IP Library Granted Patent US 6,980,409
Granted Patent B2
US 6,980,409 · App. 11/003,332 · Granted Dec 27, 2005

Protective circuit for semiconductor device

Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp.; Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,980,409
App. No.
11/003,332
Granted
Dec 27, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A high impedance can be maintained at a back gate of a MOS transistor constituting a CMOS integrated circuit when power is not supplied, and is switched to an impedance lower than the impedance in use of the CMOS integrated circuit by a switch driven by a power supply of the CMOS integrated circuit. Thus, it is possible to prevent surge breakdown and electrostatic breakdown, and to prevent occurrence of latch up breakdown.

Claims (9)

1. A protective circuit for a semiconductor device comprising:

an electrode pad;

a first MOS transistor which is connected between the electrode pad and a terminal of a power source;

a second MOS transistor which is connected between the electrode pad and a ground;

an impedance applying unit which applies a first impedance to a back gate of the second MOS transistor; and

a switch which performance switching operation to a second impedance which is lower than the first impedance applied by the impedance applying unit after a voltage is applied to the terminal of the power source.

2. The protective circuit for a semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the first MOS transistor is a PMOS transistor, and the second MOS transistor is an NMOS transistor.

3. The protective circuit for a semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the switch comprises a MOS transistor which is connected between the back gate of the second NMOS transistor and the ground, wherein the MOS transistor become energized after the voltage is applied to the terminal of the power source.

4. The protective circuit for a semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode pad is an output electrode pad, and both of the first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor are output MOS transistors.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044928/0001 →
MERGER Recorded Nov 28, 2017
From: RENESAS SYSTEM DESIGN CO., LTD.
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044921/0873 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 24, 2017
From: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
To: RENESAS SYSTEM DESIGN CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 043668/0291 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 15, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024990/0129 →
MERGER Recorded Sep 15, 2010
From: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024990/0153 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2002-110485 · Apr 12, 2002 · national
Continuity (2)
Division 1026787600 · Oct 10, 2002
Related Publication 20050094334A1 · May 5, 2005