Robust ESD protection for highly sensitive HDMI 2.0 chipsets

Traditionally, TVS devices relied on large capacitances to improve clamping performance. However, in next-gen applications such as HDMI 2.0, having low capacitance is key to ensuring signal integrity and minimising bit errors. The RClamp7534P features a typical 0.19pF line-to-ground capacitance and enhanced ESD immunity level (±25kV air discharge and a ±20kV contact discharge).

The RClamp7534P also features an innovative flow-through package that offers a 20% PCB space saving over traditional 4-line TVS devices to accommodate space constrained designs while improving overall clamping performance.

Rick Hansen, Product Marketing Director, Protection Product Group, Semtech, commented: “To enable high speed performance, chipmakers are continuously pushing process geometries to smaller form factors, which means new controllers and SoCs are ever more sensitive to ESD transients. In addition, the pluggable nature of these high speed interfaces means they will be more susceptible to failures unless designers make a conscious effort to select the right protection device for their design. The RClamp7534P not only offers exceptional clamping performance, but also the ultra-low capacitance that provides designers added signal integrity margin, making the product invaluable to systems employing 4K capabilities,  such as TVs, media streaming devices, set top boxes and other similar consumer products.”

The RClamp7534P (order code: RClamp7534P.TNT) is available immediately in production quantities, priced at $0.34 each in 10,000 unit quantities. Semtech offers comprehensive design assistance, including field- and factory-based support.