Protecting High-Speed Data Lines from Electrostatic Discharge Threats

Semtech Corporation announced the latest addition to the RClamp® platform, an ultra-low capacitance 3.5V (Vrwm) transient voltage protection array designed to offer superior protection for high-speed data signals, including USB 3.1 and LVDS, from electrostatic discharge (ESD) and other voltage transients.

“The ESD protection margins on today’s high-speed signal interfaces are thinner than ever before,” said Tee Lim, Product Marketing Director for Semtech’s Protection Products Group. “The newest member to our RClamp portfolio, with its flow-through design, provides an excellent low-clamping voltage ESD protection solution to safeguard high-speed differential pairs while at the same time preserving signal integrity on highly sensitive data lines.”

The RClamp3552T offers an extremely low ESD clamping voltage while presenting a minimal capacitance of 0.40pF. This protection platform is targeted at the emerging high-speed signal lines in consumer electronics, telecommunications and industrial infrastructure.

These high-speed ports require increasingly lower ESD clamping voltage thresholds with minimal capacitance loading from the ESD protection. The new 2-line RClamp device achieves low ESD clamping voltage by using Semtech’s differentiated snap-back processes, which significantly limits the transient energy presented to the circuit.

Additionally, the flow-through layout of the platform’s package design enhances signal integrity and gives system circuit designers maximum flexibility in the PCB layout.

Key Features of the RClamp3552T

• Transient protection for high-speed data lines: IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD) ±20kV (air), ±17kV (Contact); IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT) 4kV (5/50 ns); IEC 61000-4-5 (Lightning) 4A (8/20 μs)
• Low 3.5V working voltage protection
• Safeguards two I/O data lines
• Presents very low capacitance (<0.4 pF line-to-line)
• Ultra-small 3-pin flow-through package: 1.0mm x 0.6mm
• Pb Free and RoHS/WEEE compliant

Pricing and Availability

The RClamp3552T (order code: RClamp3552T.TNT) is available immediately in production quantities. Semtech offers comprehensive design assistance, including field and factory-based support. Data sheets, volume pricing, and delivery quotes, as well as evaluation kits and samples, are available.