ROHM’s New TVS Diodes Safeguard High-Speed CAN FD in Autonomous Driving
In today’s fast-changing car industry, with self-driving technology and smarter safety systems becoming the norm, fast and reliable in-car communication is more critical than ever.
ROHM Semiconductor steps up to this challenge with its latest bidirectional TVS diodes, engineered specifically for CAN FD (Controller Area Network with Flexible Data-rate) systems. These innovative components are designed to protect sensitive electronic devices while ensuring signal integrity in environments that demand both speed and resilience.
Revolutionizing In-Vehicle Communication
CAN FD has become a cornerstone technology for modern vehicles, enabling the rapid and reliable exchange of data among Electronic Control Units (ECUs). In applications where every millisecond counts—such as processing sensor data from cameras, LiDAR, and radar—any signal degradation can have critical implications. ROHM’s new TVS diodes address this issue head-on by incorporating a low-capacitance design that minimizes signal interference, ensuring that high-speed communication remains stable even in the harshest automotive environments.
Technical Specifications and Package Details
To meet the rigorous demands of autonomous driving, ROHM has developed the ESDCANxx series, which combines an optimized element structure with superior surge tolerance. Key technical highlights include:
- Low Terminal Capacitance: With a maximum of 3.5pF, the design prevents signal degradation, which is crucial for maintaining data integrity in high-speed CAN FD communications.
- High Surge Tolerance: The diodes are engineered to withstand significant surge currents. For instance, the 27V DFN1010 package models offer approximately 3.2 times higher surge current ratings and 16% lower clamping voltages compared to conventional CAN FD-compatible products. This ensures that delicate and expensive ECUs are well-protected from sudden voltage spikes.
- Dual Package Options:
- SOT-23 Package: Measuring 2.9mm × 2.4mm, it includes models such as 24V ESDCAN24HPY / ESDCAN24HXY and 27V ESDCAN27HPY / ESDCAN27HXY.
- DFN1010 Package: With a compact size of 1.0mm × 1.0mm, this option also features four models: 24V ESDCAN24YPA / ESDCAN24YXA and 27V ESDCAN27YPA / ESDCAN27YXA.
These models support standoff voltages (VRWM) of both 24V and 27V, providing versatile options for different automotive applications.
Enhancing Safety and Reliability in Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles rely on the seamless integration of numerous electronic systems. The enhanced protection provided by ROHM’s TVS diodes not only safeguards these systems from surges and electrostatic discharge (ESD) but also ensures that the high-speed data transmission remains uninterrupted. This dual benefit is crucial for real-time decision-making processes that are at the heart of safe autonomous driving. By reducing terminal capacitance and optimizing surge tolerance, these diodes contribute significantly to a safer, more reliable automotive communication network.
Beyond automotive applications, the low-capacitance, high surge-tolerance characteristics of these TVS diodes open up potential uses in other high-speed communication scenarios, such as industrial automation and robotics, where similar challenges exist.
Looking Forward: A Safer, More Connected Future
As the automotive industry pushes further into the era of autonomous driving, components like ROHM’s new TVS diodes will be vital in building systems that are not only faster but also resilient against electrical disturbances. With an eye on future developments, ROHM is committed to continuous innovation, ensuring that its products keep pace with the ever-increasing demands of next-generation mobility.
By addressing both the need for rapid data transfer and robust surge protection, ROHM’s ESDCANxx series is poised to play a crucial role in the evolution of safe, high-speed in-vehicle communication systems, paving the way for a more advanced and secure mobility society.
