Is System-Level ESD Testing Valid for ICs?

lectronic system designs often include transient protection to ensure system robustness for electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. Adding external ESD protection without compromis-ing system I/O speed, sensitivity and signal integrity can be difficult since each device added to the signal line can introduce extra parasitic elements that may affect signal transmission. Additional devices on the circuit board also can increase cost and real estate. Because of this, manufacturers of electronic systems are now relying more on the IC manufacturers for protection against ESD events to reduce the need for stand-alone ESD protection devices within their systems. To confirm that the ICs tied directly to the outside world are in fact ESD tolerant, many system manufacturers no