New Industry Products

Automotive-Grade Solid Ta Chip Capacitors in Small Case Sizes Down to 0603

January 09, 2014 by Jeff Shepard

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. introduced a new series of molded, automotive-grade MicroTan® solid tantalum chip capacitors. For the next generation of space-constrained automotive electronics, the TP8 is the first AEC-Q200-qualified tantalum capacitor series to employ a high-volumetrically efficient packaging solution to enable industry-high capacitance-voltage ratings in small case sizes down to 0603. Previously, the industry's offering of automotive-grade molded chip capacitors was limited to A through D case sizes. With the TP8 series, designers now have access to a variety of smaller case sizes – including the 0603, 0805, and 0906 – with the same capacitance and voltage ratings found in the larger devices.

The TP8 series features capacitance-voltage ratings from 1.0 microfarads-40 V to 100 microfarads-6.3 V. Included in this range are industry-best values such as 1.0 microfarads-20 V in the 0603 case size and 100 microfarads-6.3 V in the 1206 case. The devices offer standard capacitance tolerances of 10 % and 20 % and an operating temperature range of -55 to +85 degrees C, or +125 degrees C with voltage derating.

With their small case sizes, the TP8 devices save board space for bulk capacitance, energy storage, filtering, and decoupling in space-constrained automotive applications including tire pressure monitoring systems, camera modules, rearview mirrors, and remote keyless entry.

The devices' rectangular molded case encapsulation is ideal for high-volume PCB assembly, and their lead (Pb)-free, L-shaped facedown terminations offer better mechanical and electrical contact to the solder pad than traditional facedown-style terminations. The RoHS-compliant capacitors are available in 8 mm tape and reel packaging per EIA-481. Samples and production quantities of the TP8 capacitors are available now, with lead times of 10 weeks for larger orders.