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Application-specific capacitors: A custom fit for any application
We have all heard the tagline, “there’s an app for that.” Not only is it catchy, but it demonstrates how we as consumers are now looking for specific, not general, products that meet a variety of our needs. As engineers we are no different, trying to find new ways to customize and tailor solutions for certain industries.
A perfect example of this evolution can be found in capacitors, which first provided basic electrical storage needs in radios and are now being modified to meet select criteria in everything from automotive electronics to medical diagnostic equipment. At Murata, we call them “application-specific capacitors” or “ASCaps” and they are changing the way engineers think about capacitors.
ASCaps are sophisticated. Modifications include size and materials in order to design a capacitor that meets unique needs. For instance, engineers are constantly bombarded with new and next-generation gadgets and technology, some still in the concept phase, all of which are smaller and lighter than previous models. The challenge not only means finding a smaller capacitor, but also one that can meet specific characteristics based on the technology’s criteria. Case-in-point, as designs of circuit modules become more compact, lower profile capacitors are required. But size is not the only consideration, the capacitor must also work in high frequencies and provide low loss high Q.
Getting even more detailed, ASCaps designed for mobile telecommunications in the 500-MHz to 10-GHz frequency range, feature improved low power consumption. Also, utilizing copper electrodes allows for ultra-low equivalent series resistance (ESR) and high Q in the GHz frequencies and high RF current handling capability. Using an application-specific capacitor with these characteristics gives engineers the best choice for high-performance, high-power RF designs requiring voltages up to 250 Vdc.
Murata offers a capacitor that does exactly what is described above and is available in EIA sizes 0805 and 0603 with a capacitance range of 0.1 to100 pF, as well as in a number of tight tolerance versions. Aside from GPS and Bluetooth, these capacitors are well suited for cellular base stations, broadcast satellites, cable TV and telecommunication networks, and television set-top boxes.
GQM series capacitors can be used in cellular base stations, broadcast satellites, cable TV and telecommunication networks, and television set-top boxes.
High Q, ultra-small capacitors for high-frequency applications in the 500-MHz to 10-GHz range can also be used in VCO and PA modules. Here a copper electrode design provides a cost-effective solution for low ESR and power consumption due to the high Q (low loss) performance. Engineers should be able to find a variety of tight tolerance types, offered in EIA sizes 0201 and 0402 with a capacitance range of 0.1 to 33 pF. Other applications suitable for this type of capacitor include handheld and cellular devices, Bluetooth, WLAN, wireless modems, remote-keyless-entry (RKE), wireless PDAs, antenna tuning and GPS.
GJM series capacitors target applications such as handheld and cellular devices, Bluetooth, WLAN, wireless modems, remote-keyless-entry (RKE), wireless PDAs, antenna tuning and GPS.
But what about the needs of an RF or base station power amplifier? Well, there are ASCaps available for those as well as for general-purpose, high-frequency circuits, wireless equipment, high frequency radios, broadcast satellites and terminals. The advanced, surface-mount capacitors needed for these products are available with precious metal inner electrodes, and exhibit a capacitance range of 0.5 to 1,000 pF, and higher Q values. For high performance, medium power RF designs, low ESR capacitors in the 1-MHz to 1-GHz frequency are on the market. The temperature stability of the C0G dielectrics ensures low power dissipation. These surface-mount capacitors are available in voltages up to 500 Vdc in a 1210 EIA size.
ERB Series are particularly well-suited for RF designs.
Other markets, such as medical diagnostic equipment (MRI, CT), high-power radios and RF amplifiers and generators, require higher power consumption, lower loss and higher voltage/current handling capacitors. As such, there are ASCaps that perform in a wide range of rated voltage from 50 V to 500 V. These high Q capacitors are suitable for applications in the 1-MHz to 1-GHz range because they are designed with palladium/silver electrodes for low ESR and high Qs. Quality capacitors for these markets are constructed with a very low dielectric loss ceramic, and are offered in P90 and C0G dielectrics in a cap range from 0.5 to 1,000 pF in both 0505 and 1111 sizes.
To meet medical imaging market standards, companies like Murata also offer non-magnetic terminations with laser markings. Aside from medical applications, this type of capacitor can be used in general-purpose, high-frequency power circuits, high frequency-high-power radios, broadcast satellites, RF and base station power amplifiers.
The MA Series capacitors can be used in a variety of applications including medical equipment, high-power radios, broadcast satellites, RF and base station power amplifiers.
The numerous design and spec requirements needed for all the different industries that use electronics can be overwhelming, but with ASCaps, engineers can quickly and effectively choose the best fit. Frequency range, size, voltage rating and the various other characteristics that make ASCaps well-suited for so many advanced technologies will have engineers saying, “there’s an ASCap for that” in no time.
About the author: 
Mark Waugh, senior product manager, Murata Electronics North America, leads an engineering team that is responsible for a variety of products including capacitors, while managing numerous key customer accounts.
Waugh started with Murata in 1997 as a process engineer for two product lines. In 2002 he was promoted to capacitor planning supervisor, followed by a promotion to product engineer where he served the central U.S. region.
Waugh holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Penn State University.
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