Safeguard Power and Data Lines from Surge and Static Threats
From mobile devices to vehicle infotainment systems, USB interfaces are essential for power and data connectivity. However, as data speeds increase and USB Type-C systems require multiple voltage levels for power delivery, they become significantly more vulnerable to electrostatic discharge (ESD) and overvoltage events.
MCC delivers targeted ESD and overvoltage protection solutions across USB 2.0, 3.x, 4.0, and Power Delivery (PD) applications. Our product portfolio ensures full compliance with the industry’s most stringent EMC standards, delivering robust signal integrity and space-efficient form factors—even in high-speed design applications.
Automotive USB Type-C: ESD and Surge Protection Challenges
Automotive-grade USB Type-C interfaces are exposed to demanding electrical and environmental conditions — including frequent mating cycles, mechanical stress, and harsh transient events. These conditions necessitate robust ESD and surge protection strategies, particularly in systems implementing USB PD specifications.
A critical vulnerability arises at the CC (Configuration Channel) and SBU (Sideband Use) pins. These signal lines are positioned adjacent to VBUS within the USB Type-C connector. During hot-unplug events, there is a risk of shorting CC/SBU to VBUS, especially in PD3.1 where VBUS can reach up to 48V. Exposure of logic-level pins to such high voltages can result in latch-up or irreversible damage.
To mitigate this, MCC offers overvoltage protection (OVP) devices with VBR ratings compatible with VBUS but designed to clamp at significantly lower levels. This ensures rapid response to overvoltage events while preventing signal distortion or logic overdrive. MCC’s devices are also capable of handling high surge current levels, meeting the robustness demands of automotive use cases.
A parallel challenge lies in the USB Type-C differential TX/RX lines as it requires low-capacitance ESD protection to preserve high-speed signal integrity. MCC’s bidirectional protection diodes — such as the ESDULC5V0PUBWFHE3-TP — feature capacitance under 0.3pF, delivering IEC 61000-4-2 compliance without compromising eye diagrams or transmission quality. These solutions are optimized for minimal insertion loss and conform to automotive EMC requirements.
Figure 1: USB Type-C Pinout and Critical Protection Points
MCC USB Protection Lineup
| Application | Part Number | Package Type | Voltage | Capacitance (Typ.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB2.0 | ESDULC5V0PUBWFHE3 | DFN1110-3 (SWF) | 5V | 0.3 pF |
| USB3.x Gen1/2 | ESDULC5V0PUBWFHE3 / ESDULC5V0LBWFHE3 | DFN1110-3 (SWF) / DFN1006-2L | 5V | 0.3 / 0.25 pF |
| USB4.0 Gen3 | Development | DFN2510-10 / DFN1006-2L | 1.5 / 3.3V | 0.18 pF |
| PD3.0 (24V) – VBUS | ESD24VD5HE3 | SOD-523 / DFN1610 | 24V | 36 pF (High Ipp) |
| PD3.1 (48V) – VBUS | Development | DFN1610 | 48V | (High Ipp) |
| PD3.0 (24V) – CC/SBU | ESDSBLC24VPUBWFHE3 | DFN1110-3 (SWF) / DFN1006-2L | 24V | 5 / 3 pF |
| PD3.1 (48V) – CC/SBU | Development | DFN1006-2L | 56V | 3 pF |
Consumer & Industrial USB-C Protection
USB Type-C has emerged as the universal connectivity standard for consumer and industrial applications. However, reliability challenges persist even in non-automotive settings, where ESD risks from frequent hot-plugging, connector degradation, or routine handling which can compromise system integrity.
While AEC-Q100 qualification isn’t necessary, USB-C interfaces must still safeguard VBUS, CC/SBU, and high-speed TX/RX lines against electrical overstress (EOS) and ESD to guarantee long-term reliability.
MCC’s ESD protection portfolio delivers low-capacitance, fast-acting suppression in compact form factors — optimized for board-level integration in space-constrained systems. Featuring ultra-low capacitance down to 0.25pF and optimized clamping performance, MCC’s ESD protection diodes deliver dual advantages: guaranteed compliance with rigorous industry standards while preserving both signal integrity and mechanical reliability in advanced USB-C implementations.
MCC’s solutions are ideally suited for:
Laptops, tablets, and smartphones — where space, power density, and signal clarity are all critical Docking stations and hubs — which manage multiple USB-C paths and face frequent hot-plug cycles USB4.0 interfaces — requiring ultra-low capacitance protection for up to 40 Gbps signal channels
Figure 2: USB Type-C pinout and critical protection points (Consumer Devices)
MCC USB Protection Lineup
| Application | Part Number | Package Type | Voltage | Polarity | Capacitance (Typ.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB 3.x Gen 1/2 | ESDSBULC3304DFN10 | DFN-10 | 3.3V | Uni | 0.40pF |
| USB 3.x Gen 1/2 | ESDSBULC3304DFN10B | DFN-10 | 3.3V | Bi | 0.22pF |
| USB 3.x Gen 1/2 | ESDULC3V6AE2 | 0201-A | 3.6V | Bi | 0.18pF |
| USB 3.x Gen 1/2 | ESDSBULC0104DFN10 | DFN-10 | 1.5V | Uni | 0.40 pF |
| USB 3.x Gen 1/2 | ESDSBULC0104DFN10B | DFN-10 | 1.5V | Bi | 0.22 pF |
| USB 3.x Gen 1/2 | CSPSBULC1V5AE | CSP0201 | 1.5V | Bi | 0.20 pF |
| USB 3.x Gen 1/2 | ESDULC3V3PRB | DFN5515-18 | 3.3V | Uni | 0.25 pF |
| USB4.0 Gen 3 | In Development | DFN2510 | 1.5V / 3.3V | Uni | 0.18 pF |
| USB4.0 Gen 3 | In Development | 0201-A | 1.5V | Bi | 0.18 pF |
| PD 3.0 | ESD2451P6 | DFN1610 | 24V | Uni | Ipp = 40A |
| PD 3.1 | In Development | DFN1610 | 48V | Uni | High Ipp |
| PD 3.0 | ESDSBLC24VD5B | SOD-523 | 24V | Bi | 5 pF |
| PD 3.0 | In Development | 0201-A | 26V | Bi | 3 pF |
| PD 3.1 | In Development | 0201-A | 56V | Bi | 3 pF |
| USB 2.0 | ESDSLC5V0LTB | DFN1006-3 | 5V | Uni | 0.30 pF |
| USB 2.0 | ESDSLC3V3AE2 | 0201-A | 3.3V | Uni | 0.60 pF |
Why Design-In Protection Early?
Industry failure analyses reveal USB-C ports contribute to approximately 20% of consumer electronics hardware issues, with connector wear and power surge damage being the dominant failure mechanisms. The reliability challenge escalates in demanding environments - IEEE 61850-3 compliance testing demonstrates USB interfaces in automotive and industrial applications experience significantly higher failure rates from combined vibration, moisture ingress, and electrical transients. These vulnerabilities frequently originate from insufficient ESD protection at critical interface points. From simple 5V USB 2.0 interfaces to advanced 48V PD3.1 power delivery systems, MCC’s comprehensive protection solutions safeguard signal integrity while maximizing product lifespan.
Integrating robust surge and ESD protection from the initial design phase ensures certification compliance, eliminates costly late-stage redesigns, and safeguards signal integrity, delivering both technical and commercial advantages.
Protect what conne cts. MCC’s USB protection solutions are ready for today’s USB-C needs — and what’s coming next.
Looking beyond USB? MCC also delivers Ultimate Ethernet ESD Protection: High-Performance Devices from MCC — where early design-in is equally critical.