ON Semi Expands ESD Protection Portfolio With Ultra-Low-Capacitance Technology

ON Semiconductor announced the expansion of its high-performance off-chip ESD protection portfolio with the introduction of what are described as two best-in-class devices – the ESD7L5.0D and the NUP4212. These new products have been designed using ON Semiconductor’s propriety integrated ESD protection platform, which is said to enhance clamping performance while maintaining low capacitance and small die size.

The ESD7L5.0D protects two high-speed data lines at 0.5pF capacitance per line in the 1.2 x 1.2 x 0.5mm SOT-723 package. The company claims that integrating its low-capacitance technology into a 3-pin package provides the designer with a solution to protect the D+ and D- lines of a USB2.0 port with a single device. The ESD7L5.0D can also be connected cathode to cathode to protect a single bi-directional line at 0.25pF, well suited for protecting high-frequency RF antenna lines.

The NUP4212 protects four high-speed data lines at 0.7pF per line and 2 Vcc power lines in the compact 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.5mm UDFN-6 package. This enables the designer to protect the D+ and D- lines plus the Vcc line on two USB ports with a single integrated solution.

The company claims that both new devices share key features which distinguish its proprietary technology from competitive offerings. The ESD7L5.0D and NUP4212 are capable of clamping an input ESD waveform of 15kV to less than 7V in a matter of nanoseconds, ensuring the highest levels of protection for today’s ESD sensitive integrated circuits (IC). According to ON Semi, other low-capacitance off-chip ESD protection technologies, such as polymer and ceramic-based varistors, offer low capacitance, but their ESD clamping voltage is significantly higher than the ON Semiconductor solution. In addition, the ON Semiconductor silicon devices are free from wearout mechanisms that affect the reliability and performance of passive technologies after multiple surge events such as ESD.

"ON Semiconductor is continuing to expand its leadership in high-performance ESD protection solutions with the introduction of ultra-low-capacitance products targeting high-speed data applications," said Mamoon Rashid, ON Semiconductor Vice President and General Manager of the company’s Discrete Products Division. "Next-generation portable applications require improved performance and increased design flexibility at higher and higher data rates. ON Semiconductor continues to respond to this trend by introducing a complete family of low-capacitance ESD protection solutions."

The ESD7L5.0DT5G is available in a SOT-723 package and is priced at $0.20 USD per unit in 8,000-unit quantities. The NUP4212 is available in a UDFN-6 package and is priced at $0.608 USD per unit in 3,000-unit quantities.