ESD protection diodes for 48 V EV communications networks

Nexperia introduces the industry’s first ESD diodes designed to protect 48V automotive data communications networks against the destructive effects of electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. This new portfolio of six robust AEC-Q101 qualified devices covers the required higher reverse working maximum voltage (VRWM) for increasingly common 48V board nets. This ultimately saves PCB space and system cost while maintaining signal integrity even at higher data rates.

While data communications protocols like controller area network (CAN) and its flexible data rate variant (CAN-FD), as well as local interconnect network (LIN) and FlexRay have been around for several decades, their proven reliability in lower speed applications means they continue to feature in even the most recent automobiles, including electric (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) models. However, unlike conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles that have a 12V battery, or commercial vehicles that feature a 24V battery, the higher efficiency requirements of EVs and HEVs mean they are increasingly moving towards using a 48V battery to power various electrical systems, including these legacy communications networks.

For design flexibility, this portfolio features ESD diodes with 54V (PESD2CANFD54VT-Q and PESD2CANFD54LT-Q), 60V (PESD2CANFD60VT-Q and PESD2CANFD60LT-Q) and 72V (PESD2CANFD72VT-Q and PESD2CANFD72LT-Q) maximum reverse working voltages (VRWM). These ultra-low capacitance (down to 3.4 pF) devices are packaged in the widely used standard SOT23 package. The optimised capacitance ensures that signal integrity is not impacted even in higher-speed protocols like CAN-FD.