TVS diode arrays safeguard ultra-high-speed data lines from low voltage transient spikes

Littelfuse, Inc. offers the new SPxxR6, a series of four-channel, low capacitance (0.2pF) TVS diode arrays. These robust diodes deliver extremely low breakdown/turn-on voltages, making them excellent protectors of high-speed data lines with low voltage (-0.3V to +0.3V). Without performance degradation, they can safely absorb repetitive ESD strikes beyond the maximum level specified in IEC 61000-4-2 international standard (Level 4, ±8kV contact discharge).

The devices are ideal for usage in a wide range of data communications interfaces for consumer electronics, including USB 3.2 and 4.0, Thunderbolt 3.0 and 4.0, and PCI Express 6.0.

“The chipsets from USB 4.0 suppliers are known to be particularly susceptible to damage from voltages over 3.3V,” said Zhu Jia, product marketing manager Diode Arrays at Littelfuse. “The SP33R6 and SP00R6 TVS diode array series provide an exceptional solution for the protection of high-speed interfaces like USB 4.0 against repeated ESD strikes.”

Jia continues, “Using a multiline package footprint (SP33R6) or 0201-package (SP00R6) likely already on the circuit board; design engineers can expect ten times lower pass-through voltage when compared with existing solutions currently on the market.”