Automotive Grade Accu-P Thin-Film Technology This accuracy sets apart these Thin-Film capacitors from THE IDEAL CAPACITOR ceramic capacitors so that the term Accu has been The non-ideal characteristics of a real capacitor can be employed as the designation for this series of devices, an ignored at low frequencies. Physical size imparts inductance abbreviation for accurate. to the capacitor and dielectric and metal electrodes result in resistive losses, but these often are of negligible effect on the circuit. At the very high frequencies of radio communication THIN-FILM TECHNOLOGY (>100MHz) and satellite systems (>1GHz), these effects Thin-film technology is commonly used in producing semi- become important. Recognizing that a real capacitor will conductor devices. In the last two decades, this technology exhibit inductive and resistive impedances in addition to has developed tremendously, both in performance and in capacitance, the ideal capacitor for these high frequencies is process control. Todays techniques enable line definitions of an ultra low loss component which can be fully characterized below 1m, and the controlling of thickness of layers at 100 in all parameters with total repeatability from unit to unit. -2 (10 m). Applying this technology to the manufacture of Until recently, most high frequency/microwave capacitors capacitors has enabled the development of components were based on fired-ceramic (porcelain) technology. Layers where both electrical and physical properties can be tightly of ceramic dielectric material and metal alloy electrode paste controlled. are interleaved and then sintered in a high temperature oven. The thin-film production facilities at AVX consist of: This technology exhibits component variability in dielectric Class 1000 clean rooms, with working areas under quality (losses, dielectric constant and insulation resistance), laminar-flow hoods of class 100, (below 100 particles variability in electrode conductivity and variability in physical per cubic foot larger than 0.5m). size (affecting inductance). An alternate thin-film technology has been developed which virtually eliminates these vari- High vacuum metal deposition systems for high-purity ances. It is this technology which has been fully incorporated electrode construction. into Accu-P and Accu-P to provide high frequency capaci- Photolithography equipment for line definition down to tors exhibiting truly ideal characteristics. 2.0m accuracy. The main features of Accu-P may be summarized as follows: Plasma-enhanced CVD for various dielectric deposi- tions (CVD=Chemical Vapor Deposition). High purity of electrodes for very low and repeatable ESR. High accuracy, microprocessor-controlled dicing saws for chip separation. Highly pure, low-K dielectric for high breakdown field, high insulation resistance and low losses to frequencies High speed, high accuracy sorting to ensure strict above 40GHz. tolerance adherence. Very tight dimensional control for uniform inductance, unit to unit. Very tight capacitance tolerances for high frequency signal applications. Orientation Marking Alumina (Al O ) 2 3 Electrode Seal (SiNO) Dielectric (SiO / SiNO) 2 Electrode Alumina (Al O ) 2 3 Terminations ACCU-P CAPACITOR STRUCTURE 011717 1 Automotive Grade Accu-P Thin-Film Technology APPLICATIONS ACCU-P TECHNOLOGY Cellular Communications Radar Systems The use of very low-loss dielectric materials, silicon dioxide and silicon oxynitride, in conjunction with highly conductive elec- CT2/PCN (Cordless Video Switching trode metals results in low ESR and high Q. These Telephone/Personal Comm. Test & Measurements high-frequency characteristics change at a slower rate with Networks) Filters increasing frequency than for ceramic microwave capacitors. Satellite TV VCO s Because of the thin-film technology, the above-mentioned Cable TV frequency characteristics are obtained without significant Matching Networks GPS (Global Positioning Systems) compromise of properties required for surface mounting. RF Amplifiers Vehicle Location Systems The main Accu-P properties are: Vehicle Alarm Systems Internationally agreed sizes with excellent dimensional APPROVALS control. Paging ISO 9001 Ultra small size chip capacitors (01005) are available. Military Communications Ultra tight capacitance tolerances. Low ESR at VHF, UHF and microwave frequencies. PERFORMANCE TESTING Enhanced RF power handling capablity. ALL COMPONENTS COMPLY WITH AEC-Q200 STANDARD High stability with respect to time, temperature, frequency and voltage variation. AEC-Q200 Qualifications: Nickel/solder-coated terminations to provide excellent sol- Created by the Automotive Electronics Council derability and leach resistance. Specification defining stress test qualification for passive components Testing: ACCU-P FEATURES Key tests used to compare soft Accu-P meets the fast-growing demand for low-loss termination to AEC-Q200 qualification: (high-Q) capacitors for use in surface mount technology espe- Bend Test cially for the mobile communications market, such as cellular Temperature Cycle Test radio of 450 and 900 MHz, UHF walkie-talkies, UHF cordless *Detailed qualification package is available on request telephones to 2.3 GHz, low noise blocks at 11-12.5 GHz and for other VHF, UHF and microwave applications. Accu-P is currently unique in its ability to offer very low capacitance values (0.05pF) and very tight capacitance tolerances (0.01pF). The RF power handling capability of the Accu-P allows for its usage in both small signal and RF power applica- tions. Thin Film Technology guarantees minimal batch to batch variability of parameters at high frequency. Inspection test and quality control procedures in accor- dance with ISO 9001, CECC, IECQ and USA MIL Standards yield products of the highest quality. Hand soldering Accu-P : Due to their construction utilizing relatively high thermal conductivity materials, Accu-Ps have become the preferred device in R & D labs and pro- duction environments where hand soldering is used. 020720 2