Case Study: Design of a Ballasted Clamp-Array as On-Chip IEC-61000-4-2 Protection for Data Redriver IC

Current flow is considered in an on-chip railclamp-array serving as IEC-61000-4-2 protection. Two limiting case current flows (“U”-shaped and “Z”-shaped flow) are described mathematically. The current density can be controlled using ballast resistors, as a railclamp array test structure demonstrates. Its design process including pre-tapeout validation is described.