Low-Voltage Single-Line Protection Devices Protect 3.3, 5 and 12V Systems

The devices are housed in an ultra-small, leadfree SLP package (1.0 x 0.6 x 0.5 mm) to save board space. All three devices exceed the IEC 61000-4-2 ESD standard of +/-15kV (air), +/-8kV (contact). Each device is also RoHS/WEEE compliant.

The new products are part of Semtech’s MicroClamp ESD protection family and complement the full range of multi-line protection devices giving portable device designers the flexibility to protect isolated lines or ICs. The uClamp3301P is optimized for protecting new low-voltage input/output (IO) lines, while the uClamp0501P is targeted at more mainstream 5V applications, and the uClamp1201P is designed for higher-voltage battery lines. All parts are solid-state technology and have very low clamping voltages to provide maximum protection for sensitive circuits.

The uClamp3301P is the first 3.3V single-line protection device available on the market. It is constructed using Semtech’s patented enhanced punch through (EPT) TVS process technology which the company has successfully used to yield true 3.3 operating voltages on multi-line devices including the uClamp3324P and the uClamp3304A.

“Providing 3.3V protection as part of Semtech’s complete protection family is a real milestone for portable device designers who are moving keypad signals, multimedia card connectivity and other functionality to sub-5V power levels,” said Tom Dugan, Semtech's Director of Protection Products. “At the same time, the existing solutions aren’t keeping pace with the increased sensitivity of baseband chips and other ICs that need the high protection levels delivered by the uClamp family.”

The uClamp3301P, uClamp0501P and uClamp1201P are available immediately in production quantities. Ordering code and pricing for the products is, respectively, uClamp3301P.TCT priced at $0.22 each in 1,000-piece lots, uClamp0501P.TCT priced at $0.21 each in 1,000-piece lots and uClamp1201P.TCT priced at $0.25 each in 1,000-piece lots.