ESD204B102-AQ | Diotec’s reliable ESD/EFT Protection for Critical Applications such as AI Server Centres

± 40 A / ± 20 kV bidirectional diode with ultra-low capacitance

Critical applications, such as AI data centres, demand highly reliable operation, as system downtime can result in significant financial losses. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is one potential cause of system failure especially when the system is directly operated by a human. According to the Human Body Model (HBM), a person can carry electrostatic potentials of several kV. In case of physical contact with sensitive data or power lines, a potential electrostatic discharge can damage critical electronic components, including MOSFETs and IGBTs.

To address these challenges, Diotec Semiconductor, with its headquarters in Germany, offers the ESD204B102-AQ, a bidirectional ESD protection diode designed to protect sensitive circuits against overvoltage transients in order to allow reliable and robust system operation.

The device is particularly suitable for ESD/ Electrical Fast Transient (EFT) protection in applications involving data lines, I/O ports, displays, touchscreens, and switches.

The following features highlight how the ESD204B102-AQ addresses common technical challenges in critical electronic applications.

High-Frequency Switching Performance

MOSFETs and IGBTs can operate at switching frequencies ranging from tens to hundreds of kilohertz. Additional protection components should introduce minimal capacitive loading, as increased capacitance can extend charging and discharging times, potentially compromising switching performance. With an intrinsic capacitance of approximately 0.6 pF, the ESD204B102-AQ minimizes additional capacitive loading, helping to preserve fast switching transitions. This characteristic makes the device particularly suitable for applications where high switching frequencies are essential for efficient system operation.

Low parasitic

The integration of additional components into a circuit inevitably introduces parasitic capacitance and inductance, which must be carefully considered during circuit design. Excessive parasitic effects can lead to unwanted oscillations, unintended switching, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) affecting neighbouring components. The ESD204B102-AQ features an ultra-low capacitance of approximately 0.6 pF and a low inductance of less than 0.4 nH. These characteristics help minimize additional parasitic effects, reducing the risk of unwanted electrical phenomena and preserving circuit performance.

Reliable MOSFET Gate protection

MOSFET gates are particularly sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). Gate-protected MOSFETs are commonly employed to eliminate the need for separate protection circuits, thereby reducing component costs and PCB footprint. However, integrated gate protection diodes are typically rated for approximately ± 2 kV, which may be insufficient for certain applications. In such cases, dedicated ESD protection diodes are required to provide additional protection against electrostatic discharge. The ESD204B102-AQ bidirectional ESD protection diode can be employed in gate-driver circuits to provide additional protection for sensitive MOSFET gates.

Automotive Qualification Built In

The ESD204B102-AQ complies with the AEC-Q101 automotive qualification standard while also being suitable for commercial and industrial applications.

Key Features

• High ESD withstand capability of ± 20 kV for air discharge and ± 18 kV for contact discharge
• EFT protection against peak impulse currents of up ± 40A tested with a 5 / 50 ns waveform
• Asymmetric configuration to better match the circuit’s voltage requirements and accommodate different positive and negative operating, with + 14 V stand-off voltage in forward (VWM1) direction and - 8 V in the reverse (VWM2) direction
• Bidirectional voltage clamping of about < 20 V in the forward and about < 28 V in the reverse direction tested with 1 A (8 / 20 µs waveform)
• Ultra-low junction capacitance (~ 0.6 pF) and leakage current (< 50 nA) minimizing capacitive loading and leakage losses
• Compliant to ROHS, REACH, Conflict Minerals
• AEC-Q101 qualified and suitable for automotive, industrial and commercial applications