Limiter Diodes
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Limiter diodes are electronic components designed to protect sensitive circuitry from high-power signals. They function by limiting the voltage or current to a specific level, thereby preventing damage to other components in the circuit.
Working Principle
Limiter diodes operate by using a set of antiparallel diodes that have a very low small-signal insertion loss. When a high-power signal is present, the diodes conduct and clamp the voltage to a safe level, effectively limiting the power that reaches the sensitive components. This makes them particularly useful in protecting circuits from voltage surges and spikes, ensuring the longevity and reliability of electronic systems.
Applications
Limiter diodes are commonly used in radar systems to protect low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) from high-power pulses that could exceed their damage threshold. They are also employed in RF systems to safeguard sensitive components from high-power signals that could cause catastrophic damage.
Advantages over other Diodes
Limiter diodes, particularly those using THz Schottky diode technology, offer remarkable performance advantages over traditional solutions. They provide superior protection against high-power signals with specifications like flat leakage, flatness, recovery time, and spike leakage, which are critical in high-frequency applications.
Limitations
One limitation of limiter diodes is their performance at extremely high frequencies, where traditional methods may not suffice. The need for higher-performance limiters is evident in applications requiring protection against very high-power signals, which may necessitate advanced technologies like THz Schottky diodes.
Considerations
When considering limiter diodes, factors such as initial costs, operating expenses, durability, and maintenance should be evaluated. The choice of technology, such as THz Schottky diodes, may influence these factors, offering enhanced performance but potentially at a higher cost. Durability and accuracy are crucial for ensuring long-term protection and reliability in sensitive electronic systems.
from Nexperia B.V.
High performance voltage regulator diodes in a small SOT23 (TO-236AB), Surface-Mounted Device (SMD) plastic package. Features and benefits. Very low dynamic impedance at low currents: approximately 5 % of conventional series. Hard breakdown knee. Low noise: approximately 10 % of conventional series. [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter; Detector; Power Diodes
- IF: 250
- Diode Type: Avalanche Diodes
- Tj: 150
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
The DSG9500-000 is designed for low resistance, low capacitance and fast switching time. The oxide-nitride passivation layers provide reliable operation and stable junction parameters that provide complete sealing of the junction permitting use in assemblies with some degree of moisture sealing. The... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
- Diode Type: PIN
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
The SKY16603-632LF is a fully integrated dual PIN diode high-linearity limiter module in a surface-mount package. It is designed for use as a passive receiver protector in wireless or other RF systems for frequencies up to 6 GHz. It features a low limiting threshold, low-insertion loss, excellent... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
- Diode Type: PIN
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Please note: SKY16601-555LF is being discontinued and is not recommended for new designs. The suggested replacement is CLA4603-085LF. The SKY16601-555LF is a fully integrated PIN diode lowthreshold limiter module in a surface-mount package. It is designed for use as a passive receiver protector in... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
- Diode Type: PIN
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
The SKY16602-632LF is a fully integrated PIN diode lowthreshold limiter module in a surface-mount package. It is designed for use as a passive receiver protector in wireless or other RF systems for frequencies up to 4 GHz. It features a low limiting threshold, low-insertion loss, and low distortion... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
- Diode Type: Schottky; PIN
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Skyworks ’ Silicon Mesa Beam Lead PIN diode is surrounded by a glass frame for superior strength and electrical performance that surpasses the standard beam lead PINs. The DSM8100-000 is designed for low resistance, low capacitance and fast switching time. The oxide-nitride passivation layers... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
- Diode Type: PIN
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
The SMP1330 series of limiter diodes is designed for use as passive receiver protectors in wireless and other RF systems covering frequencies up to 4 GHz and higher. These diodes use Skyworks limiter diode technology to produce gold-doped, thin base limiters for low-loss, low-distortion performance... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
The Skyworks CLA series of silicon limiter diodes provides passive receiver protection over a wide range of frequencies from 100 MHz to over 20 GHz. These devices use a well-established silicon technology resulting in high resistivity and tightly controlled base width PIN limiter diodes. Limiter... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Skyworks CLA series of silicon limiter diodes provides passive receiver protection over a wide range of frequencies from 100 MHz to over 30 GHz. These devices use Skyworks wellestablished silicon technology resulting in high resistivity and tightly controlled base width PIN limiter diodes. Limiter... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Skyworks CLA series of silicon limiter diodes provides passive receiver protection over a wide range of frequencies from 100 MHz to over 30 GHz. These devices use Skyworks wellestablished silicon technology resulting in high resistivity and tightly controlled base width PIN limiter diodes. Limiter... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Skyworks CLA series of silicon limiter diodes provides passive receiver protection over a wide range of frequencies from 100 MHz to over 30 GHz. These devices use Skyworks wellestablished silicon technology resulting in high resistivity and tightly controlled base width PIN limiter diodes. Limiter... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
from Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Skyworks CLA series of silicon limiter diodes provides passive receiver protection over a wide range of frequencies from 100 MHz to over 30 GHz. These devices use Skyworks wellestablished silicon technology resulting in high resistivity and tightly controlled base width PIN limiter diodes. Limiter... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
from MACOM
Mechanical Reliability. Low Noise Figure [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
from Bourns, Inc.
The markets of portable communications, computing and video equipment are challenging the semiconductor industry to develop increasingly smaller electronic components. Today, designers of compact electronic systems are faced with board space constraints, thus driving the requirement for alternative... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter; Voltage Regulation; Protector
- VR: 3.3 to 170
- Diode Type: Transient Voltage Suppressor Diodes
- RoHS Compliant: RoHS
from Broadcom Inc.
The HPND-4005 beamlead PIN diode is designed for use in stripline or microstrip circuits. Applications include Switching, attenuating, phase shifting, limiting, and modulating at microwave frequencies. The extremely low capacitance of this device makes it ideal for circuits requiring high isolation... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter; Switching; Modulation; Phase Shifting
- VF: 1
- Diode Type: PIN; RF Diodes
- IF: 20
from SemiGen
The SemiGen SLP7100 series of Limiter Diodes are processed with a high-resistivity epi that have thin intrinsic layers. These devices are typically in the 2 to 20 micron range of epi thickness and can be gold doped to achieve specific performance goals. These diodes are used in passive or active... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
- Diode Type: PIN
from Utmel Electronic Limited
DIODE PIN RF PWR LIMITER SOT-23 [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter; Switching; LIMITER; SWITCHING
- Tj: 150
- Diode Type: RF Diodes; Current Limiting Diodes; PIN - Single
- RoHS Compliant: RoHS
from Empower RF Systems
Low insertion loss & leakage power circuit protection, high power handling [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter; Power Diodes
- Diode Type: PIN; RF Diodes
from MACOM
MACOM ’s PIN limiter diodes provide excellent broadband performance from 1 MHz to 20 GHz for receiver protector circuits. Our PIN limiter diodes are available in die form, plastic and ceramic packaging. Our ceramic packaged diode series is ideal for waveguide, coaxial, and surface mount... [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter
- Diode Type: PIN
from Broadcom Inc.
The HSMP-3820 / HSMP-382x family of low resistance PIN diodes are optimized for applications where ultra-low resistance is required. [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter; Switching; Attenuator
- IF: 10
- Diode Type: PIN; RF Diodes
- VR: 20
from Utmel Electronic Limited
DIODE RF PIN 45V 1.5A 3QFN [See More]
- Diode Applications: Limiter; LIMITER
- IF: 1500
- Diode Type: RF Diodes; PIN - Single
- VR: 45