SLVAEX7A December   2020  – January 2023 OPA2310 , OPA310 , OPA348 , OPA4310 , TLV341 , TLV341A , TLV342 , TLV342A

 

  1.   Abstract
  2.   Trademarks
  3. 1Introduction
  4. 2Standard Op Amp ESD Protection
    1. 2.1 Standard Op Amp ESD Protection: Structure
    2. 2.2 Standard Op Amp ESD Protection: Considerations
  5. 3Op Amp ESD Protection Without Input Diodes to V+
    1. 3.1 Op Amp ESD Protection Without Input Diodes to V+: Structure
    2. 3.2 Op Amp ESD Protection Without Input Diodes to V+: Considerations
  6. 4How to Measure the ESD Structure Current of an Op Amp
  7. 5Summary
  8. 6References
  9. 7Revision History
  10.   A Measured Data for Op Amps With Alternate ESD Protection

Abstract

All operational amplifier (op amp) input stages feature some sort of protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD). Most amplifiers accomplish this with diodes from both inputs and the output to both supply rails. While these diodes offer protection against ESD strikes, the diodes can also lead to undesirable current through the ESD structure when one, or both, of the inputs exceeds the V+ rail. Fortunately, there are a select few op amps with an alternative input ESD structure designed to prevent this undesired current. This application report covers the standard ESD protection structure and an alternative ESD protection structure. The document also shows different testing methods for observing the behavior of the ESD protection under device shutdown and measurement data from devices with protection structures that do not have diodes from the inputs to the V+ supply pin.