Microsemi introduces new transient voltage suppressors for aircraft

Microsemi has developed two new cost-reduced versions of its transient voltage suppressor (TVS) devices, in its patented plastic large area device (PLAD) package intended to protect aircraft from lightning strikes.

Designed to meet the aircraft lightning-protection requirements including the multi-stroke standard (RTCA DO-160E), the 15 kilowatt (kW) MPLAD15KP and 30 kW MPLAD30KP TVS families are available in a surface mount package.

Microsemi’s High Reliability Products group director of marketing Durga Peddireddy said, "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."

Backwards-compatible with the previous generation of Microsemi’s PLAD packaged TVS parts, both devices lower the voltage surge protection cost while preventing the disruption of digital signal processing.

"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," Peddireddy added.

Compatible with standard surface mount assembly automation, the devices also prevent component damage and interruption of function due to inductive load dumps or the indirect effects of lightning.

Available in both unidirectional and bi-directional versions, the device parts can be supplied in RoHS-compliant form (2002/95/EC) or with SnPb lead plating.

The new 15 kW and 30 kW PLAD are halogen free (IEC 61249-2-21) and meet MSL level 1 (J-STD-020) industry standards.