A frequency-domain VFTLP pulse characterization methodology and its application to CDM ESD modeling

A frequency-domain methodology to determine the risetime and pulse width of a pulse generated by a very-fast transmission line pulsing (VFTLP) system was developed. By assuming a trapezoidal waveform and fitting its Fourier spectrum to the spectrum analyzer measurement, the risetime of the pulse from the VFTLP system was calculated to be less than 25 ps, and the pulse width was characterized down to 300 ps, both of which are the fastest to date. The resulting modified VFTLP system can generate pulses that model the coupled CDM pulses that were recently identified as causing failure in the core circuitry. This core pulse has a 60 ps risetime and a 140 ps pulse width, and the modified VFTLP system can produce a better approximation of these extremely fast pulses.