Microchip Technology has introduced a new family of military-qualified transient voltage suppressor (TVS) devices aimed at aerospace and defense electronics, marking a first for the industry in combining stringent military standards with non-hermetic plastic packaging. The company announced the launch of its JANPTX family of TVS diodes, which meet the MIL-PRF-19500 qualification while offering a lighter and more cost-effective alternative to traditional hermetic solutions.
According to Microchip, the JANPTX devices are the first plastic-packaged TVS components to achieve MIL-PRF-19500 certification, a standard widely used to qualify high-reliability discrete semiconductors for military and aerospace use. The new devices are designed for surface-mount applications and target environments where weight, space, and reliability are critical design considerations.
The JANPTX product line spans working voltage ranges from 5V to 175V and includes multiple part variants to address a broad set of system requirements. Each device delivers a peak pulse power rating of up to 1.5 kW, with clamping response times measured at less than 100 picoseconds in internal testing. This fast response is intended to protect sensitive electronics from sudden voltage transients, including electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical switching surges, and lightning-induced events.
Microchip positions the JANPTX family for use in airborne avionics, power distribution networks, and other mission-critical systems where transient protection is essential to maintaining operational integrity. The devices are designed to mitigate threats such as induced radio-frequency effects, electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and secondary lightning strikes, aligning with protection requirements outlined in IEC61000-4-2, IEC61000-4-4, and IEC61000-4-5 standards.
By offering military-qualified performance in a plastic package weighing approximately 0.25 grams, Microchip aims to give aerospace and defense engineers additional flexibility in balancing system reliability with size, weight, and cost constraints. Equivalent hermetic package options are also available for applications that require traditional sealed components.
“By delivering the first MIL-PRF-19500 qualified plastic TVS devices, we enable engineers to achieve high reliability and performance in a lightweight, cost-effective package,” said Ronan Dillon, associate director of Microchip’s high-reliability and RF business unit, in a statement.
Beyond the devices themselves, Microchip highlighted its broader aerospace and defense portfolio, which includes controlled manufacturing, full traceability, extended temperature operation, and radiation-hardened options to support long-term, mission-critical programs. The JANPTX family is supported by SPICE models, allowing engineers to simulate transient behavior during the design phase and reduce development time and redesign cycles.
With this launch, Microchip expands its high-reliability component offerings as aerospace and defense systems continue to demand higher levels of protection against increasingly complex electrical threats.
