Internal IC protection structures in relation to new automotive transient requirements

A huge number of complex integrated circuits can nowadays be found in modern vehicles. The undisturbed operation of the electronic control modules and systems is of vital importance for safety and reliability. Among the variety of possible interferences that can affect the normal operation of a vehicle, electrical transient disturbances are the most threatening ones. The new pulse immunity requirements defined in the latest edition of the ISO 7637 standard show significant increases of pulse amplitudes. This paper briefly describes the transient disturbance requirements for electronic systems used in the automotive environment and compares them to the current possibilities for the semiconductor industry to meet these requirements.