MILPITAS, California, April 28 /PRNewswire/ --

- Industry's Only ESD Solution that passes both HDMI(TM) 1.3a Compliance and 20kV ESD Tests

California Micro Devices (Nasdaq: CAMD) today introduced the latest ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection device in the XtremeESD family utilizing the PicoGuard XS(TM) architecture, the CM1234. It features 8 channels of ESD protection that meet + -15kV contact discharge, and + -20kV air discharge per the IEC61000-4-2 standard, while meeting 100 Ohm differential impedance matching requirements of the HDMI(TM) 1.3a and DisplayPort(TM) digital video standards. It is ideal for digital TVs, LCD displays, notebook computers, set top boxes, and HD DVD recorders.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080428/AQM036)

"Consumer electronics manufacturers often test to standards greater than 8kV, particularly on ports easily accessed by consumers such as side and front mounted digital video ports", stated Joe Salvador, director of marketing for computing and digital consumer products. "Until now, there were no ESD protection devices that could meet these higher levels of protection and still maintain signal integrity at HDMI(TM) 1.3a data rates."

Picoguard XS Impedance Matching

The CM1234 incorporates the recently introduced PicoGuard XS architecture that integrates inductors with the diodes to create fixed point impedance matching for high speed data lines. Traditionally, system designers must compensate for the capacitance of the ESD protection device by adding external inductance, eliminating capacitance under the signal traces near the ESD device, or both. These approaches add complexity and cost, and are PCB board dependent, limiting the ability to use multiple board vendors. In many cases, this may not even be possible, particularly if the capacitance of the device is too high as is typical with existing 20kV ESD devices. The CM1234 eliminates the need for these measures, providing matched impedance with no external compensation or components required.

CM1234 -- Increased ESD Protection

The CM1234 provides protection for four pairs of differential channels, offering ESD protection to IEC61000-4-2 standard + -15kV contact discharge and + - 20kV air discharge. The integration of inductors with the ESD diodes provides for improved ESD protection as well as outstanding signal integrity. Compared with current best in class ESD diode arrays, the CM1234 offers:

-- 40% reduction in peak clamping voltage -- 15-40% reduction in peak residual current -- 100 Ohm differential impedance matching with no external compensation required -- Straight through routing for improved layout -- Compact 16 pin TDFN package for reduced board space

Updated http://www.XtremeESD.com Website

This new ESD Resource Center provides relevant information about ESD protection to designers of personal computer and digital consumer electronics applications. The site contains technical white papers, product specifications, articles, presentations and an open forum on various ESD protection topics. Go to: http://www.XtremeESD.com.

Pricing and Availability

The CM1234 is available in a 16 lead TDFN package. It is currently sampling and will be in full production this quarter. It is priced at US$0.59 each at 1,000 units.

About California Micro Devices Corporation

California Micro Devices Corporation is a leading supplier of application specific analog and mixed signal semiconductor products for the mobile handset, digital consumer electronics and personal computer markets. Key products include protection devices for mobile handsets, digital consumer electronics products such as digital TVs, and personal computers as well as analog and mixed signal ICs for mobile handset displays. Detailed corporate and product information may be accessed at http://www.cmd.com.

XtremeESD and PicoGuard XS are trademarks of California Micro Devices Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Web site: http://www.cmd.com http://www.XtremeESD.com

Richard Haas of California Micro Devices Corporation, +1-408-934-3108, richardh@cmd.com; Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080428/AQM036, AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org, PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com