Microsemi introduces cost-effective TVSs to protect aircraft from lightning strikes

Microsemi has introduced two new cost-reduced versions of its TVS (transient voltage suppressor) devices in its patented PLAD (plastic large-area device) package. The lower-cost 15-kW MPLAD15KP and 30-kW MPLAD30KP TVS families meet lightning-protection requirements in aircraft, including the RTCA DO-160E multi-stroke standard, that have grown in importance as a result of the introduction and growing use of composite-body airframes. Both devices are available in a surface-mount package and are backwards compatible with the previous generation of Microsemi's PLAD-packaged TVS parts—there are no changes to electrical or thermal specifications. The new 15-kW and 30-kW PLAD designs lower the cost of voltage-surge protection, preventing the disruption of digital-signal processing, component damage, and interruption of function due to inductive load dumps or the indirect effects of lightning. The PLAD package combines a large die size with a large exposed bottom-side metal slug for heat sinking that improves power handling as compared to through-hole packaged designs. The PLADs are also compatible with standard surface-mount assembly automation. The 15-kW family operates at (standoff) ranges from 7 to 200 V, and the 30-kW family comes in voltages from 14 to 400 V. Both unidirectional and bi-directional versions are available. Microsemi can supply the parts in RoHS-compliant form (2002/95/EC) or with SnPb lead plating. They are halogen free (IEC 61249-2-21) and meet MSL level 1 (J-STD-020) industry standards. All of Microsemi's PLAD packaged devices are 100 percent surge tested and can be supplied in various versions that have been exposed to levels of additional qualification and screening tests (similar to those applied to JANX military-grade devices) to weed out device infant mortalities and improve reliability. Material and manufacturing changes are made only under a Process Change Notification process with the customer. In addition to TVS devices, Microsemi's aviation portfolio includes FPGAs; integrated standard and custom products; power modules; power supplies; RF, microwave, and millimeter wave devices; and high-reliability non-semiconductor products. Many devices are radiation-tolerant or -hardened, Class-B QML-qualified and DSCC certified. Microsemi will exhibit its new TVS devices and comprehensive portfolio of aerospace products at Electronica 2012 in Hall A4, Stand 207 in Munich, November 13-16, 2012. Microsemi