47
VC 04 AG 18 3R0 Y A T x x
Varistor Chip Size Varistor Series Working Capacitance Non-Std. Not Termination Reel Reel
Chip 04 = 0402 AntennaGuard Voltage 2pF = 2R0 Cap Applicable T = Ni/Sn Size Quantity
06 = 0603 (DC) 3pF = 3R0 Tolerance (Plated) 1 = 7" A = 4,000
12pF = 120 C = ±0.25pF (2R0) 3 = 13" or 10,000
Y = Max (3R0) W = 7"
Y = +4, -2pF (120) (0402 only)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
AVX’s 0402/0603 AntennaGuard products are an ultra-low
capacitance extension of the proven TransGuard®TVS (transient
voltage suppression) line of multilayer varistors. RF designers
now have a single chip option over conventional protection
methods (passive filters with diode clamps), which not only gives
superior performance over traditional schemes, but also
provides the added benefits of reduced PCB real estate and
lower installation costs.
AVX’s AntennaGuard products are available in capacitance
ratings of ≤3pF (0402 & 0603 chips), 2 and 12pF (0603 chip).
These low capacitance values have low insertion loss, as well as
give other TransGuard®advantages such as small size,
sub-nanosecond response time, low leakage currents and
unsurpassed reliability (FIT Rate of 0.2) compared to diodes.
RF antenna/RF amplifier protection against ESD events is
a growing concern of RF circuit designers today, given the
combination of increased signal “gain” demands, coupled with
the required downsizing of the transistor package. The ability to
achieve both objectives is tied to a reduced thickness of the
SiO2gate insulator layer within the semiconductor. The
corresponding result of such a change increases the Power
Amplifier’s (PA’s) vulnerability to ESD strikes — a common event
with handheld electronic products with RF transmitting and/or
receiving features. AVX Low Capacitance AG Series parts are
ideal solution for this type of applications as well as for many
more where low capacitance ESD protection is needed.
FEATURES
• Smallest TVS Component
• Single Chip Solution
• Low Insertion Loss
• Fastest Response Time to ESD Strikes
• Capacitance: 2, 3 and 12pF
APPLICATIONS
• RF Amplifiers
• Antennas
• Laser Drivers
• Sensors
• Radars
• RFID
• Keyless entry
• Near fileld communication
• Datalines
• Capacitance sensitive applications
and more
GENERAL
CHARACTERISTICS
• Operting Teperature: -55°C to +125°C
• Working Voltage: ≤18Vdc
• Case Size: 0402, 0603
HOW TO ORDER
(i.e., 1A = 4,000
3A = 10,000)
WA = 10,000
AntennaGuard 0402/0603
AVX Low Capacitance Multilayer Varistors
ESD Protection for Antennas and Low Capacitor Loading Applications
48
ANTENNAGUARD CATALOG PART NUMBERS/ELECTRICAL VALUES
AVX Part Number VW (DC) VW (AC) ILCap Cap Tolerance Case Size
VC04AG183R0YAT_ _ ≤ 18 ≤ 14 0.1 3 Max 0402
VC06AG182R0CAT_ _ ≤ 18 ≤ 14 0.1 2 ±0.25pF 0603
VC06AG183R0YAT_ _ ≤ 18 ≤ 14 0.1 3 Max 0603
VC06AG18120YAT_ _ ≤ 18 ≤ 14 0.1 12 +4, -2pF 0603
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS
Size (EIA) Length (L) Width (W) Max Thickness (T) Land Length (t)
0402 1.00±0.10 0.50±0.10 0.60 0.25±0.15
(0.040±0.004) (0.020±0.004) (0.024) (0.010±0.006)
0603 1.60±0.15 0.80±0.15 0.90 0.35±0.15
(0.063±0.006) (0.031±0.006) (0.035) (0.014±0.006)
mm (inches)
AntennaGuard 0402/0603
AVX Low Capacitance Multilayer Varistors
ESD Protection for Antennas and Low Capacitor Loading Applications
Termination Finish Code
Packaging Code
VW(DC) DC Working Voltage (V)
VW(AC) AC Working Voltage (V)
ILMaximum Leakage Current at the Working Voltage (μA)
Cap Maximum Capacitance (pF) @ 1 MHz and 0.5 Vrms; VC06AG18120YAT capacitance tolerance: +4, -2pF
LW
T
t
SOLDERING PAD DIMENSIONS
Suppression Pad Dimensions
Device A B C D
AVX 0402 1.70 (0.067) 0.61 (0.024) 0.51 (0.020) 0.61 (0.024)
AVX 0603 2.54 (0.100) 0.89 (0.035) 0.76 (0.030) 0.89 (0.035)
mm (inches)
A
B
D
C
49
mm (inches)
Antenna Varistors
AVX offers a series of 0402 and 0603 chip varistors,
designated the AntennaGuard series, for RF antenna/RF
amplifier protection. These devices offer ultra-low capaci-
tance (<3pF in 0402 chips, and ≤3pF & ≤12pF in 0603
packages), as well as low insertion loss. Antenna varistors
can replace output capacitors and provide ESD suppression
in cell phones, pagers and wireless LANs.
It is very common to employ some form of a FET in many
types of efficient/miniature RF amplifiers. Typically, these RF
transistors have nearly ideal input gate impedance and
outstanding noise figures. However, FETs are very suscepti-
ble to ESD damage due to the very thin layer of SiO2uses as
the gate insulator. The ultra-thin SiO2layer is required to
improve the gain of the transistor. In other words, the upside
of the performance enhancement becomes the downside of
the transistors survival when subjected to an ESD event.
ESD damage to the RF Field Effect Transistors (FETs) is a
growing concern among RF designers due to the following
trends: (1) RF amplifiers continue to shrink in size, and (2)
FET gains figures continue to increase. Both trends relate to
decreasing gate oxide thickness, which in turn, is directly
proportional to increased ESD sensitivity. As miniaturization
trends accelerate, the traditional methods to protect against
ESD damage (i.e., PC board layout, passive filters, and diode
clamps) are becoming less and less effective.
AVX’s AntennaGuard varistor can be used to protect the FET
and offer superior performance to the previously mentioned
protection methods given above. The standard EIA 0603
chip size, and particularly the 0402 chip, offer designers an
ESD protection solution consistent with today’s downsizing
trend in portable electronic products. Savings in component
volume up to 86%, and PC board footprint savings up to
83% are realistic expectations. These percentages are based
upon the following table and Figures 1A and 1B.
D2
D3
D1
D5
D4
0.96
(0.037)
0.96
(0.037)
2.0
(0.079)
0.8
(0.031) mm (inch
0.9
(0.035)
Pad Dimensions
Suppression Device D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
AVX 0402 TransGuard®1.70 (0.067) 0.61 (0.024) 0.51 (0.020) 0.61 (0.024) 0.51 (0.020)
AVX 0603 TransGuard®2.54 (0.100) 0.89 (0.035) 0.76 (0.030) 0.89 (0.035) 0.76 (0.030)
Competitor’s SOT23 Diode See Below
Figure 1A. 0402/0603
IR Solder Pad Layout Figure 1B. SOT23- Solder Pad Layout
AntennaGuard 0402/0603
AVX Low Capacitance Multilayer Varistors
ESD Protection for Antennas and Low Capacitor Loading Applications
50
Antenna varistors offer excellent ESD repetitive strike capa-
bility compared to a SOT23 diode when subjected to IEC
61000-4-2 8Kv contact discharge. A performance summary
is shown in Figure 2.
Antenna varistors also turn on and divert ESD overvoltages
at a much faster rate than SOT23 devices (typically 300pS
vs 1500pS - 5000pS). See Figure 3.
Typical implementations of the antenna varistors are shown
for use in cell phone, pager and wireless LAN applications in
Figures 6A, 6B and 6C.
The equivalent circuit model for a typical antenna varistor is
shown in Figure 4.
The varistor shown exhibits a capacitance of ≤3pF which
can be used to replace the parallel capacitance typically
found prior to the antenna output of an RF amplifier. In the
off state, the varistor acts as a capacitor and helps to filter
RF output. The varistor is not affected by RF output power
or voltage and has little insertion loss. See Figure 3.
0603 - 12pF
0603 - 3pF
0402 - 3pF
520 70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
500
480
460
Breakdown Voltage (Vb) — 0402 & 0603 3pF Ratings
Breakdown Voltage (Vb) — 0603 12pF Rating
440
420
400
380 0 100
8kV ESD Strikes
1000 10,000
Figure 2. Repetitive 8kV ESD Strike
Figure 5. Antenna vs Frequency
Figure 3. Turn On Time
Figure 4. Antenna Varistor
Figure 6A. Cell Phone
Figure 6B. Pager
100%
90%
30ns
1ns 30ns
TIME (ns) 60ns
60ns
MLV
TURN ON TIME
300pS to 700pS
PEAK
SITVS TURN ON TIME
1.5nS to 5nS
Ln
RVRI
C1
Ln = BODY INDUCTANCE
C1 = DEVICE CAPACITANCE
RV = VOLTAGE VARIABLE RESISTOR
RI = INSULATION RESISTANCE
VC04AG183R0
VC06AG183R0
VC06AG18120
0.01 0.1 1.0 10
Frequency (GHz)
dB
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
FET
2.2pF 2.7pF
12pF
3pF
Varistor
FET
ESD TEST OF ANTENNAGUARD RATINGS
ANTENNA VARISTOR S21
AntennaGuard 0402/0603
AVX Low Capacitance Multilayer Varistors
ESD Protection for Antennas and Low Capacitor Loading Applications
Figure 6C.
