±15kV ESD Protection

ESD protection can be tested in various ways. The

MAX3205E/MAX3207E/MAX3208E are characterized

for protection to the following limits:

• ±15kV using the Human Body Model

• ±8kV using the Contact Discharge Method specified

in IEC 61000-4-2

• ±15kV using the IEC 61000-4-2 Air-Gap Discharge

Method

ESD Test Conditions

ESD performance depends on a number of conditions.

Contact Maxim for a reliability report that documents

test setup, methodology, and results.

Human Body Model

Figure 3 shows the Human Body Model, and Figure 4

shows the current waveform it generates when dis-

charged into a low impedance. This model consists of

a 100pF capacitor charged to the ESD voltage of inter-

est, which is then discharged into the device through a

1.5k

Ω resistor.

IEC 61000-4-2

The IEC 61000-4-2 standard covers ESD testing and

performance of finished equipment. The MAX3205E/

MAX3207E/MAX3208E help users design equipment

that meets Level 4 of IEC 61000-4-2. The main differ-

ence between tests done using the Human Body Model

and IEC 61000-4-2 is higher peak current in IEC 61000-

4-2. Because series resistance is lower in the IEC

61000-4-2 ESD test model (Figure 5), the ESD-

withstand voltage measured to this standard is general-

ly lower than that measured using the Human Body

Model. Figure 2 shows the current waveform for the

±8kV, IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4, ESD Contact Discharge

test. The Air-Gap Discharge test involves approaching

the device with a charged probe. The Contact

Discharge method connects the probe to the device

before the probe is energized.

Dual, Quad, and Hex High-Speed

Differential ESD-Protection ICs

6

_______________________________________________________________________________________

CHARGE-CURRENT-

LIMIT RESISTOR

DISCHARGE

RESISTANCE

STORAGE

CAPACITOR

Cs

100pF

1M

Ω

1.5k

Ω

HIGH-

VOLTAGE

DC

SOURCE

DEVICE

UNDER

TEST

Figure 3. Human Body ESD Test Model

90%

36.8%

TIME

CURRENT WAVEFORM

PEAK-TO-PEAK RINGING

(NOT DRAWN TO SCALE)

Ir

10%

0

0

AMPERES

Figure 4. Human Body Model Current Waveform

CHARGE-CURRENT-

LIMIT RESISTOR

DISCHARGE

RESISTANCE

STORAGE

CAPACITOR

Cs

150pF

50

Ω to 100Ω

330

Ω

HIGH-

VOLTAGE

DC

SOURCE

DEVICE

UNDER

TEST

Figure 5. IEC 61000-4-2 ESD Test Model