STMicroelectronics Introduces Ultra-Large-Bandwidth ESD Protection for HDMI Connections

STMicroelectronics Introduces Ultra-Large-Bandwidth ESD Protection for HDMI Connections

STMicroelectronics has enlarged its portfolio of ultra-low-capacitance protection ICs for the high-definition video market. The new device allows a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), to operate at full HDMI speed of 1.65 Gbit/s and even up to 3.2 Gbit/s, with full 15kV contact and air Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection.

Protecting high-speed data ports is particularly challenging. Any capacitive loading introduced by protection devices can significantly degrade the signal integrity. This is particularly significant at the high data rates required by HDMI connections in computer and consumer electronics. Previous solutions on the market typically presented a capacitive loading of several pico-Farads, which is high enough to require designers to make difficult trade-offs between the level of protection and the resulting signal degradation at typical working data rates.

The ultra-low line capacitance (0.6pF) of the HDMIULC6-4SC6 provides a new level of performance. For the first time, designers can protect these high-speed interfaces against 15kV air and contact discharges, above IEC 61000-4-2 level 4 standard, while minimizing distortion of the HDMI signal.