TVS diodes offer low clamping voltages to boost reliability

January 19, 2012 // Paul Buckley

Infineon Technologies AG has introduced a new series of TVS Diodes (Transient Voltage Suppression) which claim to improve a system's robustness against electrostatic discharge (ESD) events that can cause serious catastrophic or latent disturbances in consumer electronics products such as smart phones, tablets, eBooks and other portable computers.

The new silicon devices are specially designed for protection of internal electronic circuits that interface with external connectors like headphone jacks, keypads and touch displays. During routine use, these external connectors can act as entry points for electrostatic discharges (ESD) as they are directly exposed to the external world.      

Implemented close to the external interface, Infineon's new ESD5V3L1B diodes provide a low resistance path to ESD events and shunt the dangerous transient energy away from the downstream IC (Integrated Circuit). Each TVS diode is bidirectional and suited to protect a single line with operating voltages within and up to ±5.3 V. The new diodes are particularly suited for protection of audio CODECs (enCOder/DECoder) and human interface devices like keypads, keyboards, convenience buttons and touch screens.      

Infineon's ESD5V3L1B TVS Diodes feature industry leading performance in key parameters for ESD protection of electronic circuits, including:   Efficient protection performance at all ESD severity levels thanks to ultralow clamping voltage and ultralow dynamic resistance of only 0.22 Ω. Thus Infineon's diodes are above two times more efficient than the next best alternative in the market for same category of requirements.  Robust ESD absorption capability of at least ±20,000 V contact discharge, exceeding IEC61000-4-2 industry's standard (8,000 V),  Low leakage current drain that is ideal for application in battery-powered equipment.     

With semiconductor feature sizes continuing to shrink, the Infineon TVS diodes are of special value for miniature and slim applications where space is a premium. As a pioneer of world's smallest TVS diodes Infineon has created these two products in packages that measure only 0.62 x 0.32 x 0.31 mm (TSSLP-2-1, equivalent to EIA0201 size) and 1.0 x 0.6 x 0.39 mm (TSLP-2, equivalent to EIA0402 size). With a package's height down to 0.31 mm the new TVS diodes can meet the most stringent thickness requirements for integration into modern smart phones, tablets and eBooks among other devices.      

For increasing ESD system robustness and faster protection design Infineon offers a comprehensive library of simulation models for TVS Diodes as well as expert's consultancy supporting an accurate selection of the protection device.

The ESD5V3L1B devices and evaluation boards are available as of now. Both TSSLP-2 and TSLP-2 packages are fully compliant with RoHs and halogen-free directives.      

More information about Infineon's TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressor) diodes at www.infineon.com/tvsdiodes