NXP launches TVS diodes with industry’s highest surge capability in new FlatPower package

New diodes offer a 400 W peak pulse power rating in smaller packages

Eindhoven, Netherlands, February 9, 2009 – NXP Semiconductors, the independent company founded by Philips, today announced a new range of transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diodes housed in its new FlatPower package, SOD123W. Offering a 400 W peak pulse power rating (10/1000µs), the new diodes dissipate app. 67 W/mm2 surge per PCB area. This is more than twice the surge capability on offer in the market by TVS products in similar packages. Such high surge capabilities over smaller areas will enable engineers to save space on the PCB while delivering optimum power performance. It will also allow engineers to integrate more functions on the PCB.

The new TVS diodes are designed to protect voltage-sensitive components against transient voltage in various electronic applications like power supplies, data or signal lines, medical equipments, and telecommunication circuits. Qualified to the rigorous AEC-Q101 standard, the new FlatPower TVS devices can be used for all automotive and industrial applications.

Because of its very low leakage current of 1 nA and small size, the SOD123W TVS device can also be used in battery driven products like mobile phones and notebooks where space is a constraint. With a significantly lower height of 1 mm and compact size (2.6 x 1.7 x 1 mm), the SOD123W occupies only half the PCB area when compared to competitive TVS diodes in SMA packages. The new FlatPower SOD123W package fits on a SMA footprint, providing an ideal solution for a 1:1 replacement.

“While developing the TVS product group, we used our long-time development knowledge in manufacturing Zener and ESD protection diodes and combined it with our new FlatPower technology, resulting in one of the best products available in the market today,” says Heinz Klindworth, product marketing manager, NXP Semiconductors. “In 2009, NXP aims to expand this portfolio with further families fulfilling market requirements like the 600 W TVS diodes.”

The first 18 parts of the product family come with stand-off voltages from 3.3 V to 18 V and an additional 17 types with stand-off voltages upto 64 V will be released in mid 2009 to complete the portfolio. The SOD123W meets environmental protection targets. The plastic is free of halogens and antimony oxides and complies with non-flammability classification UL 94V-0 and RoHS standards.

The TVS devices are the second group in the new FlatPower package after the launch of MEGA Schottky rectifiers in October 2008. The FlatPower packages SOD123W and SOD128 (3.8 x 2.6 x 1 mm) combine high power ratings with a very low profile height.

Availability and Pricing

NXP’s new TVS diodes are released and ready for production. Samples are available immediately for design-in.

The price ranges from $0.08 to 0.10 (USD) per piece.

Further information on the new PTVS series is available at www.nxp.com/pip/PTVSXS1UR_SER_1.html.

About NXP Semiconductors

NXP is a leading semiconductor company founded by Philips more than 50 years ago. Headquartered in Europe, the company has about 33,500 employees working in more than 20 countries and posted sales of USD 6.3 billion (including the Mobile & Personal business) in 2007. NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, mobile phones, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices. News from NXP is located at www.nxp.com.