New ultra-low capacitance diodes ensure robust ESD protection and signal integrity for data lines operating beyond 10 GHz.
Nexperia has introduced a new series of high-performance 1 V ESD protection diodes designed to safeguard USB4 and Thunderbolt interfaces operating at data rates beyond 10 GHz. The five-diode lineup—including models like PESD1V0C1BSF and PESD1V0H1BSF—is optimized for protecting AC-coupled RF transmission lines in applications such as smartphones, laptops, communication systems, and peripherals.
The key features are:
- Protect against electrostatic discharge up to ±18 kV
- Handle surge currents up to 9.6 A
- Guard against short circuit conditions
- Ideal for non-compliant USB Type-C ports with potential Vbus-to-TX/RX shorts
The challenge with high-speed interfaces lies in balancing signal integrity with robust ESD protection. The new series addresses this by offering ultra-low device capacitance—down to 0.1 pF—and minimal insertion loss (as low as -0.21 dB at 12.8 GHz), with no resonance up to 40 GHz. This makes them ideal for maintaining signal quality in GHz-frequency applications. Their ultra-small DSN0603-2 (SOD962-2) leadless package ensures low parasitic inductance and supports space-constrained designs.
Crucially, the new diode series gives designers flexibility to match the protection solution to specific PCB layouts. In designs where the trace between the transceiver and protection device is short, the lower inductance may reduce clamping performance; longer traces offer higher inductance but risk degrading signal integrity. Nexperia addresses both scenarios by providing diode variants suited to different layout strategies.
To further streamline integration, the company offers RF and SEED (System Efficient ESD Design) simulation models to support diode selection and system-level performance tuning. This makes the new diodes particularly attractive for engineers designing the next generation of high-speed, compact, and reliable electronic devices, where both protection and performance are paramount.
“With this new series, we’re giving designers the flexibility to choose the right solution for their board architecture, ensuring both high protection and optimal signal performance,” said Stefan Seider, Senior Product Manager at Nexperia.
