TVS Diode Arrays Safeguard HBLED Strings

Littelfuse, Inc. introduced a series of TVS Diode Arrays (SPA^® Diodes) designed to protect each I/O pin of electronic equipment subject to destructive electrostatic discharges (ESD) or electrical fast transients (EFT). The new SP1064 Series TVS Diode Arrays are Zener diodes fabricated using a proprietary silicon-avalanche technology. These robust diodes can safely absorb repetitive ESD strikes above the maximum level specified in IEC 61000-4-2 international standard without performance degradation. Their very low loading capacitance (typically 8.5pF per I/O) also makes them ideal for protecting high-speed signal pins.

Typical applications for the SP1064 Series include protection for backlighting and edge lighting solutions for Ultra High Definition TVs, LCD/PDP/TVs, desktops/laptops and point of sale displays.

“SP1064 Series TVS Diodes offer circuit designers the ability to economically protect strings of up to 15 high brightness LEDS (HBLEDs) against ESD and EFT,” said Tim Micun, global product manager, TVS Diode Arrays (SPA® Diodes) at Littelfuse. “That ensures a lower overall protection budget while still providing a high level of protection.”

SP1064 Series TVS Diodes offer these key benefits:

• High standoff voltage (up to 60V) allows them to protect strings of up to 15 HBLEDs used in backlighting or edge lighting for Ultra High Definition TVs from ESD and EFT.
• Each four-line DFN array permits protecting up to four lines of LED strings. A single four-line device is sufficient for smaller outline displays, while large format displays require just one device per quadrant.
• At least 15kV contact protection against an 8/20µs ESD event enables the SP1064 Series to provide greater ESD protection than similar TVS Diodes on the market.
• Industry-standard uDFN-10 packaging makes for an affordable solution cost and a low cost of ownership.

SP1064 Series TVS Diodes are available in surface mount uDFN-10 packages in tape and reel format in quantities of 3,000.