Transmission Line Pulse (TLP)

Transmission Line Pulse (TLP)

Transmission Line Pulse (TLP) is a measurement technique used in the Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) arena

to characterize performance attributes of devices under ESD stresses. TLP is able to obtain current versus

voltage (I−V) curves in which each data point is obtained with a 100 ns long pulse, with currents up to 40 A.

TLP was first used in the ESD field to study human body model (HBM) in integrated circuits, but it is an

equally valid tool in the field of system level ESD. The applicability of TLP to system level ESD is illustrated

in Figure 1, which compares an 8 kV IEC 61000−4−2 current waveform with TLP current pulses of 8 and 16 A.

The current levels and time duration for the pulses are similar and the initial rise time for the TLP pulse is

comparable to the rise time of the IEC 61000−4−2’s initial current spike. This application note will give a

basic introduction to TLP measurements and explain the datasheet parameters extracted from TLP for

SDI Technology’s protection products.

Comparison of a Current

Waveform of IEC 61000−4−2

with TLP Pulses at 8 and 16 A.

The IEC 61000−4−2 ESD

waveforms is true to the

Standard and is shown here

as captured on an oscilloscope.

The points A, B, and C show

the points on the waveforms

specified in IEC 61000−4−2.

Figure 6. TLP Characteristic

Rev :

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01.06.2015

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SMDA24SP2