ESD protection devices protect high-speed automotive interfaces

Nexperia has introduced a new range of ESD protection devices, aimed at protecting high-speed interfaces in automotive applications, particularly the in-vehicle networks (IVN) associated with infotainment and vehicle communications. As electronic content continues to grow in automotive applications, together with high data rates, it becomes a challenge to provide the correct type of protection, said Nexperia.

The new PESD4USBx series, built on Nexperia’s TrEOS technology that delivers low capacitance, low clamping voltage, and high ESD robustness, is comprised of twelve high-performance, 4-channel ESD protection devices. The devices offer very low line capacitance for each channel (as low as 0.25 pF) and sub-0.05 pF line matching capacitance to ensure signal integrity.

All devices, housed in DFN2510D packages, offer deep snapback combined with a low resistance of 0.4 Ω. With ESD protection up to ±15 kV, the PESD4USBx series meets IEC61000-4-2 level 4 and ISO10605. This is the highest level of ESD protection currently available in this package size, said Nexperia, making the devices suited for densely-packed, automotive designs. In addition, the devices exceed the requirements of AEC-Q101 by a factor of two, according to the company.

The protection devices support a variety of interface standards including USB 2.0, Superspeed USB at 10 Gbits/s, HDMI 2.0, HDBaseT for infotainment applications and automotive A/V monitors, displays, and cameras. They  also support video links (SerDes): GMSL, FPD-Link and LVDS.

The devices are housed in DFN2510D packages (SOT1165D and SOT1176D) with side-wettable flanks (SWF) that allow for automatic optical inspection (AOI). Samples and volume production is available.

Nexperia also recently introduced three TrEOS devices that combine two ESD protection diodes in one miniature DFN0603-3 package for space savings and increased reliability that support high-speed data rates.