NSPM3042

www.onsemi.com

5

Transmission Line Pulse (TLP) Measurement

Transmission Line Pulse (TLP) provides current versus

voltage (I−V) curves in which each data point is obtained

from a 100 ns long rectangular pulse from a charged

transmission line. A simplified schematic of a typical TLP

system is shown in Figure 10. TLP I−V curves of ESD

protection devices accurately demonstrate the product’s

ESD capability because the 10s of amps current levels and

under 100 ns time scale match those of an ESD event. This

is illustrated in Figure 11 where an 8 kV IEC 61000−4−2

current waveform is compared with TLP current pulses at

8 A and 16 A. A TLP I−V curve shows the voltage at which

the device turns on as well as how well the device clamps

voltage over a range of current levels. For more information

on TLP measurements and how to interpret them please

refer to AND9007/D.

Figure 10. Simplified Schematic of a Typical TLP

System

DUT

L

S

÷

Oscilloscope

Attenuator

10 M

W

50

W Coax

Cable

50

W Coax

Cable

Figure 11. Comparison Between 8 kV IEC 61000−4−2 and 8 A and 16 A TLP Waveforms