Nexperia delivers low clamping bidirectional ESD protection devices for USB4 standard interfaces
Two PESD5V0R1BxSF low clamping and capacitance bidirectional electrostatic discharge protection diodes have been launched by Nexperia. Based on Nexperia’s TrEOS technology with active silicon-controlled rectification, the devices help ensure optimal signal integrity for USB4TM (up to 2 x 20 Gbps) data lines on laptops and peripherals, smartphones and other portable electronic equipment.
The PESD5V0R1BDSF is optimised for low clamping and offers low insertion loss figures of ‑0.28 dB at 10 GHz and similarly low return loss figures of ‑19 dB at 10 GHz. The PESD5V0R1BCSF is optimised for RF performance with insertion loss data of -0.25 dB and return loss data of -19.4 dB at 10 GHz each. This makes it suitable for applications with further limited budgets for insertion loss and return loss.
“Since there are tight budgets on insertion loss and return loss for the USB4TM Super Speed lines, Nexperia supports design engineers by offering devices that minimise the impact of ESD protection on the total budget,” says Stefan Seider, senior product manager at Nexperia. “By providing these two device options, engineers can balance between ESD voltage clamping (that is protection level) and RF performance.”
Both devices are housed in the ultra-low inductance DSN0603-2 (SOD962-2) leadless package, with a standard 0.6 mm x 0.3 mm footprint and 0.3 mm profile, with return-loss optimised solder pads. For USB4TM, it is mandatory to have AC-coupling capacitors also for the receiver (Rx) inputs. The voltage rating VRWM of the PESD5V0R1BxSF devices (>2.8 V) allows them to be placed directly behind the connector, which is the preferred position to include these capacitors in the protection and to achieve best system-level ESD performance.
This voltage rating makes the devices backwards compatible with all standards that can connect over USB Type-C.
Along with USB4TM, this includes USB 3.2, the older USB3.x as well as ThunderboltTM and HDMI2.1 (in HDMI Alt Mode) data lines, with HDMI2.1 data rates being supported up to 48 Gbps (4 x 12) and ThunderboltTM up to 40 Gbps (2 x 20). At the same time, TrEOS technology ensures low ESD voltage clamping to protect sensitive transceivers.
