A circuit for protecting a power amplifier from electrostatic discharge
(ESD) that comprises a clamp circuit connected between a first power line
and a connection line, and a detecting circuit connected between the
connection line and a second power line for detecting whether an ESD
event occurs at a conductive pad coupled to the power amplifier and
activating the clamp circuit in response to an ESD event, wherein an ESD
current due to the ESD event is conducted by the clamp circuit to the
first power line.