Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) device for protecting a power amplifier circuit is disclosed. The ESD device comprises a first ESD protection circuit coupled between a positive terminal of a supply voltage and a negative terminal of the supply voltage, and a second ESD protection circuit coupled between the negative terminal of the supply voltage and an output terminal of the power amplifier circuit, wherein a first current path is formed from the positive terminal to the output terminal through the first and second ESD protection circuits. A circuit device operative to increase impedance of a second current path from the positive terminal to the output terminal through the power amplifier circuit to divert current from the second current path to the first current path in the course of an ESD event.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for protecting a transistor from electrostatic discharge (ESD) current associated with an ESD event. In one embodiment, a system comprises a detection circuit operative to detect an ESD event and a switch that is operative to hold the transistor in a deactivated state in response to the detection circuit detecting the ESD event. The system further comprises an ESD protection circuit operative to divert the ESD current from flowing through the transistor upon the transistor being held in a deactivated state.