Stacked-Ceramic Caps Brave High Temperatures

A growing number of applications require electronics that can survive and operate in extreme environmental conditions. Oil drilling, hybrid vehicles and aerospace provide application examples where electronic components must perform at very high temperatures. For example, electronic equipment used in the search for petroleum reserves may be exposed to temperatures in excess of 200°C, while also subjected to extreme shock and vibration.

Specific component types may have additional requirements. For example, capacitors in these applications must be able to supply high currents and also operate over a wide voltage range. A new stacked-ceramic-capacitor technology developed for use in switch-mode power supplies employs a specially developed dielectric and high-temperature solder to address extreme environmental and electrical requirements.