Press Release
California Micro Devices
Expands PicoGuard™ ESD
Protection Array Family with Space Saving CSP Device
Ultra Low Capacitance CM1230 for High
Speed Serial Interfaces
in Mobile, Digital Consumer and Computing Applications
MILPITAS, Calif., -- June 27, 2005
-- California
Micro Devices (NASDAQ: CAMD) today announced the availability of the CM1230,
the newest solution in its family of PicoGuard™ ultra low
capacitance diode arrays for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection
of high speed serial interfaces. With a space efficient chip scale (CSP)
package and an industry leading, ultra low input capacitance of 0.8 pF
per channel, the PicoGuard™ CM1230 is the industry’s
smallest form factor low capacitance ESD diode solution, making it ideal
for a wide range of mobile, digital consumer and computing applications.
Data interfaces such as high speed serial data interfaces for mobile handset
displays as well as USB 2.0 and Serial ATA interfaces found in many digital
consumer and computing applications require robust ESD protection for
high value SOCs with low levels of capacitance and inductance to preserve
signal integrity. Providing protection against ESD strikes up to ±8kV
contact and ±15kV air discharge, the CM1230 meets the challenging
performance requirements of these rapidly growing applications.
Emerging High Speed Serial Interfaces
in Mobile Applications
The characteristics of the CM1230 makes it
a perfect fit for wireless handsets that are implementing high speed serial
interfaces between the host processor and the camera and display modules
in a clamshell or slider configuration, or between the handset and external
peripherals. With increasing demand for advanced multimedia capabilities,
such interfaces become extremely compelling as they minimize the number
of signal lines on the flex cable, improving overall system performance
and reducing power consumption. They typically operate at data rates up
to 500Mbps and are extremely sensitive to capacitive loading. The CM1230
provides a high level of ESD protection with a capacitance of only 0.8pF
in order to preserve signal integrity on the data and strobe signals.
Digital Consumer and Computing Applications
The CM1230 also features a low inductance
ground path, eliminating much of the inductance inherent in packaged ESD
solutions. This combination of low capacitance and low inductance minimizes
attenuation at high frequencies, making it the industry’s first
ESD diode array capable of providing robust ESD protection with a resonant
frequency greater than 5 GHz. This makes it an ideal ESD solution for
high speed interfaces found in digital consumer and PC applications such
as Serial ATA, which can run up to 3 GHz. The device can also be used
in other high speed data applications such as DVI and HDMI.
Ultra Low Capacitance, Form Factor
and Cost Savings
California Micro Devices' PicoGuard™ protection array family
provides robust ESD protection with unprecedented ultra low capacitance
levels for multimedia systems utilizing high speed data links. The small
form factor solution offers space savings of up to 85 percent versus competing
ESD solutions. By utilizing a single chip solution, customers realize
a significant reduction in total cost of implementation including purchase
cost and manufacturing cost as well as other costs associated with procurement
and inventory.
Pricing and Availability
The CM1230 is available in 2 channel and 4 channel CSP configurations.
The CM1230-02 is currently sampling and is priced at $0.52 each at 1,000
units. The CM1230 CSP solution is offered with an RoHS compliant lead
free solution and can be ordered with an optional OptiGuard™
CSP coating for enhanced robustness at assembly. The CM1230-04 will be
available for samples in Q3 2005. IBIS models are available on request.
About California Micro Devices Corporation
California Micro Devices Corporation is a leading supplier of application specific
analog semiconductor products for the Mobile, Computing and Digital Consumer markets.
Key products include Application Specific Integrated Passive™ (ASIP™)
devices and selected high value, mixed signal ICs. Detailed corporate and product
information may be accessed at www.calmicro.com.
Application Specific Integrated Passive™, ASIP™, OptiGuard™and PicoGuard™ are trademarks of California Micro Devices. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.