Microchip Technology has introduced an innovative family of military-certified surge-protection components, specifically designed to safeguard sensitive military and aerospace electronics from a variety of power disturbances including surges, lightning strikes, and electromagnetic interference.
The new JANPTX family consists of transient voltage suppressor (TVS) devices that effectively absorb sudden voltage spikes before they can inflict damage on critical systems, such as avionics, sensors, and communications setups.
In a departure from conventional military-grade TVS devices, which are typically encased in heavier hermetic metal or ceramic packages, Microchip’s new offerings utilize plastic packaging while still adhering to the stringent MIL-PRF-19500 military qualification standards. This design choice not only reduces the overall weight and cost of the components but also ensures they retain the essential reliability required in the demanding environments often encountered in defense and aerospace applications.
“By delivering the first MIL-PRF-19500 qualified plastic TVS devices, we enable engineers to achieve high reliability and performance in a lightweight, cost-effective package,” stated Ronan Dillon, associate director of Microchip’s high-reliability and RF business unit.
The newly developed surface-mount, unidirectional devices are versatile and intended for a broad spectrum of military platforms. They operate across an extensive range of working voltages from 5 to 175 volts. Remarkably, each device is capable of suppressing transient events up to 1.5 kilowatts and can react in under 100 picoseconds, providing an almost instantaneous diversion of damaging electrical energy.
Despite being made of plastic, these devices meet the MIL-PRF-19500/716 specification and comply with IEC standards that address electrostatic discharge, fast transients, and surge immunity. For applications that still require more traditional packaging, Microchip additionally offers equivalent hermetic versions of these TVS devices.
Weighing approximately 0.25 grams (0.009 ounces), these components are ideal for platforms with constraints on size, weight, and power, such as avionics and electrical subsystems. They are particularly suited for mission-critical electronics where reliability is paramount, yet payload capacities are limited.
The devices are available for immediate ordering in production quantities and come with SPICE models. These models allow engineers to simulate a circuit’s behavior virtually, enhancing design efficiency and reducing the reliance on time-consuming physical prototyping.
