Nexperia has introduced a groundbreaking series of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection diodes, marking the industry’s first specifically engineered to protect 48-volt automotive data communication systems from ESD damage. These electrical disturbances can be harmful to sensitive automotive electronics, particularly as systems grow more complex and interconnected. The new product lineup consists of six highly durable diodes, all certified to the AEC-Q101 standard, which is the automotive industry’s quality benchmark for electronic components.
What makes these diodes especially significant is their ability to handle the higher reverse working voltages (VRWM) needed in 48 V automotive power architectures. As the use of 48 V systems becomes more common in modern vehicles—especially electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)—there’s a pressing need to adapt legacy data communication systems for these higher voltage platforms. Nexperia’s new ESD protection devices directly address this challenge.
Beyond just voltage handling, these diodes offer several practical design benefits:
- They reduce the size of the printed circuit board (PCB) layout thanks to their compact SOT23 packaging.
- Their design helps cut system costs without compromising performance.
- They provide strong protection without degrading signal quality, which is critical in high-speed communication protocols.
Although traditional communication standards such as CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, and FlexRay have been in use for decades, their reliability has kept them relevant. Even in the latest EV and HEV designs, these protocols remain widespread. Unlike conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that use 12 V systems, or commercial vehicles that typically operate at 24 V, newer EVs and hybrids are moving toward 48 V systems to improve efficiency and performance. However, these legacy communication networks must still be protected from electrical disturbances, especially since they were originally developed for lower-voltage platforms.
To support a range of design needs, Nexperia’s new ESD diode series includes options for three voltage ratings:
- 54 V devices: PESD2CANFD54VT-Q and PESD2CANFD54LT-Q
- 60 V devices: PESD2CANFD60VT-Q and PESD2CANFD60LT-Q
- 72 V devices: PESD2CANFD72VT-Q and PESD2CANFD72LT-Q
Each of these is designed with ultra-low capacitance, going as low as 3.4 picofarads (pF). This low capacitance is essential because it allows high-speed signals to pass through without distortion, which is crucial in systems like CAN-FD, where signal integrity is key to reliable communication.
In summary, Nexperia’s launch of these ESD protection diodes fills an important gap in the automotive industry, offering robust, space-saving, and cost-effective protection for modern high-voltage vehicle communication networks—while ensuring high-speed data remains clear and reliable.
