Shielded Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Layout for Broadband Low Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current capacitor technologies face challenges in achieving low insertion loss across a broad range of frequencies, particularly at high frequencies, due to limitations in design and materials used in multilayer ceramic capacitors.
Innovation Solution
A broadband multilayer ceramic capacitor design featuring a monolithic body with alternating dielectric and electrode layers, including shield electrodes with offset longitudinal edges, which are arranged to minimize insertion loss by optimizing the configuration of active and shield electrodes within the capacitor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional multilayer ceramic capacitor designs are used, then the capacitor can function at high frequencies, but insertion loss increases significantly at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is divided into multiple functional segments: active electrode layers for capacitance, shield electrode layers for electromagnetic shielding, and dielectric layers for insulation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, with shield electrodes specifically designed to reduce insertion loss at high frequencies by blocking parasitic electromagnetic fields
Solution Approach 2:
Shield electrode layers are introduced as intermediary elements between the active electrodes and the external environment. These shield electrodes act as mediators that block parasitic electromagnetic fields and reduce coupling between adjacent capacitors, thereby reducing insertion loss at high frequencies without affecting the primary capacitance function
2Loss of energy
If shield electrodes are added to reduce insertion loss, then broadband performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield electrode layers are merged with the existing electrode structure by alternating them with active electrode layers in a stacked configuration. This merging approach integrates the shielding function into the existing capacitor architecture without requiring separate shielding components, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining broadband performance
Solution Approach 2:
The shield electrodes serve multiple functions: they provide electromagnetic shielding to reduce insertion loss, act as additional capacitance elements, and provide structural support within the monolithic body. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device design while achieving broadband performance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a multilayer ceramic capacitor. A plurality of active electrodes may be arranged within a monolithic body of the capacitor and parallel with a longitudinal direction. A first shield electrode may be arranged within the monolithic body and parallel with the longitudinal direction. The first shield electrode may be connected with a first external terminal. The first shield electrode may have a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge that are each aligned with the lateral direction and face away from the first external terminal. The second longitudinal edge may be offset in the longitudinal direction from the first longitudinal edge by a shield electrode offset distance. A second shield electrode may be connected with a second external terminal. The second shield electrode may be approximately aligned with the first shield electrode in the Z-direction.