Analysis and Simulation of Antenna Response for Discharge Sensing in Production Environments

Responses of different antennas to ESD events are analyzed. Special discharge electrodes are used to measure the discharge current and provide a reproducible radiating field detectable by the antennas. The impact of the electrode size and transfer function on the antenna is further analyzed by 3D simulation and measurement in the frequency domain. The assessment of the electrical properties and if the antennas are suitable for ESD event detection, is carried out using a TLP in the time domain. Discharge currents and antenna responses to different ESD events are measured and simulated. The simulation model is capable to of predicting the rise time and amplitude of the initial current flow through the discharge electrode.