ESD protection IC from ST Micro for data and video interface ports

ST Microelectronics has unveiled ESD protection IC for use with high speed multimedia and storage interconnects such as HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0, Serial ATA (SATA) and DVI. These ESD protection devices protect four data lines from ESD. Available in 1x2mm-outline package saves at least 30% of PCB space compared to other devices, says ST Micro.

As these high-speed interconnect standards specify convenient, miniaturized connectors and cables the users can easily connect and disconnect devices such as video equipment, terabyte storage, multi-megapixel cameras, and smartphones but here in lies the risk of damage to the internal circuitry by Electrostatic Discharges (ESD). By providing a convenient one-chip ESD-protection solution, ST's HSP061-4NY8 addresses a large and important market. The HSP061-4NY8 provides the industry with a single orderable part capable of protecting circuits using any of these multi-gigabit standards, enabling economies of scale as well as significant advantages in efficiency throughout product design, purchasing, and assembly.

The device contains a network of Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) diodes capable of protecting two pairs of high-speed differential data lines. These diodes are sufficient to provide complete protection for the 5.0 Gbit/s SuperSpeed bus defined in the new USB 3.0 specification. A single HSP061-4NY8 can also protect all the data lines of an HDMI port, an entire channel in SATA interfaces, up to and including the latest 6Gbit/s SATA 3.0 standard, or a two-lane DisplayPort interface.

Technical features of the HSP061-4NY8:
ESD protection complying with: IEC61000-4-2 level 4 (8kV air discharge) and MIL-STD 883G Method 3015-7 Class 3B (>8kV)
Ultra low capacitance: 0.6pF
5.8GHz bandwidth and 100 Ohm differential impedance: suitable for 3.4Gbit/s data lines
Low leakage current: 100nA at 25°C
0.55mm-high 1x2mm 8-lead microDFN package

Price: HSP061-4NY8 is priced at US$0.20 in quantities of 3000