The IP4777CZ38 is designed for HDMI transmitter host interface protection. The IP4777CZ38 includes DDC buffering and decoupling, hot plug detect, backdrive protection, CEC slew rate control, and high-level ESD protection diodes for the TMDS lines.

The DDC lines use a new buffering concept which decouples the internal capacitive load from the external capacitive load. This allows greater design flexibility of the DDC lines with respect to the maximum load of 50 pF specified in the HDMI 1.3 specification. This buffering also boosts the DDC signals, allowing the use of longer HDMI cables having a higher capacitive load than 700 pF. The CEC slew rate limiter prevents ringing on the CEC line. The internal hot plug detect module simplifies the application of the HDMI transmitter to control the hot plug signal.

The DDC, hot plug and CEC lines are backdrive protected to guarantee HDMI interface signals are not pulled down if the system is powered down or enters standby mode.

All TMDS intra-pairs are protected by a special diode configuration offering a low line capacitance of 0.7 pF only (to ground) and 0.05 pF between the TMDS pairs. These diodes provide protection to components downstream from ESD voltages of up to +-8 kV contact in accordance with the IEC 61000-4-2, level 4 standard.