Ultra-Low Capacitance 24V TVS Device for Automotive Antennas

Semtech Corporation announced the RClamp2431TQ, a single-line transient voltage suppression (TVS) device engineered to protect automotive antennas from electrostatic discharge (ESD). With the rapid proliferation of wireless communications in automobiles, the number of antennas needing robust ESD protection has increased. The RClamp2431TQ, part of Semtech's AEC-Q100 protection platform, offers a unique combination of low-clamping ESD protection with an ultra-low capacitance rating, making it well-suited for safeguarding car antennas against the harsh electrical transient threats present in vehicles.

The ultra-low capacitance of the RClamp2431TQ enables it to operate on high bandwidth antennas without compromising the signal integrity of the radio frequency (RF) link. With a 24V working voltage, this device is well-suited for safeguarding emerging applications like near field communication antennas. In addition to low-capacitance, RF links require a high working voltage TVS with sufficient low ESD clamping voltage performance. When compared to existing standard polymer devices, the RClamp2431TQ achieves as much as 40 percent reduction in ESD peak clamping voltage.

“The newest vehicles coming off today’s assembly lines are equipped with more advanced wireless communications antennas – from GPS to Bluetooth to V2V and NFC,” said Rick Hansen, Product Marketing Director for Semtech’s Protection Product Group. “The RClamp2431TQ provides significant clamping voltage advantages over traditional polymer-based devices while also presenting sufficiently low capacitance on the RF signal path. We are very pleased with the way the market has already adopted this RClamp2431TQ protection solution.”

Key Features of the RClamp2431TQ include: Transient protection for high-speed signal lines: IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD); 24V working voltage protection for one I/O line; Ultra-small package size: 1.0mm x 0.6mm; and Low capacitance: 0.35pF line-to-line. The RClamp2431TQ (order code: RClamp2431TQTCT) is available immediately in production quantities and is priced at $0.33 each in 10,000-piece lots.