Ultra-flat, compact and rugged varistors for ESD protection

8th November 2013

Nat Bowers

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TDK introduce a new series of multilayer varistors in the CeraDiode family. In an LGA package measuring just 0.47 mm x 0.47 mm x 0.1 mm, this family includes the most compact, flattest and most rugged varistor for the ESD protection of mobile equipment. Enabling production of varistors with extremely reliable ESD protection that are about 80% smaller than their predecessors, the new SMD protection components are available in EIA case sizes of 0402, 0201 and even smaller.

Featuring an ESD immunity of 15 kV or 25 kV (dependant on the type), the new CeraDiodes meet the higher requirements on the ESD protection of sensitive ICs. At a pulse voltage of 8 kV (IEC-61000-4-2), they feature a clamping voltage of only 70 V or 90 V (again dependant on the type). The signal integrity of high-speed interfaces such as HDMI is not impaired, as a result of the devices low capacitance.

Combining a new and extremely efficient semiconductor material with its innovative micro core technology allowed TDK to achieve this new breakthrough in the miniaturization of its protection components. Increasing the ability of the components to absorb ESD pulses by a factor of 50, the new ZnO material has significantly more grain boundaries per volume. With further miniaturization, improved performance and low cost, these newest CeraDiodes are an ever more attractive alternative to TVS diodes and can also be incorporated directly into 3D circuits and modules.

The main applications of the new CeraDiodes are in the RF components of mobile communications devices, such as smartphones and tablets, LED lighting, and high-speed interfaces such as HDMI.

The key features of the new CeraDiodes include: compact dimensions of 0402, 0201 and smaller; a low insertion height of 0.1 mm; high ESD immunity of up to 25 kV; and terminal voltages of less than 100 V at 8 kV (IEC-61000-4-2).