AVX Corporation has expanded its AntennaGuard SPV Seriesof low capacitance multilayer varistors (MLVs) to include a sub 0.5pF version to minimize signal distortion. Designed to provide a one-chip solution for protecting high speed digital interface, HDMI, analog sensor, Flex Ray, GPS antenna and RF amplifier circuit applications against ESD events, the bi-directional transient voltage suppressor delivers low capacitance and low insertion loss in a low-profile chip. The 0402 AntennaGuard SPV Series MLV provides a sub 1nS response time to ESD strikes and can withstand 100 successive strikes at 8kV (IEC 61000–4-2).

“The AntennaGuard SPV Series’ unique design results in a greater active volume that allows the part to handle higher transient energy, making it the only sub 0.5pF 0402 MLV on the market that can withstand 100 strikes at 8kV ESD. In addition, the AntennaGuard SPV Series offers customers the fastest ESD response of any multilayer varistor,” said Sonja Brown, global product manager for circuit protection products. “The MLV also minimizes the parasitic capacitance and signal distortion, maximizing the signal strength and speed. The AntennaGuard SPV Series’ low leakage characteristics enable it to be used in low distortion analog circuits such as sensors and dividers.”

Initial offerings of the AntennaGuard sub 0.5pF device include 0.47pF capacitance at 15V rating in 0402 case size.