A new family of silicon-based RF capacitors in the 0201 footprint that will help designers reduce the size and improve the performance of wireless communications products has been released by Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

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Based on a proprietary Vishay semiconductor process, the HPC0201A silicon capacitors enable higher-performance, higher-precision operation at high frequencies while delivering low parasitic inductance and tight tolerances. Device dimensions are just 0.024 inch [0.61 mm] by 0.012 inch [0.30 mm] with a thin 0.009-inch [0.23 mm] height profile.

The single-side contact configuration of the HPC0201A eliminates the "tombstoning" problem that plagues board assembly when using conventional capacitors with wraparound terminations. The smooth, flat silicon surface of the HPC0201A simplifies the pick-up step in pick-and-place operations, making board assembly faster and more efficient. Yet the HPC0201A capacitors fit on exactly the same pads designed for conventional wraparound terminations.

Typical applications for the HPC0201A capacitors include voltage-controlled oscillators, filter networks, matching networks and RF modules for wireless communications products including mobile phones, cordless phones, and global positioning systems. HPC0201A capacitors are also used in medical applications such as implantable defibrillators.

Compared with conventional RF capacitors, the silicon capacitors offer stable capacitance over a wide range of frequencies from 1 MHz to several GHz. Their semiconductor construction additionally provides low ESR values, high-Q factors, tight tolerances, an ultra-high self-resonant frequency (SRF), and low parasitic inductance of ~0.035 nH. For example, at 39 pF, the HPC0201A offers twice the capacitance in one-fourth the space required by conventional RF capacitors in the 0402 size.

Available in 44 standard capacitance options ranging from 0.4 pF to 39 pF with tight tolerances as low as ±1 percent or 0.05 pF, the capacitors announced today are rated for 6-V, 10-V, 16-V, and 25-V operation. Devices with non-standard capacitance values and with lead (Pb)-free solder are available on request.

Samples of the HPC0201A silicon capacitors are available now, with lead times of stock to 10 weeks for production quantities. Typical pricing for U.S. delivery is $0.058 each for devices with ±2 percent tolerance in production quantities. Design kits are also available.