Littelfuse has introduced four  solutions for general purpose ESD protection TVS Diode Arrays (SPA Diode) that occupy less board space than similar industry offerings. The SP1013 and SP1014 TVS Diode Arrays fit into a standard 0201 footprint but offer a 30% reduction in the board space required over other 0201 outline solutions, allowing more clearance between components. The SP1020 and SP1021 Series are packaged in the industry’s smallest ESD protection footprint, a 01005 flip chip, while providing nearly 78% lower capacitance than similar market solutions.

All four products feature back-to-back zener diodes to protect electronic equipment that may experience destructive electrostatic discharges (ESD). The back-to-back configuration provides symmetrical ESD protection for data or signal lines when AC signals are present. These robust diodes can safely absorb repetitive ESD strikes above the maximum level specified in the IEC61000-4-2 international standard (Level 4, ±8kV contact discharge) without performance degradation. 

“These TVS Diode Arrays were developed in response to customers in the wireless and wearable device markets who wanted high ESD protection performance in the smallest practical footprints,” said Tim Micun, product manager for the TVS Diode Arrays line. “They provide very high levels of immunity to ESD attack and surge attack, which helps extend the useful lives of the end-products into which they’re built.”

The new TVS Diode Arrays offer these key benefits:

  • With a package outline smaller than a 0201 footprint (just 0.52mm x 0.27mm), the SP1013 and SP1014 Series enable a 0.25mm product pitch and occupy less board space than other 0201 solutions.
  • The SP1020 and SP1021 Series’ 01005 flip chip package (0.181mm x 0.230mm x 0.440mm) occupies the industry’s smallest footprint, which helps to save printed circuit board space and reduces cost.
  • The TVS Diode Arrays provide high ESD immunity and superior protection, giving circuit designers more design margin and higher end-product reliability in the field.

    • ESD, IEC 61000-4-2, ±30kV contact, ±30kV air discharge (SP1013); ±12kV contact, ±15kV air (SP1014); ±30kV contact, ±30kV air discharge (SP1020) and ±12kV contact, ±15kV air (SP1021)
    • EFT, IEC 61000-4-4, 40A 
    • Lightning, IEC 61000-4-5, 8A (SP1013), 2A (SP1014),5A (SP1020) and 2A (SP1021)
  • The SP1020 and SP1021 Series’ very low dynamic resistance (0.32O) supports low clamping voltage needed for protecting modern electronics filled with small-geometry ICs.
  • Low capacitance of 30pF (SP1013) and 6pF (SP1014) helps to preserve signal integrity and minimise data loss while offering more robust devices against electrical threats.
  • Back-to-back 5V standoff (SP1013 and SP1014) or 6V standoff (SP1020 and SP1021) permits protection of most of the current and future user interfaces.