TDK's Latest Multilayer Capacitor Allows ESR Values to be Set

(Product News, 21 Feb 2008)

TDK Corp. has developed what is claimed to be the industry's first multilayer ceramic chip capacitor (MLCC) with a new internal structure that allows ESR values to be set to any value within a specified range, and can control circuit impedance. Mass production of the capacitor, available in 1608 and 2012 configurations, began in February.

In conjunction with the smaller size and increasingly advanced functions of electronic devices such as PCs and mobile information terminals, manufacturers are making strong demands for reduced mounting areas and miniaturization of components. As a result, power supply circuits on boards with ever higher mounting densities must combine multiple capacitors of different types, which means that impedances must be adjusted over broad frequency ranges. The effects of the minute electrical resistance elements present in the capacitors themselves can cause interference among multiple capacitors depending on the frequency, which can lower noise suppression effects. Generally, it is necessary to use even more components to control these effects.

TDK used its strengths in materials technology and multilayering technology to develop a capacitor with a new internal structure that allows ESR values to be set while maintaining the same capacitance as earlier products. Because the ESR values of capacitors located in the vicinity of the CPU can be set, there are smaller changes in impedance between the power supply and the CPU over a broad range of frequencies as well as voltage variation limiting effects. Limiting the variation in voltage stabilizes the current signal and eliminates effects on other circuits. In addition, the new capacitor will likely contribute to a reduction in the number of components needed.

The new capacitors are suitable for use in applications that require high power supply quality such as communications base stations and high-end PCs, and will contribute to reductions in the number of components, space saving, and smaller products. The mounting method is the same as that for two-terminal products, making switching from existing components easy.

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