The SP1020 includes back-to-back Zener diodes fabricated in a proprietary silicon avalanche technology to provide protection for electronic equipment that may experience destructive electrostatic discharges (ESD). These robust diodes can safely absorb repetitive ESD strikes above the maximum level specified in the IEC61000-4-2 international standard (Level 4, ±8kV contact discharge) without performance degradation. The back-to-back configuration provides symmetrical ESD protection for data lines when AC signals are present.