T-diodes - a novel plug-and-play wideband RF circuit ESD protection methodology

A novel "plug-and-play" ESD protection methodology for wideband RF applications is demonstrated. This methodology utilizes an integrated transformer together with classical ESD protection elements. As a demonstrator, a wideband RF LNA in 0.18 mum CMOS is protected above 4.5 kV HBM without degrading its bandwidth.