Transmission Line Pulse Method with Arbitrary Characteristic Impedance for Immunity Evaluation of ESD Protection Device

Abstract

In a conventional TLP system, the pulse disturbance is applied to the DUT via the transmission line, whose characteristic impedance is $50\ \Omega$. However, the DUT for the evaluation, such as an ESD protection device, may be affected by the transmission line's characteristic impedance. This paper adds an impedance matching circuit to the conventional $50\ \Omega$ TLP system, making it possible to adjust the circuit to an arbitrary value of the transmission line's characteristic impedance. By using the developed system, the I-V characteristics of an ESD protection device are evaluated when the characteristic impedance is $20\ \Omega,\ 50\ \Omega$, and $150\ \Omega$. As a result, it was found that the negative resistance characteristics after the breakdown voltage change depending on the transmission line's characteristic impedance.