Patent attributes
A power supply cell for distributing power supplied from a first voltage supply to an integrated circuit is disclosed. The power supply cell comprises: a layer comprising conductive material, the conductive material providing a conduction path for current flowing from the first voltage supply to a portion of the integrated circuit to be powered and further providing a protection path for surge current flowing between the first voltage supply and an electrostatic discharge protection device and between the electrostatic discharge protection device and the second voltage supply; the conductive material forming a first conduction path for providing a path for current flowing between the first voltage supply and the portion of the integrated circuit to be powered and for providing a portion of the protection path for surge current flowing between the first voltage supply and the electrostatic discharge protection device and a second conduction path for providing a further portion of the protection path for surge current flowing between the second voltage supply and the electrostatic discharge protection device; wherein the conductive material is arranged such that the first conduction path has a significantly lower resistance than the second conduction path.
