Abstract: Some aspects relate to a device comprising a power circuit, a control circuit, a guard ring, a guard wall, and a voltage generator. The power circuit is disposed within a substrate and includes a transistor of a first type. The control circuit is disposed within the substrate and includes a transistor of a second type different from the first type, and is coupled to the power circuit. The guard ring includes a plurality of doped regions within the substrate, and the guard ring laterally surrounds the power circuit. The guard wall is disposed within the substrate and between the guard ring and the control circuit. The guard wall includes a first doped region laterally surrounding an insulating region, and a polysilicon region laterally surrounded by the insulating region. The voltage generator has a first terminal coupled to the first doped region of the guard wall.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first ground terminal, a second ground terminal, an output terminal, a transistor, a controller, and a resistor. The output terminal is configured to provide an output voltage. The transistor has a first terminal coupled to the output terminal, a second terminal coupled to the first ground terminal, and a control terminal. The controller has an output coupled to the control terminal, and a reference terminal coupled to the second ground terminal. The resistor has a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the transistor, and a second terminal coupled to the reference terminal.

Abstract: An electronic device with a protective circuit against damage by electrostatic discharge includes a discharge current path connectable between an input to be protected and a ground pin. An enabling circuit outputs a control signal for connecting the discharge current path in the event of an electrostatic discharge. A deactivating circuit which deactivates the enabling circuit during operation of the electronic device is controlled by the inverted control signal. A method of protecting an electronic device against damage by electrostatic discharge includes providing a control signal for connecting a discharge current path between an input to be protected and a ground pin in the event of an electrostatic discharge. An inverted control signal is applied to the inverted control signal to a deactivating circuit. The inverted control signal prevents connection of the discharge current path between the input to be protected and ground during operation of the electronic device.