2018.12.06
Points of this article
・There are two main points to consider for the effective use of decoupling capacitors: (1) Use of multiple capacitors, and (2) lowering capacitor ESL values.
・By lowering the capacitor ESL, high-frequency characteristics are improved, and high-frequency noise can be more effectively attenuated.
・There are capacitors which, even for the same capacitance, have ESL values that are lowered through innovations in the size and structure.
In the previous article, as Point 1 in “Effective Use of Decoupling Capacitors”, we explained “Use of multiple decoupling capacitors”. In this article, we move on to Point 2.
The second point in the effective use of decoupling capacitors is the approach of lowering the capacitor ESL, or equivalent series inductance. However, the ESL of a capacitor cannot itself be changed, and so lowering the ESL in effect means using a capacitor with the same electrostatic capacitance, but with a lower ESL. By lowering the ESL, the high-frequency characteristics are improved, and high-frequency noise can be more effectively decreased.
・Using a capacitor that has the same value but is smaller in size
Some multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are made available as products having the same capacitance value, but in different-size packages. The ESL depends on the structure of the terminal portions. Smaller-size capacitors necessarily have smaller terminals, and so normally the ESL is smaller.
In noise countermeasures, when it is necessary to attenuate the noise at higher frequencies, one method is to select capacitors of smaller sizes.
・Using a capacitor with a lowered ESL
Among multilayer ceramic capacitors, there are types the ESL of which is lowered through innovations in the shape and structure.
As shown in the graphic image, capacitors generally have electrodes on the short-edge sides; in contrast, LW reversed type capacitors have the electrodes on the long-edge sides. The name derives from the fact that the length (L) and the width (W) edges are reversed. By increasing the electrode width, the ESL is lowered.
A three-terminal capacitor is a capacitor obtained by modifying structure of a general (two-terminal) capacitor to improve the frequency characteristic. In a three-terminal capacitor, the other end of one of the terminals (electrodes) of a two-terminal capacitor is passed to the outside as a feed-through terminal, and the other terminal is used as a GND terminal. In the diagram above, the input/output electrodes correspond to a penetrating terminal both ends of which are drawn out, and the left and right electrodes are of course conducting. A dielectric is present between the input/output electrodes (feed-through terminals) and the GND electrode, so that the device functions as a capacitor.
The input/output terminals are connected in series with a power supply and a signal line (one of the input/output terminals is connected to the input side, and the other is connected to the output side), and the GND electrode is connected to ground. As a result, the ESL of the input/output terminals is not included on the ground side, and so the ground impedance is extremely low. Moreover, series insertion into the noise path means that the ESL of the input/output terminals contributes to reduce noise (increase the insertion loss).
By arranging a pair of GND electrodes on the long-edge sides, the ESL is kept small, and by using a parallel connection, the ESL is halved.
Using such a structure, a three-terminal capacitor can be designed with the ESR held low in addition to the extremely small ESL, the frequency characteristic can be improved dramatically compared with a two-terminal capacitor having the same capacitance value.
In the next article, we will explain a number of related points that should be noted.
Downloadable materials, including lecture materials from ROHM-sponsored seminars and a selection guide for DC-DC converters, are now available.
Downloadable materials, including lecture materials from ROHM-sponsored seminars and a selection guide for DC-DC converters, are now available.