Semtech Solves Telecom's Stringent Lightning Surge Requirement With Industry's First 2.5V 100A Protection Device

Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, today announced the TClamp™2502N, a 2.5V transient voltage suppressor (TVS) array rated to withstand 100A surges as commonly required on telecom Ethernet interfaces.  The TClamp2502N is the industry’s first silicon-based 2.5V protection device capable of protecting sub-micron transceivers against GR-1089 level lightning pulses.

With Ethernet’s prevalence throughout the communications infrastructure, the TClamp2502N gives the design community a leading-edge protection device for use on the high-speed interfaces that are increasingly put into applications where there is a high threat of lightning strikes. The TClamp2502N protection solution is the newest addition to Semtech’s TransClamp™ platform; these devices provide the very low clamping voltage critical to safeguarding transceivers from electrical overstress.  

With the electronics industry demanding better protection at the system level, the TClamp2502N also protects telecom and networking interfaces against the ubiquitous threats from electrostatic discharge (ESD), cable discharge events (CDE) and electrical fast transients (EFT).  

By integrating Semtech’s proprietary Enhanced Punch-through Diode (EPD) process technology with Semtech’s advanced low-capacitance clamping architecture, the TClamp2502N expands the TransClamp family of protection devices employed in such high growth applications as data center routers, digital surveillance cameras, telecom base stations, and triple-play ONTs.

“The TClamp2502N offers unique specifications to safeguard new, low-voltage Ethernet PHYs at a time when manufacturers are reducing on-chip protection,” said Rick Hansen, Director of Marketing for Protection Products.  “Our EPD technology gives us a competitive advantage in this market because we can continue to lower the clamping voltage to offer great protection in step with advances in process technology that are driving more sensitive CMOS geometries.”

Semtech’s TClamp products are housed in a proprietary 2.6 x 2.6 x 0.6mm SLP package that is 77% smaller than competing solutions. While these products offer designers the benefit of significant board space savings, their small size and RoHS & WEEE compliance also contributes to energy conservation and hazardous waste reduction.

KEY FEATURES OF THE TCLAMP2502N

• Transient protection for high-speed data lines
• Only 2.5V part that is rated for: Bellcore 1089 (Intra-Building) 100A (2/10μs); IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD) ±15kV (air), ±8kV (contact); IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT) 40A (5/50ns); IEC 61000-4-5 (Lightning) L5, 95A (8/20μs)
• Low capacitance (12pF maximum line-to-line)
• Low clamping voltage
• Small (2.6 x 2.6 x 0.5 mm) SLP package saves board space
• Solid-state technology

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