Description

This reference design is to show two distinct ways to protect the TMDS lines of a HDMI 2.0 drivers and retimers from electrostatic discharge (ESD). The HDMI standard is used in many applications from set-topboxes to notebooks to TV's. Since these ports are almost always external they are susceptible to an ESD event. The high speed HDMI 2.0 signals mean that the drivers cannot integrate good ESD protection in the IC so a discrete ESD protection device is needed. The HDMI drivers are also generally extremely sensitive meaning the ESD protection has to be ultra-low clamping. This design will go through the initial HDMI 2.0 compliance data for two setups, the ESD testing done on each board and the final HDMI 2.0 compliance data after testing. For more information about protecting the other 5 pins on the HDMI connector please see the ESD Protection for HDMI Applications technote.