STMicroelectronics ITA6V5B1

Overview

ITA6V5B1 from STMicroelectronics is a bidirectional Transil™ diode array for differential data line ESD and surge protection, featuring 6.5 V standoff voltage (VRM), 10 V breakdown (VBR @ 1 mA), 12 V clamping at 40 A (VCL @ IPP), 750 pF capacitance, and SO-8 package. It delivers 300 W peak pulse power (8/20 µs) and protects RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 interfaces against ±15 kV IEC 61000-4-2 contact discharge.

For engineers reviewing the ITA6V5B1 datasheet, ITA6V5B1 pinout, ITA6V5B1 application, or ITA6V5B1 equivalent, this device serves as a monolithic 5-channel bidirectional TVS array with verified clamping performance, low leakage (<5 µA at VRM), and differential voltage limit of ±3.5 V between I/O pins-critical for robust serial interface design in industrial and telecom equipment.

Technical Context

The ITA6V5B1 integrates six unidirectional Transil diodes with a common cathode, configured to provide up to five independent bidirectional protection channels between I/O pins and GND. Its clamping action responds within picoseconds to transients, limiting voltage to ≤12 V at 40 A surge current while maintaining <5 µA leakage at 6.5 V standoff.

Designed for differential signaling lines, it enforces a maximum ±3.5 V differential voltage between any two I/O pins per Table 3, ensuring safe operation with low-voltage logic interfaces. The SO-8 package supports standard PCB layout for RS-232/RS-485 transceivers without requiring external biasing or series impedance.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ITA6V5B1 is housed in a standard SO-8 package (JEDEC MS-012AC), RoHS-compliant and ECOPACK® certified, with 1.27 mm pitch, 4.9 mm body width, and 6.0 mm length. Pin 1 marked via notch or bevel.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar bidirectional TVS array applications.

Compared with SMA6J6.5A and SP1003-01UTG, ITA6V5B1 uniquely provides five coordinated bidirectional channels in SO-8 with verified ±3.5 V inter-pin differential tolerance-enabling compact, standards-compliant protection of full RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 transceiver interfaces without discrete component trade-offs.

Availability

ITA6V5B1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for RS-232 interface protection, RS-422 differential line protection, and RS-485 multi-drop bus protection requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing for industrial OEM programs.

Supply support for ITA6V5B1 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and protection devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The ITA series was developed specifically for high-reliability data line protection-combining Transil™ avalanche technology with monolithic integration to deliver coordinated multi-channel ESD/surge suppression in compact surface-mount packages.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable differential voltage between two I/O pins on ITA6V5B1?

The maximum differential voltage between any two I/O pins (e.g., Pin 1 and Pin 2) is ±3.5 V at 25 °C, as specified in Table 3 of the datasheet. Exceeding this may cause unintended conduction between channels due to internal diode coupling, potentially leading to latch-up or degraded clamping performance in differential signaling applications like RS-422.

Can ITA6V5B1 be used to protect a 3.3 V RS-422 receiver?

Yes-its 12 V clamping voltage at 40 A is well below the 13.2 V absolute maximum rating typical of 3.3 V RS-422 receivers (e.g., SN65HVD230), and its 6.5 V standoff allows full-swing operation of ±3.5 V differential signals. The 750 pF capacitance introduces negligible jitter at ≤10 Mbps data rates, preserving signal integrity without external tuning.

Does ITA6V5B1 require external current-limiting resistors?

No-ITA6V5B1 is designed for direct connection between data lines and ground with no series impedance. Its low dynamic impedance (VCL/IPP ≈ 0.3 Ω) and picosecond response enable self-limiting clamping. External resistors would degrade transient response and are unnecessary unless mandated by specific system-level fault current limits beyond the device's 40 A rating.

How does the dual-GND pin configuration improve protection performance?

Pins 5 and 6 are both bonded to the common cathode node and provide parallel low-inductance paths to system ground. This reduces total loop inductance during high-current clamping events, lowering V = L·di/dt overshoot and improving consistency of clamping voltage across all channels-especially critical in multi-line RS-485 nodes where simultaneous transients occur.