NIC COMPONENTS CORP.

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LOW ESR CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS NIC COMPONENTS GUIDELINE 012002
NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
Increasing Need for Lower ESR Capacitors
Industry trends for next generation systems

• Industry trends for next generation systems
• Higher Speed of Operation (1Ghz up)

• Industry trends for next generation systems
• Higher Speed of Operation (1Ghz up)
• Lower Voltage of Operation (sub 2VDC)

• Industry trends for next generation systems
• Higher Speed of Operation (1Ghz up)
• Lower Voltage of Operation (sub 2VDC)
• Higher Current of Operation (40A up)

• Industry trends for next generation systems
• Higher Speed of Operation (1Ghz up)
• Lower Voltage of Operation (sub 2VDC)
• Higher Current of Operation (40A up)
• Tighter Regulation Windows

40A 15A 5A
Increasing Current
Decreasing Voltage of Operation

• Low Voltage High Current Requirements
• Applications
• Voltage Converters (AC/DC, DC/DC)
• Voltage Regulators
• Servers and Workstations
• High Current, Ultra-fast Transient
  Microprocessors

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
NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
C
ESR
?
I
IR

• 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!

NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
2.8V 0.1 -0.06V
Intel is identifying maximum ESR of output
filter capacitors to meet output voltage
regulation limits
Allowable Variation Window
VDC
Ripple Voltage(Vr) Vr I x ESR
INTEL VRM8.2 Voltage Regulator Module
2700uF/10VDC/0.034? ESR max. Low ESR Capacitor
NIC SMT version NACZF332M16V18X22TR (0.028?
Z) NIC LEADED version NRSZ272M10V12.5X25 (0.032?
Z) NRSX272M10V12.5X25 (0.029? Z)
When used in output filter
Lower capacitor ESR Lower output ripple
voltage (Vr)

NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
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).

NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
Noise budgets help maintain signal integrity in
low-voltage systems The first layer of
defense To getenough 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
NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
Selecting By-Pass Decoupling Capacitors

To minimize line voltage fluctuation under high
load current conditions Low ESR bypass-
decoupling capacitors are required.
Lower capacitor ESR Lower voltage fluctuation
NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW ESR POLYMER CATHODETANTALUM ELECTROLYTIC
CAPACITORS
LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
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.
Higher Conductivity of polymer results in reduced
ESR
Conductive polymer (polypyrrole) cathode
(replaces manganese dioxide) for low ESR high
ripple current applications.
Comparison of Conductivity
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
LOW ESR POLYMER CATHODETANTALUM ELECTROLYTIC
CAPACITORS
Comparison of Capacitance over Temperature
NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
LOW ESR POLYMER CATHODETANTALUM ELECTROLYTIC
CAPACITORS
10uF / 16VDC ALUMINUM
10uF / 6.3VDC TANTALUM
10uF / 6.3VDC P/N NTP100M6.3TRA
100uF / 16VDC P/N NTP101M16TRD
Comparison of ESR over Temperature
NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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POLYMER ELECTROLYTESOLID ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC
CAPACITORS
NSP Series
also see www.lowESR.com
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.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
Surface Mount Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
MOLDED FLAT CHIP SOLID ALUMINUM
NSP Series
NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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LOW LOSS CAPACITORS FOR HIGH CURRENT
APPLICATIONS
Surface Mount Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
MOLDED FLAT CHIP SOLID ALUMINUM
P/N NSP220M6.3TR 22uF / 6.3VDC

Impedance
ESR Impedance (Ohm)
ESR
Sub 0.020? ESR
Frequency
NIC COMPONENTS CORP.
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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

• 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. 

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SMT ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS HYBRID
ELECTROLYTE

• 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

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
as 0.023ohm) with high ripple current ratings (up
to 2.18Arms105ºC/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.
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SMT ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS HYBRID
ELECTROLYTE - ESR over Frequency Comparison

NSPE Series - Low ESR Hybrid Electrolyte
Electrolytic Capacitors in SMT V-Chip  
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 
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SMT ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS HYBRID
ELECTROLYTE - ESR over Temperature Comparison

NSPE Series - Low ESR Hybrid Electrolyte
Electrolytic Capacitors in SMT V-Chip  
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  
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NEW TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS New Product

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). NICs 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. NICs niobium capacitor at a
glance Specifications Rated Voltage 2.5V Capaci
tance 220uF Size (D) 7.3 x 4.3 x
2.8mm ESR 0.055ohms Part Number NBP series
(specifications in development) Samples
Now Production Early 2002
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NEW TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS Niobium Electrolytic
Capacitors

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NEW TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS Niobium Electrolytic
Capacitors

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REFERENCE September 2001 - PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT -
EPN

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?
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
25C. 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.
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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.