Littelfuse has launched two new transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes designed to protect 48V automotive electronics from overvoltage events while maintaining low and stable clamping performance. The new devices, the TP5.0SMD-FL and TP1KSMB-FL, are aimed at next-generation 48V vehicle systems and are designed to meet the requirements of ISO 21780, a standard covering electrical characteristics in road vehicle power networks.

As automotive electronics become increasingly reliant on sensitive components such as DC/DC converters and gate drivers, protecting these devices from voltage surges has become a key design challenge. Littelfuse said its new TVS diodes use the company's proprietary FlatSuppressX technology to deliver a near-constant clamping voltage during transient and surge events, helping to limit stress on downstream components.

Unlike conventional TVS devices, which can experience higher and more variable clamping voltages, the FlatSuppressX design uses a foldback and snapback current-voltage characteristic to control transient response while avoiding latch-up risks. According to Littelfuse, this allows engineers to use lower voltage-rated components in automotive systems, potentially improving design flexibility and reducing overall system costs.