An integrated circuit having a CML driver including a driver biasing network. A first output pad and a second output pad are connected to a voltage pad. A first driver is connected to the first output pad and the voltage pad. A second driver is connected to the second output pad and the voltage pad. A first ESD circuit is connected to the voltage pad, the first output pad, and the first driver. A second ESD circuit is connected to the voltage pad, the second output pad, and the second driver. The first ESD circuit biases the first driver toward a voltage of the voltage pad when an ESD event occurs at the first output pad, and the second ESD circuit biases the second driver toward the voltage of the voltage pad when an ESD event occurs at the second output pad.

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus is provided. A first power rail provides first reference voltage. A second power rail provides a second reference voltage. A detection circuit generates a detection result according to whether ESD stress occurs on the first power rail. A first N-type MOSFET has its gate serving as a control terminal. A second N-type MOSFET has its gate serving as a second control node. An intermediate power rail provides an intermediate voltage between the first and the second reference voltages. A first switching circuit couples the first control node to the intermediate power rail or to the first power rail according to the detection result. A second switching circuit couples the second control node to the second power rail or to the first control node according to the detection result.

A first power line configured to receive a first voltage, a second power line configured to receive a second voltage which is lower than the first voltage, a first clamping unit configured to be connected to the first power line, a second clamping unit configured to be connected between the first clamping unit and the second power line, and a discharging unit configured to, when an abnormal voltage introduced through the first power line or the second power line is applied, discharge the abnormal voltage by coupling with the first clamping unit or the second clamping unit are included.

A diode string having a plurality of diodes for ESD protection of a CMOS IC device comprises a first diode and a last diode in the diode string, wherein the first diode and the last diode are both formed on a bottom layer in a silicon substrate, and remaining diodes in the diode string. The remaining diodes are formed on a top layer placed on top of the bottom layer. The diode string further comprises a plurality of conductive lines that connect the first diode and the last diode on the bottom layer sequentially with the remaining diodes on the top layer to form a three dimensional (3D) structure of the diode string.

As an example, a circuit is provided. The circuit includes an ESD (electrostatic discharge) clamping circuit with a control signal controlling clamping operations of the ESD clamping circuit. The circuit further includes a counter coupled to the control signal of the ESD clamping circuit. The counter produces a set of output signals responsive to the control signal. The circuit also includes a communications interface for coupling to the set of output signals of the counter. The communications interface also couples to communications circuitry external to the circuit.

A semiconductor device is provided. The device comprises: a first transistor that includes a first primary terminal, a second primary terminal and a first control terminal; a second transistor that includes a third primary terminal, a fourth primary terminal and a second control terminal; and a resistive element. The first and third primary terminal are connected to a first voltage line. The second primary terminal and one terminal of the resistive element are connected to a second voltage line. The first and second control terminal, the fourth primary terminal and the other terminal of the resistive element are connected to a node. A potential change in the third primary terminal is transmitted to the first control terminal by capacitive coupling between the third primary terminal and the node, turning on the first transistor.

A first power line configured to receive a first voltage, a second power line configured to receive a second voltage which is lower than the first voltage, a first clamping unit configured to be connected to the first power line, a second clamping unit configured to be connected between the first clamping unit and the second power line, and a discharging unit configured to, when an abnormal voltage introduced through the first power line or the second power line is applied, discharge the abnormal voltage by coupling with the first clamping unit or the second clamping unit are included.

An integrated circuit includes first, second and third transistors, and an RC circuit. The first transistor is connected between a power supply terminal and a reference terminal. The first transistor has a first control terminal. The second transistor is connected between the power supply terminal and the first control terminal. The second transistor has a second control terminal. The third transistor is connected between the first control terminal and the reference terminal. The RC circuit includes a resistor and a capacitor connected to the second control terminal and configured to turn on the first transistor responsive to a rise time of voltage of the power supply terminal being less than a predetermined threshold.

An electrostatic protection circuit, a display panel, and a display apparatus are disclosed. The electrostatic protection circuit comprises a switch control unit, a first electrostatic storage unit configured to store charges, and a second electrostatic storage unit configured to store charges, wherein the first electrostatic storage unit has a first terminal connected to a driving line and a second terminal connected to the switch control unit, and the second electrostatic storage unit has a first terminal connected to the switch control unit and a second terminal connected to a common electrode trace. With the first electrostatic storage unit connected to the driving line and the second electrostatic storage unit connected to the common electrode trace, the electrostatic protection circuit, the display panel, and the display apparatus according to the present disclosure can prevent leakage current on the driving line from flowing into the common electrode trace or prevent leakage current on the common electrode trace from flowing into the driving line after the switch control unit is switched off, which otherwise causes voltage fluctuation on the driving line or the common electrode trace thereby affecting the display quality.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor die includes: forming a power HEMT (high-electron-mobility transistor) in a III-nitride semiconductor substrate, the power HEMT having a gate, a source and a drain; monolithically integrating a first gate driver HEMT with the power HEMT in the III-nitride semiconductor substrate, the first gate driver HEMT having a gate, a source and a drain and logically forming part of a driver; and electrically connecting the first gate driver HEMT to the gate of the power HEMT so that the first gate driver HEMT is operable to turn the power HEMT off or on responsive to an externally-generated control signal received from the driver or other device.