A new Infineon TVS protection diode, the smallest in the world, guards portable electronics and high-speed data communications from electrostatic discharge

Neubiberg, Germany – December 12, 2007 – Infineon, the technology leader in transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes, today unveiled the smallest component of this type in the world. With a footprint of just 0.6 x 0.3mm² and a mere 0.3mm high, the ESD series diode is designed to protect the latest electronic communication and consumer devices against electrostatic overvoltages. The TVS diode can reliably absorb electrostatic discharges as high as 20kV and has an outstanding response time of less than 0.5ns. Infineon has introduced unidirectional and bidirectional versions to support a range of different applications. With their industry-leading low profile, these diodes support the current trend toward increasingly flat devices in mobile communications, and with their low parasitic capacitance, they are ideal for use in high-speed data communications. “As feature sizes continue to shrink and the trend toward higher data rates progresses, highly integrated chips are becoming increasingly sensitive, placing tougher demands on ESD components,” says Holger Homann, marketing director for Infineon’s TVS segment. “The only way to ensure stable operation and maximum reliability in today’s communications electronics is to ensure equipment is properly protected against electrostatic discharge and transients. This means TVS diodes are a key quality feature. Industry wide, our ESD protection diodes are the smallest TVS diodes available, and we are a full-line supplier manufacturing high volumes.” ESD8V0R1B-02LS The ESD8V0R1B-02LS is a bidirectional TVS diode designed for use in a wide voltage range from -8 to +14V. With a parasitic capacitance of just 4pF, it ensures signal integrity on high-speed interfaces like USB 2.0 and Firewire in electronic equipment like mobile phones, MP3 players, and digital video and still cameras. At less than 1nA, its leakage current, an important factor in battery-powered devices, is the lowest in the industry. The diode’s low breakdown voltage of 17V protects electronics reliably against transients and electrostatic discharges. ESD5V3U1U-02LS For equipment interfaces operating at higher data rates, such as HDMI (1.65Gbit/s) or S-ATA (3Gbit/s), Infineon produces the unidirectional ESD5V3U1U-02LS TVS diode. In this variant, the parasitic capacitance has been reduced by a factor of 10 to an industry-leading 0.4pF. The diode is designed for applications with an operating voltage of 3.3V or 5.3V. With a contact discharge of more than 20kV (to IEC61000-4-2) and a clamping voltage of 12V or 4V in the negative direction, the ESD5V3U1U-02LS reaffirms Infineon’s technology leadership in TVS and ESD protection diodes. All the variants of the world’s smallest TVS diode are available immediately. The TSSLP-2-1 package complies with the RoHS Directive, which restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Further information about the product is available at http://www.infineon.com/esdprotection and http://www.infineon.com/tvsdiodes A podcast can be found at http://www.infineon.com/podcast

About Infineon Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, communications, and security. In the 2007 fiscal year (ending September), the company reported sales of Euro 7.7 billion (including Qimonda sales of Euro 3.6 billion) with approximately 43,000 employees worldwide (including approximately 13,500 Qimonda employees). With a global presence, Infineon operates through its subsidiaries in the U.S. from Milpitas, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore, and in Japan from Tokyo. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX).