New Industry Products

AVX Develops Low Profile, Low ESL Multi-Anode ‘Mirror’ Tantalum Capacitor

March 13, 2008 by Jeff Shepard

AVX Corp. has expanded its TPM Series to include D and low profile Y case size multi-anode ‘mirror’ configuration tantalum capacitors. Suitable for telecommunication infrastructure, networking, servers, and military and aerospace applications, the TPM mirror tantalum capacitor delivers low self-inductance (ESL) and lower equivalent series resistance (ESR) in a small package. The new symmetrical design reduces the ESL to 1nH, said to be half that of standard D case sized devices.

Low ESL enables a higher resonant frequency up to 500kHz (mirror D case), delivering more efficient filtering in dc-dc power switching converters. The new design also reduces the height of the new tantalum capacitors from 4.3mm (E case) to 3.1mm (D case) with further reductions down to 2.0mm maximum height (Y case).

"Common demands from designers of switch mode power supplies, microprocessors, and general digital circuit applications include the downsizing of power supplies combined with the reduction of noise while operating at higher frequencies," said Tomas Zednicek, Worldwide Technical Marketing Manager at AVX. "This requires components with low equivalent series resistance (ESR), high capacitance and high reliability, such as multi-anode tantalum capacitors."

The mirror anode configuration also enhances thermal power dissipation, enabling a higher ripple current to be achieved using only one capacitor. This allows a reduction in the number of capacitors, providing a downsizing of the power supply without compromising the output current ratings.

Complying with RoHS requirements, TPM capacitors are designed for 3x reflow, 260°C peak temperature lead-free assembly systems, and feature an operating temperature range of between -55 and +125°C.

Mirror TPM capacitors have been released in a D case size capacitance range of 220 to 1000mF, are rated at 2.5 to 10V and have an ESR range of 25-35mW. Higher voltage (up to 35 and 50V) devices under development will be especially attractive for telecommunication applications where design height is becoming an important parameter: it is claimed that capacitance values of 10-22mF, ESR 65-140mW on a single 35-50V capacitor are difficult to attain within the 3.1mm maximum height using any other technology.

Samples of even lower profile 2.0mm Y case 220mF 6.3V with ESR 35mW are already available upon request.

Typical pricing for the TPM mirror tantalum capacitor starts at $2.00 each in quantities of 1000 pieces with delivery from stock to 14 weeks.