New Industry Products

TVS Array Targeted at Automotive Systems

November 24, 2015 by Jeff Shepard

Semtech Corporation announced the RClamp0524PQ, a 4-line integrated Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) array targeted at protecting automotive data lines against electrical transient threats. Today's cars come equipped with a variety of infotainment, navigation and camera assist systems that require high-speed interfaces to transport data. Inadequate ESD protection for these interfaces can lead to substantial replacement or repair costs.

By offering a 20 percent reduction in clamping voltage and an enhanced ESD immunity level (±25kV air discharge and a ±15kV contact discharge) along with an ultra-low capacitance rating, the RClamp0524PQ addresses the protection needs of the high-speed data lines found in today’s cars, including LVDS and HDMI.

The requirement that protection components minimally affect the signal integrity of high-speed signal lines is critical to ensuring data integrity. The optimized design of the RClamp0524PQ allows the device to achieve excellent results on established compliance tests that measure signal integrity in HDMI and LVDS lines. The stable and very low capacitance enables the device to reside on high-speed data lines without compromising key signal performance metrics. The flow-through structure of the package facilitates optimal trace routings for system designs and provides an additional safety margin for meeting signal integrity requirements.

“Today’s car manufacturers are increasingly employing high-speed data transmission technologies in automotive infotainment applications,” said Rick Hansen, Product Marketing Director for Semtech’s Protection Products. “The RClamp0524PQ not only exceeds the stringent ESD immunity requirements common on automotive designs, but also affords automotive designers superior quality and performance to satisfy the EMC requirements on high-end car platforms.”

Key Features of the RClamp0524PQ include: Transient protection for high-speed data lines to: IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD) ±25kV (air), ±15kV (contact); IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT) 40A (5/50ns); IEC 61000-4-5 (Lightning) 4A (8/20μs); 5V working voltage protection; Protects 4 I/O lines; Low capacitance (<0.4pF line-to-line); Ultra-small 2.5mm x 1.0mm package; and Pb Free and RoHS/WEEE compliant. The RClamp0524PQ (order code: RClamp0524PQTCT) is available immediately in production quantities and is priced at $0.33 each in 10,000-piece lots.