Microsemi introduces new cost-effective transient voltage suppressors to protect aircraft from lightning strikes

Microsemi Corporation (Nasdaq: MSCC), a leading provider of semiconductor solutions differentiated by power, security, reliability and performance, today introduced two new cost-reduced versions of its transient voltage suppressor (TVS) devices in its patented plastic large area device (PLAD) package. The lower cost 15 kilowatt (kW) MPLAD15KP and 30 kW MPLAD30KP TVS families meet lightning-protection requirements in aircraft, including the multi-stroke standard (RTCA DO-160E), that have grown in importance as a result of the introduction and growing use of composite body airframes. Both devices are offered 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 performance.

"Re-engineering our proprietary PLAD package allows us to offer our customers a highly reliable solution that lowers the cost of TVS protection by about 20 percent," said Durga Peddireddy, director of marketing for Microsemi's High Reliability Products group. "In addition, our single component solution saves board space, lowers weight and improves reliability over the multi-device designs often used to provide these high levels of protection."

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 volts (V) to 200 V, and the 30 kW family comes in voltages from 14 to 400 V. Both unidirectional and bi-directional versions are available. The parts can be supplied 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 'upscreened' 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.