The MAX14541E low-capacitance Q15kV ESD-protection
diode array is designed to protect sensitive electronics
attached to communication lines. Each channel consists
of a pair of diodes that steer ESD current pulses to VCC
or GND.
The MAX14541E protects against ESD pulses up to
Q15kV Human Body Model (HBM) and Q15kV Air-Gap
Discharge, as specified in IEC 61000-4-2. The device
has a 6pF (typ) on-capacitance per channel, making
them ideal for use on high-speed data I/O interfaces.
The MAX14541E is a triple I/O protector designed for
biometric connectors, portable connectors, and SVGA
video connections with ultra-low leakage current.
The device is available in a 5-pin SC70 package and is
specified over the -40NC to +125NC automotive operating
temperature range.
Note 1: Package thermal resistances were obtained using the method described in JEDEC specification JESD51-7, using a four-
MAX14541E
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional operation of the device at these
or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may
affect device reliability.
layer board. For detailed information on package thermal considerations, refer to www.maxim-ic.com/thermal-tutorial.
I/O CapacitanceBias of VCC/2, f = 1MHz (Note 4)67pF
ESD PROTECTION
Human Body Model±15kV
IEC 61000-4-2 Air-Gap
Discharge
IEC 61000-4-2 Contact
Discharge
Note 2: Parameters are 100% production tested at TA = +25°C. Specifications over temperature guaranteed by design only.
Note 3: Idealized clamp voltages. See the Applications Information section for more information.
Note 4: Guaranteed by design, not production tested.
MIN
to T
, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at TA = +25NC.) (Note 2)
MAX
CC
CC
IF = 10mA, TA = +25°C0.650.95V
F
TA = +25°C, ±15kV
Human Body Model,
IF = 10A
TA = +25°C, ±8kV
Contact Discharge
V
(IEC 61000-4-2),
C
IF = 24A
TA = +25°C, ±15kV
Air-Gap Discharge
(IEC 61000-4-2),
IF = 45A
TA = -40°C to +50°C-1+1nA
TA = -40°C to +125°C-1+1µA
Operating Temperature Range ........................ -40NC to +125NC
Storage Temperature Range ............................ -65NC to +150NC
Junction Temperature .....................................................+150NC
Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) ................................+300NC
2GNDGround. Connect GND with a low-impedance connection to the ground plane.
3I/O-1ESD-Protected Channel
4I/O-2ESD-Protected Channel
5I/O-3ESD-Protected Channel
CC
Power-Supply Input. Bypass VCC to GND with a 0.1FF ceramic capacitor as close as possible to
the device.
The MAX14541E low-leakage, low-capacitance, Q15kV
ESD-protection diode arrays are suitable for high-speed
and general-signal ESD protection. Low input capacitance makes this device ideal for ESD protection of
high-speed signals. Each channel consists of a pair of
diodes that steer ESD current pulses to VCC or GND. The
MAX14541E is a 3-channel device (see the Functional Diagram).
The MAX14541E is designed to work in conjunction with
a device’s intrinsic ESD protection. The MAX14541E
limits the excursion of the ESD event to below Q25V
peak voltage when subjected to the Human Body Model
waveform. When subjected to the IEC 61000-4-2 Contact
Discharge waveform, the peak voltage is limited to
Q60V. The peak voltage is limited to Q100V when subjected to Air-Gap Discharge. The device protected by
the MAX14541E must be able to withstand these peak
voltages, plus any additional voltage generated by the
parasitic of the board.
___________Applications Information
Design Considerations
Maximum protection against ESD damage results from
proper board layout (see the Layout Recommendations
section). A good layout reduces the parasitic series
inductance on the ground line, supply line, and protected signal lines. The MAX14541E ESD diodes clamp the
voltage on the protected lines during an ESD event and
shunt the current to GND or VCC. In an ideal circuit, the
clamping voltage (VC) is defined as the forward voltage
drop (VF) of the protection diode, plus any supply voltage present on the cathode.
For positive ESD pulses:
VC = VCC + V
For negative ESD pulses:
VC = -V
The effect of the parasitic series inductance on the lines
must also be considered (Figure 1).
For positive ESD pulses:
F
F
where I
is the ESD current pulse.
ESD
During an ESD event, the current pulse rises from zero
to peak value in nanoseconds (Figure 2). For example,
in a +15kV IEC 61000-4-7 Air-Gap Discharge ESD event,
the pulse current rises to approximately 45A in 1ns
(di/dt = 45 x 109). An inductance of only 10nH adds an
additional 450V to the clamp voltage, and represents
approximately 0.5in of board trace. Regardless of the
device’s specified diode clamp voltage, a poor layout
with parasitic inductance significantly increases the
effective clamp voltage at the protected signal line.
Minimize the effects of parasitic inductance by placing
the MAX14541E as close as possible to the connector
(or ESD contact point).
A low-ESR 0.1FF capacitor is required between VCC and
GND to get the maximum ESD protection possible. This
bypass capacitor absorbs the charge transferred by a
positive ESD event. Ideally, the supply rail (VCC) would
absorb the charge caused by a positive ESD strike
without changing its regulated value. All power supplies
have an effective output impedance on their positive
rails. If a power supply’s effective output impedance is
1I, then by using V = I x R, the clamping voltage of VC
increases by the equation VC = I
ESD
x R
. A +8kV IEC
OUT
61000-4-2 ESD event generates a current spike of 24A.
The clamping voltage increases by V
= 24A x 1I, or
C
VC = 24V. Again, a poor layout without proper bypassing
increases the clamping voltage. A ceramic chip capacitor mounted as close as possible to the MAX14541E
VCC pin is the best choice for this application. A bypass
capacitor should also be placed as close as possible to
the protected device.
standard is generally lower than that measured using the
I
100%
90%
PEAK
I
MAX14541E
tR = 0.7ns to 1ns
10%
30ns
t
60ns
Human Body Model. Figure 2 shows the current waveform for the Q8kV IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4, ESD Contact
Discharge test. The Air-Gap Discharge test involves
approaching the device with a charged probe. The
Contact Discharge method connects the probe to the
device before the probe is energized.
R
C
1MI
CHARGE-CURRENT-
LIMIT RESISTOR
R
D
1.5kI
DISCHARGE
RESISTANCE
Figure 2. IEC 61000-4-2 ESD Generator Current Waveform
ESD Protection
ESD protection can be tested in various ways. The
MAX14541E are characterized for protection to the following limits:
U Q15kV using the Human Body Model
U Q8kV using the Contact Discharge Method specified
in IEC 61000-4-2
UQ15kV using the IEC 61000-4-2 Air-Gap Discharge
Method
________________ESD Test Conditions
ESD performance depends on a number of conditions.
Contact Maxim for a reliability report that documents test
setup, methodology, and results.
Human Body Model
Figure 3 shows the Human Body Model, and Figure
4 shows the current waveform it generates when discharged into a low impedance. This model consists of a
100pF capacitor charged to the ESD voltage of interest
which is then discharged into the device through a 1.5kI
resistor.
IEC 61000-4-2
The IEC 61000-4-2 standard covers ESD testing and
performance of finished equipment. The MAX14541E
helps users design equipment that meets Level 4 of
IEC 61000-4-2. The main difference between tests done
using the Human Body Model and IEC 61000-4-2 Model
is higher peak current in IEC 61000-4-2. Because series
resistance is lower in the IEC 61000-4-2 ESD test model
(Figure 5), the ESD-withstand voltage measured to this
Proper circuit-board layout is critical to suppress ESDinduced line transients (see Figure 6). The MAX14541E
clamps to 100V; however, with improper layout, the
voltage spike at the device can be much higher. A lead
inductance of 10nH with a 45A current spike results in an
additional 450V spike on the protected line. It is essential
that the layout of the PCB follows these guidelines:
1) Minimize trace length between the connector or input
terminal, I/O_, and the protected signal line.
2) Use separate planes for power and ground to reduce
parasitic inductance and to reduce the impedance to
the power rails for shunted ESD current.
3) Ensure short low-inductance ESD transient return
paths to GND and VCC.
4) Minimize conductive power and ground loops.
5) Do not place critical signals near the edge of the
PCB.
6) Bypass VCC to GND with a low-ESR ceramic capacitor as close as possible to VCC.
7) Bypass the supply of the protected device to GND
with a low-ESR ceramic capacitor as close as possible to the supply pin.
For the latest package outline information and land patterns, go
to www.maxim-ic.com/packages.
PACKAGE TYPEPACKAGE CODE DOCUMENT NO.
5 SC70X5+1
21-0076
Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are implied.
Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.
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