STMicroelectronics introduced a new device that allows HDMI to operate at full HDMI speed of 1.65 Gbit/s and even up to 3.2 Gbit/s, with full 15kV contact and air Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection. Claiming bandwidth of greater than 5GHz, the new HDMIULC6-4SC6 is a monolithic, application-specific device that provides rail-to-rail protection of four data lines without compromising signal integrity, according to the company.

Capacitive loading introduced by protection devices can significantly degrade the signal integrity, particularly at the high data rates required by HDMI connections. STMMicroelectronics says the ultra-low line capacitance (0.6pF) of the HDMIULC6-4SC6 means designers can protect these high-speed interfaces against 15kV air and contact discharges, above IEC 61000-4-2 level 4 standard, while minimizing distortion of the HDMI signal.