NIC COMPONENTS CORP. 1 LOW ESR CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT APPLICATIONS NIC COMPONENTS GUIDELINE 012002

1NIC COMPONENTS CORP.NIC COMPONENTS CORP.

LOW ESR CAPACITORS FOR

HIGH CURRENT APPLICATIONS NIC COMPONENTS GUIDELINE 012002


LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FORHIGH CURRENT APPLICATIONS

Industry trends for next generation systems…

Low Voltage – High Current RequirementsApplications: Voltage Converters (AC/DC, DC/DC) Voltage Regulators Servers and Workstations High Current, Ultra-fast Transient Microprocessors

Increasing Current

Decreasing Voltage of Operation

40A

15A

5A

5.0V

3.3V

2.5V

1.3V

* Careful attention to circuit noise budget can ensure reliable system operation and immunity to dreaded intermittent noise

faults

Increasing Need for Lower ESR CapacitorsIndustry trends for next generation systems…

Higher Speed of Operation (1Ghz & up)



Lower Voltage of Operation (sub 2VDC)




Higher Current of Operation (40A & up)




Higher Current of Operation (40A & up)

Tighter Regulation Windows*



Pd = Power Dissipated (lost) within the Capacitor

Pd = I2 x ESR

Lower capacitor ESR = Lower Pd

Low ESR capacitors helps to reduce the total circuit energy used!Less heat dissipation within the capacitor means it lasts longer!

Longer life & better reliability!

IR

CESR

I



2700uF/10VDC/0.034 ESR max.Low ESR Capacitor

When used in output filter

Intel is identifying maximum ESR of output filter capacitors to meet output voltage regulation limits

Lower capacitor ESR = Lower output ripple voltage (Vr)

VDC Allowable Variation Window

Ripple Voltage(Vr)

Vr = I x ESR

INTEL VRM8.2 Voltage Regulator Module

NIC SMT version: NACZF332M16V18X22TR (0.028 Z)

NIC LEADED version: NRSZ272M10V12.5X25 (0.032 Z) NRSX272M10V12.5X25 (0.029 Z)

2.8V +0.1 -0.06V



Noise budgets help maintain signal integrity in low-voltage systems

An ideal power supply has zero output impedance across all frequencies and load currents. However, the inductances associated with cables, bus bars, connectors, pc boards, and IC packages introduce impedances that increase with frequency. Thus, an IC's supply voltage is not rock-solid.

Bulk, or low-frequency, decoupling is the first layer of defense against unwanted impedances. This decoupling keeps the load voltage from drooping when there is a step change in current at the load, that's too short for the power supply to respond. You need enough capacitance to supply all the charge required by the ICs during this time without letting the power-bus voltage droop below the limit allowed by your power noise budget, (Delta)V.

Greg Edlund is a principal hardware engineer at Digital Equipment Corp (Maynard, MA), where he does signal-integrity engineering for the Alpha server project. Edlund was formerly a member of the team that designed the SS-1 supercomputer. He holds a BS in physics from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology (Twin Cities).



Noise budgets help maintain signal integrity in low-voltage systems

The first layer of defense:To get…”enough capacitance to supply all the charge” required by the circuit… Typically, designers use electrolytic cans (Radial & SMT) at the PCB power entry point (Output filter of the power supply)and spread tantalum & ceramic capacitors across the board.

Important issue:“if your design requires a large amount of low- or mid-frequency current, place a local dc/dc converter near the loads. This local power source cuts the bus inductance and leaves only the pc-board and IC-package inductances.“ DC– DC Converters use Low ESR Capacitors in output filters

Low ESR = Lower voltage fluctuation



To minimize line voltage fluctuation under high load current conditions Low ESR bypass- decoupling capacitors are required.

Lower capacitor ESR = Lower voltage fluctuation

Selecting By-Pass – Decoupling Capacitors

8NIC COMPONENTS CORP.

LOW ESR POLYMER CATHODETANTALUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS

Market & Technology: Use of POLYMER in place of MnO2 for CATHODE results in low ESR, high ripple current ratings (RCR) and suppression of combustion (will not support flame) under failure. Applications in high density low voltage – high current power management designs. Larger sizes C & D/V cases continue to be popular. Expansion will cover all sizes P ~ D/V. New NTP series parts developed include lower ESR 0.025-ohm products, and we will achieve 0.020 ohm later in 2002.

Conductive polymer (polypyrrole) cathode (replaces manganese dioxide) for low ESR – high ripple current applications.

Comparison of Conductivity

Higher Conductivity of polymer results in

reduced ESR




Comparison of Capacitance over Temperature




Comparison of ESR over Temperature

10uF / 6.3VDC P/N: NTP100M6.3TRA

100uF / 16VDC P/N: NTP101M16TRD

10uF / 16VDC ALUMINUM

10uF / 6.3VDC TANTALUM



POLYMER ELECTROLYTESOLID ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS:

Technology:Replacement of liquid electrolyte with SOLID POLYMER results in ultra low ESR and high RCR with long life at high temperature. Primarily used in low profile high current – low voltage power management applications. Same size as D/E (7343) tantalum lends itself to replacing multiple chip tantalum types. Lowest 100KHz ESR (0.012ohm) and highest RCR (3.0Arms) of all SMT E-Caps. Higher capacitance low ESR parts are expected to dominate production in future. Higher capacitance values (330uF / 2VDC) Lower profile version (1.5mm max thick) special will be available for height restrictive applications.

also see www.lowESR.com

NSP Series



Surface Mount Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors MOLDED FLAT CHIP SOLID ALUMINUM

NSP Series



ES

R &

Im

ped

an

ce

(Oh

m)

Frequency

Impedance

ESR

P/N: NSP220M6.3TR 22uF / 6.3VDC

Sub 0.020 ESR

Surface Mount Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors MOLDED FLAT CHIP SOLID ALUMINUM


NIC Components continues to address the growing needs for low ESR capacitors with the release of the NSPZ series of surface mount (SMT) solid polymer electrolyte aluminum electrolytic capacitors. NSPZ series features: Ultra-low ESR and impedance (as low as 0.025ohm) High ripple current ratings (up to 2.5Arms; +105ºC/100KHz) Ideally suited for lower voltage - high current power management applications, including dc-dc converters and switchers. Rated for operation at temperatures between -55 ~ +105ºC and are compatible with reflow soldering processes. The devices are supplied in tape-and-reel packaging for use with automated pick-and-place manufacturing systems.

SOLID ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS: New Products

NSPZ Series - Low ESR Solid Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors in SMT V-Chip

» Capacitance values from 15uF ~ 680uF » Voltage ratings form 4 ~ 25VDC. » Case sizes (DxL) include:

6.3mm x 6.3mm 8mm x 7mm 10mmx 8mm


NSPE Series - Low ESR Hybrid Electrolyte Electrolytic Capacitors in SMT V-Chip

» Capacitance values: 22uF ~ 820uF » Voltage ratings: 4 ~ 16VDC » Case sizes (DxL) include:

6.3mm x 6.3mm 8mm x 10.8mm 10mm x 10.8mm

SMT ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS:HYBRID ELECTROLYTE

Featuring the low ESR characteristics of solid electrolyte types, but at lower cost, NIC's new hybrid (solid -liquid electrolyte) NSPE series of surface mount (SMT) aluminum electrolytic capacitors provide cost effective solution for power management applications. NSPE series uses combination solid polymer and liquid electrolyte toreduce the ESR characteristic and increase the ripple currentrating. NSPE series features low ESR and impedance (as low as0.023ohm) with high ripple current ratings (up to 2.18Arms;+105ºC/100KHz). Ideally suited for lower voltage - high current power management applications, including power supplies, dc-dc converters and switchers. Rated for operation at temperatures between -55 ~ +105ºC and are compatible with reflow soldering processes.



SMT ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS:HYBRID ELECTROLYTE - ESR over Frequency Comparison

SMT Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors V-Chip style 100uF / 6.3VDC values shownStandard Liquid Electrolyte (BLUE LINE) and Hybrid [Solid - Liquid] Electrolyte (RED LINE) Hybrid Electrolyte [ NSPE Series ] exhibits significantly lower ESR over wide frequency range



SMT Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors V-Chip style 100uF / 6.3VDC values shownStandard Liquid Electrolyte (BLUE LINE) and Hybrid [Solid - Liquid] Electrolyte (RED LINE) Hybrid Electrolyte [ NSPE Series ] exhibits significantly lower ESR over wide frequency range

SMT Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors V-Chip style 100uF / 6.3VDC values shownStandard Liquid Electrolyte (BLUE LINE) and Hybrid [Solid - Liquid] Electrolyte (RED LINE) Hybrid Electrolyte [ NSPE Series ] exhibits less change over temperature and significant improved at low temperatures

SMT ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS:HYBRID ELECTROLYTE - ESR over Temperature Comparison


Niobium Electrolytic Capacitors

Niobium is one of the alternatives being considered to replace tantalum in capacitors - as tantalum becomes less available and human rights issues are raised about some of its African sources. Estimates, niobium is over 100 times more plentiful than tantalum (less than 1/10th the cost). NIC’s NBP series has same construction as conductive polymer cathode tantalum (NIC NTP Series). It is anticipated that in the future, niobium capacitors will be used for high-capacity devices (up to 1000µF), which are too costly to produce using tantalum.

NIC’s niobium capacitor at a glance Specifications:Rated Voltage 2.5VCapacitance 220uFSize (D) 7.3 x 4.3 x 2.8mmESR 0.055ohmsPart Number NBP series (specifications in development)Samples NowProduction Early 2002

NEW TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS:New Product


Typical ESR over Frequency Comparison: SMT Electrolytic Capacitors220uF D-Case 2.5 ~6.3VDC

Niobium / Polymer Cathode Tantalum / Standard MnO2 Cathode Tantalum

0.040

0.0190.023

0.018

0.164

0.125

0.085

0.058

0.044

0.021

0.024

0.087

0.080

0.0200.027

0.000

0.020

0.040

0.060

0.080

0.100

0.120

0.140

0.160

0.180

1KHz 10KHz 100KHz 500KHz 1MHz

Frequency

ES

R (

oh

m)

NTP - Polymer Cathode Tantalum

NTC-T Standard MnO2 Cathode Tantalum

NBP - Polymer Cathode Niobium

NEW TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS:Niobium Electrolytic Capacitors


NEW TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS:Niobium Electrolytic Capacitors

Typical Leakage Current over Voltage (VDC) Comparison: SMT Electrolytic Capacitors 220uF D-Case 2.5 ~6.3VDC

Niobium / Polymer Cathode Tantalum / Standard MnO2 Cathode Tantalum

0.005

0.014

0.038

0.005

0.011

1.288

3.394

0.378

0.374

0.034

18.834

0.001

0.010

0.100

1.000

10.000

100.000

0.5V 1V 2.5V 6.3V

Applied Voltage (VDC)

Le

aka

ge

Cu

rre

nt

(uA

)

NTP - Polymer Cathode Tantalum

NTC-T Standard MnO2 Cathode Tantalum

NBP - Polymer Cathode Niobium

Niobium LC Spec = 0.5CV = 280uA Max.

Tantalum LC Spec = 0.1CV = 139uA Max.


REFERENCE: September 2001 - PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT - EPN

ESR is an abbreviation for Equivalent Series Resistance, the characteristic representing the sum of resistive (ohmic) losses within a capacitor. While ESR is undesirable, all capacitors exhibit it to some degree. Materials and construction techniques used to produce the capacitor all contribute to the component's ESR value. ESR is a frequency dependent characteristic, so comparison between component types should be referenced to same frequency. Industry standard reference for ESR is 100kHz at +25°C. Power dissipation within the capacitor, and the effectiveness of the capacitor's noise suppression characteristics will be related directly to the ESR value.

Why do we need low ESR? An industry wide trend towards lower voltage, higher current circuit design, fuelled by lower voltage silicon devices is causing designers to specify capacitors with minimal ESR. Higher levels of functionality in today's designs mean that despite voltage levels falling, circuit power levels have not dropped accordingly. Ohms law tells us, in very simple fashion, that at the same power dissipation level, lower voltage operation will mean higher current levels. This greatly increases the demands on the power management circuit (power supply or DC/DC converter) to deliver energy during periods of high current load stepping. Lower voltage circuit operation also imposes greater restrictions upon the output voltage variation levels. The output capacitors or capacitor bank, used in the power management circuit, need to exhibit low ESR characteristics. Ripple voltage (noise) on the output supply voltage will be directly proportional to the ESR of the capacitors used. By considering the formula: Vr = I x R, where Vr is the ripple voltage and R is the ESR, we can see that if the current (I) increases from, say, 4A to 20A then the ripple voltage will also increase by a factor of five. Increased ripple voltage (Vr) cannot be tolerated in today's and next generation designs. This is driving the demand for lower ESR capacitors.

Low ESR capacitors come to the foreThere is a rapidly increasing demand for low equivalent series resistance (ESR) capacitors in a small case, surface mount format. But what exactly is ESR, why is it important and what products are on offer to satisfy the market's hunger for these devices?


TECHNOLOGY:

What's on Offer? The high capacitance values (typically greater than 100uF) that are needed to supply energy to the circuit during high load current stepping, are most often achieved through the use of multiple SMT electrolytic capacitors. Surface mount devices are often preferred to leaded parts as they simplify PCB assembly and allow closer component placement. Low ESR SMT electrolytic capacitors mainly fall into four categories. Liquid electrolyte, vertical can chip aluminium electrolytic capacitors offer the highest values of capacitance and low ESR. They tend to be low cost, but have case sizes that are large compared to other constructions.

Solid electrolyte, resin encapsulated flat chip aluminium electrolytic capacitors feature reduced ESR, very high ripple current ratings and reduced size at a higher cost. Solid 'dry' electrolyte also greatly extends the operational life of the component when used at high temperature. Solid electrolyte, resin encapsulated flat chip MnO2 cathode tantalum electrolytic capacitors again offer low ESR. They are produced with a manganese dioxide cathode construction. Solid electrolyte, resin encapsulated flat chip polymer cathode tantalum electrolytic capacitors are available as ultra-low ESR versions. These are produced using a speciality polymer cathode construction. The Standard manganese dioxide cathode (MnO2) being replaced by a highly conductive polymer (polypyrrole) cathode that considerably reduces ESR. Indeed, the conductivity of polypyrrole is more than 100 times that of manganese dioxide.

Circuit designs incorporating lower voltage semiconductors and ICs are driving increasing demand for better and lower ESR capacitors. SMT low ESR type electrolytic capacitors offer the combined solution of high capacitance, to supply energy during high-speed load stepping, and low ESR to reduce the output filter ripple (noise) voltage to meet the needs of today's and tomorrow's power management design challenges.

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NIC COMPONENTS CORP. 1 LOW ESR CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT APPLICATIONS NIC COMPONENTS GUIDELINE 012002