Infineon Introduces World’s Smallest ESD Protection Diode for RF Antennas

Neubiberg and Munich, Germany – November 11, 2008 – Today at the electronica Trade Show, Infineon Technologies AG (FSE/NYSE: IFX) launched the world’s smallest transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode for the protection of antennas in latest electronic equipment. Applications include GPS, mobile TV, FM radio, and vehicles’ Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). The new TVS antenna protection diode, the ESD0P2RF-02LS, is only 0.62 mm x 0.32 mm in size and a mere 0.31 mm in height. It is designed to protect the latest electronic communication and consumer devices against electrostatic discharges (ESD) and can reliably absorb electrostatic discharges as high as 20 kV. High linearity up to 6 GHz together with market’s lowest capacitance of 0.2 pF for a TVS diode and low clamping voltages in a bi-directional configuration are the perfect fit for sensitive RF antenna applications. Infineon is a technology leader in diodes and already launched the world’s smallest TVS diode for the protection of high-speed data lines in December 2007.

The TVS antenna protection diode ESD0P2RF-02LS is designed in a tiny leadless TSSLP package that measures only 0.62 mm x 0.32 mm (equivalent to the 0201 inch package with 0.024 inch x 0.012 inch in size). The miniature package, which is about 70 percent smaller than today’s products with similar features, not only allows significant space saving on high density PCBs and great flexibility but also it is specifically designed for the integration into complete modules and frontend systems or even directly into original component packages of filters and ICs (e.g. System in Package, SiP). Especially valued for implementation in mobile phones and other thin portable devices, its ultra-low package height down to 0.31 mm can meet the most stringent height requirements.

“Using the new ESD0P2RF-02LS, designers will expand the horizon of possibilities of their applications tremendously with no more trade-offs between ESD robustness at system level and signal integrity,” said Holger Homann, Marketing Director TVS Segment, Silicon Discretes at Infineon Technologies. “With this new member in its TVS product family, Infineon reaffirms its position as a pioneer in ultra-low capacitance and miniature TVS diodes.”

Ultra-Low Capacitance Characteristics

With only 0.2 pF parasitic capacitance, the diode ESD0P2RFL-02LS offers optimum signal integrity at a maximum of protection against ESD without degrading effects. That means that Infineon’s diode masters an extremely fast response time of less than 0.5 ns to effectively shunt the electrostatic discharge current away from the protected circuit to a low and safe level, a characteristic that is of great value in very susceptible circuits in RF-antenna applications. The ESD0P2RF-02LS diode offers a multi-strike ESD absorption capability up to 20 kV contact discharge, exceeding by far the industry standard IEC61000-4-2 level 4 of 8 kV.

The new antenna protection diode ESD0P2RF-02LS is designed for applications with signals swinging above and below ground with a maximum working voltage of up to ±5.3 V. Because of its bidirectional characteristics with symmetrical clamping voltage, orientation of the device in the PCB is not an issue. Battery-powered mobile applications will greatly benefit from this new subminiature TVS diode as it drains extremely low leakage currents down to 1 nA (at 5.3 V) and therefore helps to extend battery duration. The ESD0P2RF-02LS is qualified according to the most stringent standards like the Automotive AECQ101 standard.

Availability

The ESD0P2RF-02LS diode is scheduled to enter mass production by end of 2008 just as the ESD0P2RF-02LRH diode in the larger TSLP-2 package (1.0 mm x 0.6 mm x 0.31 mm) for applications with less limitation on space demand. Both TSSLP-2 and TSLP-2 packages are fully compliant with RoHs and halogen-free directives.

Further information

Infineon is demonstrating its new TVS antenna protection diode at Booth #506 in Hall A5 at the electronica Trade Show (Munich, November 11-14, 2008). Additional information on Infineon’s TVS diode product portfolio is available at www.infineon.com/tvsdiodes

Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, communications, and security. In the 2007 fiscal year (ending September), the company reported sales of Euro 7.7 billion (including Qimonda sales of Euro 3.6 billion) with approximately 43,000 employees worldwide (including approximately 13,500 Qimonda employees). With a global presence, Infineon operates through its subsidiaries in the U.S. from Milpitas, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore, and in Japan from Tokyo. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX).