New Industry Products

Semtech Introduces Three Low-Voltage, Single-Line Protection Devices

September 27, 2006 by Jeff Shepard

Semtech Corp. announced three new, single-line versions of its uClamp™ protection products designed for portable devices with low voltage levels, starting at 3.3V. The uClamp3301P is designed to protect 3.3V lines, the uClamp0501P is designed to protect 5V lines, and the uClamp1201P is designed to protect 12V lines. The devices are housed in an ultra-small, leadfree SLP package (1.0 x 0.6 x 0.5 mm) to save board space. All three devices exceed the IEC 61000-4-2 ESD standard of +/-15kV (air), +/-8kV (contact). Each device is also RoHS/WEEE compliant.

The new products are part of Semtech's MicroClamp™ ESD protection family and complement the full range of multi-line protection devices giving portable device designers the flexibility to protect isolated lines or ICs. The uClamp3301P is optimized for protecting new low-voltage input/output (IO) lines, while the uClamp0501P is targeted at more mainstream 5V applications, and the uClamp1201P is designed for higher-voltage battery lines. All parts are solid-state technology and have very low clamping voltages to provide maximum protection for sensitive circuits.

The company claims that the uClamp3301P is the first 3.3V single-line protection device available on the market. It is constructed using Semtech's patented enhanced punch through (EPT) TVS process technology, which the company has successfully used to yield true 3.3 operating voltages on multi-line devices including the uClamp3324P and the uClamp3304A. Among the devices' key features: working voltage of 3.3V (3301P), 5V (0501P) and 12V (1201P); ultra-small form factor (1.0 x 0.6 x 0.5 mm); protects one I/O or power line; low clamping voltage; low leakage current; exceeds IEC 61000-4-2 data line ESD protection (±15kV-air; ±8kV-contact); and meets IEC 61000-4-4 data line EFT/Cable Discharge Event protection (40A with tp=5/50ns).

The uClamp3301P, uClamp0501P and uClamp1201P are available immediately in production quantities. The uClamp3301P.TCT is priced at $0.22 each in 1,000-piece lots, the uClamp0501P.TCT is priced at $0.21 each in 1,000-piece lots, and the uClamp1201P.TCT is priced at $0.25 each in 1,000-piece lots. Semtech also offers comprehensive design assistance, including field- and factory-based support.