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Device for the protection of an integrated circuit against power supply cuts

  • US 5,473,496 A
  • Filed: 08/02/1993
  • Issued: 12/05/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A circuit, comprising:

  • an integrated circuit having connections for a first supply voltage, a second positive supply voltage, and a third positive supply voltage which is higher than said second positive supply voltage;

    a load element connected to said third supply voltage;

    an N-channel field-effect transistor connected to be controlled by said second supply voltage;

    said load element and said N-channel field-effect transistor being operatively connected in series between said first and third supply voltages; and

    a P-channel field-effect transistor connected between said third supply voltage and a corresponding one of said connections of said integrated circuit, and connected to be controlled by a node between said load element and said N-channel field-effect transistor;

    whereby, when said second supply voltage falls below the threshold voltage of said N-channel field-effect transistor, said N-channel field-effect transistor turns off and ceases to pull down the down the potential of said node, and thereby permits said P-channel field-effect transistor to turn off and disconnect said integrated circuit from said third supply voltage.

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