Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) is a natural event that occurs when a charged body approaches a conductor, and an electrical current is induced into the conductor, either through a direct conductive path (contact discharge) or over the air (air discharge). A common ESD scenario is when a person walks across a carpet and electric charges are transferred to the body through a process known as triboelectric charging. These built-up static charges can arc over electronic components and parts that we come into on a daily basis and cause damage. To ensure that devices have adequate protection from common everyday ESD events, manufacturers of chips, devices, and electronic systems come up with internal qualification tests to verify that their products have a certain level of immunity. The EMC regulators in most countries also have standards that products are required to meet, and as such there are ESD tests to accompany these regulations and show adherence to the standards. 

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While test and measurement is still the industry standard for ESD assessments today, simulation can provide some useful insight and a granular look at things such as ESD current paths, evaluation of what-if scenarios on component swaps, etc. At Lagwaves, we are able to use a full 3D model of the ESD gun used in most popular standards today. In addition, we have an accompanying circuit model that can be used in a transient simulation. We utilize parameterized models so that the R-C values and ESD gun ground wire diameter can be adjusted by the user. 

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Our ESD gun model includes all of the test voltages used in the standards and we can also modify the voltage to whatever internal standard our customer requires. Think of this as a direct compliment to your physical test setup.

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For more information or to get started with an ESD simulation project, get in touch with us.