltage; and
a trigger circuit, arranged to control activation of ESD protection for the ESD-protected supply voltage according to the enable signal;
wherein the voltage detection circuit comprises:
a reference voltage generator circuit, arranged to generate a reference voltage according to the additional supply voltage; and
a voltage comparator circuit, arranged to set the enable signal by comparing an input voltage and the reference voltage, wherein the input voltage is derived from the ESD-protected supply voltage.