Protection of high voltage power and programming pins

Abstract

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of an integrated circuit's (IC's) high voltage power pins is achieved without damage to thin oxides by dividing the steady-state voltage and arranging weak forward bias of the diodes of a cantilever clamp. Also, Vpp programming pins are protected by cantilever clamps of various kinds, including some which turn on when breakdown is detected and turn off after Vcc is powered up.