Handheld Simulator meets standards for ESD test results.

Press Release Summary:




Equipped with discharge module, unit meets discharge current specifications of IEC 61000-4-2 draft 2. Mechanical construction limits radiated fields to similar values as measured for real human body discharges, and position of discharge unit, in relation to DUT, has minimal influence on test results.



Original Press Release:



New EM Test Discharge Module for Its "dito" ESD Generator Meets Proposed Standards for Uniform ESD Test Results



Souderton, PA- June 24, 2003- Significant variations in ESD test results are common when using ESD generators from different manufacturers. To correct this problem, the ANSI and IEC technical committees put considerable effort into researching the "ESD Phenomena" and improving existing ESD standards.

Two weak points were discovered in the standards:

· Imprecise Specification of the Discharge Current Wave Shape
ESD generators from different manufacturers generate discharge currents that are fully compliant with the standard, yet these discharge currents vary in some important details. In the proposed revised standard, the discharge current wave shape will be specified more clearly. The goal is to limit high frequency oscillations that are superimposed on the wave shape, and to avoid instability during the rise and fall of the first initial current peak.

· Varying Levels of Electromagnetic Fields
Because of the different mechanical designs of ESD generators, ESD simulators can generate varying levels of electrical fields. DUTs using high-speed logic are extremely sensitive to broadband field radiation. The electric field radiation effect might often be more severe for the DUT than the ESD discharge current itself. It has been determined that different positions of the handheld ESD simulator in relation to the DUT influenced the test results even when using the same ESD simulator for the tests.

The actual ESD discharge of the human body is a very smooth discharge current wave shape and very little electrical field energy is radiated above 1GHz. Many ESD simulators were found to radiate too much electrical field energy in comparison with the human body.

New Discharge Module For "dito" Overcomes Inconsistency Problems
EM Test has responded to the findings of the ANSI and IEC technical committees with a new discharge module for its "dito" handheld ESD Simulator.

The new discharge module meets the discharge current specifications of IEC 61000-4-2 draft 2. Its special mechanical construction limits the radiated fields to similar values as measured for real human body discharges. Because of its significant field reduction, the position of the discharge unit in relation to the DUT has very little influence on test results.

Like all EM Test products, the "dito" ESD Simulator is backed by Amplifier Research's commitment that quality must always equal value. The combination of innovative technology, advanced design, mismatch capability, durability, and flexibility with unlimited support and an unsurpassed warranty make AR products not only the best quality but the best value.

For more information contact AR, 160 School House Rd. Souderton, PA 18964 at 215-723-8181 or at www.amplifiers.com. For an applications engineer, call 800-933-8181.

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