TVS power diodes to protect aircraft systems from lightning strikes introduced by Microsemi
ALISO VIEJO, Calif., 30 Oct. 2015. Microsemi Corp. in Aliso Viejo, Calif., is introducing a series of ultra-low capacitance transient voltage suppression (TVS) power diodes to protect aircraft avionics and other electrical systems from lightning strikes.
The TVS power diodes go into avalanche breakdown within no more than a few nanoseconds after a strike, clamping the transient voltage and routing current to the ground.
The devices provide protection of high-speed data lines and other applications where the threat requirement's magnitude surpasses the capability of other typical low capacitance TVS devices for Ethernet protection and other data interfaces with speeds to 500 megabits per second.
The 1N8149 to 1N8182 and 1N8149US to 1N8182US surface-mount low-capacitance TVS diode products are available as 150-Watt peak pulse power at 10/1,000 microseconds with capacitance of four picofarads maximum.
The 150-Watt TVS diodes equate to greater than 1,000 Watts at 8/20 microseconds and come in voltages ranging from 6.8 to 170 volts. They also comply with high-end industrial and avionics electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical fast transient (EFT), and lower level lightning threats in accordance with IEC61000-4-2, IEC61000-4-5 and RTCA-DO160 specifications.
Higher power ratings of 500-Watt at 10/1,000 microseconds with low capacitance are in development for even higher transient threats. For more information contact Microsemi online at www.microsemi.com.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
