Vishay extends its range

today announced the release of two new Vishay Semiconductors low-capacitance ESD protection diode arrays that extend the company’s line of ultra-small LLP-packaged products optimised for data-line protection in compact portable electronics.

The VESD05A8-HN2, packaged in the 2.0mm by 2.0mm LLP70-9A, features nine contact pads and a monolithic die with eight protection diodes, a quantity of diodes that until now was available only in the much larger 5.0mm by 5.0mm SO-8 package. As a result, the new array provides bidirectional asymmetrical (BiAs) protection for eight data lines, or bidirectional symmetrical (BiSy) protection for seven data lines.

The new VESD05A6-HA3 is packaged in the 1.6mm by 1.6mm LLP75-7A and features seven contact pads and a monolithic die with six protection diodes. The array is said to offer bidirectional asymmetrical (BiAs) protection for six data lines or bidirectional symmetrical (BiSy) protection for five data lines.

Vishay says the new leadless SMD arrays meet a high industry standard for ESD protection, supplying transient protection of 30kV (air) and 30kV (contact) as per IEC 61000-4-2, as well as 5-A protection against lightning as per IEC 61000-4-5. Their low capacitance minimises distortion to the operating signal on protected lines.

In protecting very sensitive mobile electronics - such as mobile phone handsets, smart phones, laptop computers, PDAs, digital cameras, and MP3 players - against electronic discharge pulses caused by user contact with displays and keypads, the VESD05A8-HN2 and VESD05A6-HA3 also protect power supply and data transfer connections against discharge spikes.

The devices’ protection capability in a single compact package not only saves space, enabling design of smaller and/or more robust electronics, but also reduces manufacturers’ component costs.

Sample quantities of the new VESD05A6-HA3 and VESD05A8-HN2 ESD protection arrays are available now. Production quantities with lead times of 8 to 12 weeks for larger orders will be available in late Q2 2005 for the VESD05A6-HA3 and late Q3 for the VESD05A8-HN2.