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Semiconductor apparatus and horizontal register for solid-state image pickup apparatus with protection circuit for bypassing an excess signal

  • US 5,641,981 A
  • Filed: 06/14/1996
  • Issued: 06/24/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An electric circuit, comprising:

  • a circuit section including a capacitor portion having a first node connected to a signal input line inputting a voltage signal thereto and a second node connected to a reference voltage line; and

    a protection circuit connected between said signal input line and said reference voltage line, said protection circuit protecting said capacitor portion such that, when said capacitor portion receives a voltage which would break said capacitor portion, an electric current flows between said signal input line and said reference voltage line through said protection circuit, wherein said protection circuit comprises;

    a first voltage line;

    a second voltage line whose voltage is higher than said reference voltage line;

    a first diode having a first anode and a first cathode, said first anode being connected to said first voltage line and said first cathode being connected to said signal input line;

    a second diode having a second anode and a second cathode, said second anode being connected to said signal input line and said second cathode being connected to said second voltage line;

    a third diode having a third anode and a third cathode, said third anode being connected to said first voltage line and said third cathode being connected to said reference voltage line; and

    a fourth diode having a fourth anode and a fourth cathode, said fourth anode being connected to said reference voltage line and said fourth cathode being connected to said second voltage line.

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