TVS diodes in FPGA development boards

[joniengr081]

Hi, I am wondering what are these TVS diodes and where in FPGA development boards we can use them and what is their purpose ?

[pcprogrammer]

Maybe the full name gives a hint. Transient Voltage Suppressor.

You can use them to protect inputs/outputs/supplies against high voltage surges that otherwise could brick your device. They are faster and can take more of a punch then diodes like 1n4148 or bat85.

[dobsonr741]

Some good read: https://www.ti.com/lit/an/slvae53/slvae53.pdf
and a video: https://www.ti.com/video/series/getting-started-with-interface-protection.html

At the end of the day TVSs are glorified zener diodes, with very exact specs on how to break down high energy pulses. Amazing how otherwise low dissipation/how small they are, while capable eat up >1KW in a few microsec.