Signal-powered integrated circuit with ESD protection
First Claim
1. A signal-powered integrated circuit, comprising:
- an integrated circuit die including a ground node, a supply node configured to provide a supply voltage to a plurality of circuits on the integrated circuit die, and a first terminal for receiving an input signal having data content and a predetermined energy;
a receive buffer formed on the integrated circuit die, connected to the first terminal and capable of receiving the data content associated with the input signal, the receive buffer having an output terminal configured to output the buffered input signal;
a rectifier formed on the integrated circuit die, the rectifier includinga first diode connected between the first terminal and the ground node, anda second diode connected between the first terminal and the supply node;
a transmit buffer having an input terminal and an output terminal that is connected to the first terminal of the integrated circuit die; and
a feedback path connected between the output terminal of the receive buffer and the input terminal of the transmit buffer, and configured such that the buffered input signal passes through the feedback path to the input terminal of the transmit buffer;
wherein;
the rectifier is capable of rectifying the input signal and passing at least a portion of the input signal'"'"'s predetermined energy to the supply node, andeach of the first and second diodes is capable of withstanding an ESD impulse.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a signal-powered integrated circuit (IC). The IC comprises an integrated circuit die including a ground node, a supply node, and a first terminal for receiving a digital data signal having data content and a predetermined energy. A receive buffer formed on the integrated circuit die is connected to the first terminal and capable of receiving the data content associated with the digital data signal. A rectifier is also formed on the integrated circuit die. The rectifier includes a first diode connected between the first terminal and the ground node and a second diode connected between the first terminal and the supply node. The rectifier is configured to rectify the digital data signal and pass at least a portion of the digital data signal'"'"'s predetermined energy to the supply node. Each of the first and second diodes is capable of withstanding an ESD impulse.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A signal-powered integrated circuit, comprising:
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an integrated circuit die including a ground node, a supply node configured to provide a supply voltage to a plurality of circuits on the integrated circuit die, and a first terminal for receiving an input signal having data content and a predetermined energy; a receive buffer formed on the integrated circuit die, connected to the first terminal and capable of receiving the data content associated with the input signal, the receive buffer having an output terminal configured to output the buffered input signal; a rectifier formed on the integrated circuit die, the rectifier including a first diode connected between the first terminal and the ground node, and a second diode connected between the first terminal and the supply node; a transmit buffer having an input terminal and an output terminal that is connected to the first terminal of the integrated circuit die; and a feedback path connected between the output terminal of the receive buffer and the input terminal of the transmit buffer, and configured such that the buffered input signal passes through the feedback path to the input terminal of the transmit buffer; wherein; the rectifier is capable of rectifying the input signal and passing at least a portion of the input signal'"'"'s predetermined energy to the supply node, and each of the first and second diodes is capable of withstanding an ESD impulse. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of powering an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first input signal having data content and a predetermined energy at a first terminal of the integrated circuit; passing a first portion of the first input signal through a first receive buffer to produce a first buffered input signal; passing the first buffered input signal through a first feedback path to an input terminal of a first transmit buffer having a first output terminal connected to the first terminal of the integrated circuit; rectifying a second portion of the first input signal via a first diode connected between the first terminal and a ground node of the integrated circuit, and a second diode connected between the first terminal and a supply node configured to provide a supply voltage to a plurality of circuits on the integrated circuit; and storing at least a portion of the first input signal'"'"'s predetermined energy at the supply node; wherein each of the first and second diodes is capable of withstanding an ESD impulse. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification