MLCC capacitors for RF and microwave applications

Capacitors have numerous applications in today’s RF and microwave systems. The performance characteristics of these components are greatly dependent on the frequency. Unlike typical uses, RF and microwave applications demand capacitors that are specially optimized to operate at high frequencies. The impressive characteristics of today’s multilayer ceramic (MLCC) capacitors make them an ideal choice for various RF and microwave applications. In this article, we will explore some of the key considerations when selecting capacitors for these applications.

Uses of capacitors in RF and microwave circuits

Capacitors have a broad array of applications in high-frequency circuits and systems. Some of the most common applications include filtering, bypassing, impedance matching, DC blocking, tuning and timing applications. These circuits can be found in a broad array of high-frequency systems including the following:

• Wireless broadcast equipment
• Satellite communication equipment
• Matching networks
• Voltage controlled oscillators
• Wireless LAN devices
• RF power amplifiers
• RF modules and filters
• Broadband test equipment
• Optoelectronics/high-speed systems

As the number of electronic systems operating at high frequencies increase (5G, automotive radars, High speed satellites etc.), so is the demand for capacitive devices that are optimized to operate at RF and microwave frequencies. Consequently, there has been a significant improvement in the design and construction of capacitors, especially ceramic capacitors.

The performance characteristics of capacitors are significantly affected by conditions at which a component is used. Variations in frequency and/or temperature are known to significantly impact the overall performance of capacitors. For RF and microwave applications, capacitors with the following characteristics are required:

• Extremely low equivalent series resistance (ESR)
• Ultra high self-resonance characteristics
• Ultra high Q
• High thermal stability
• Zero or negligible piezoelectric noise
• Zero or negligible decay in capacitance with timeZero or negligible variation in capacitance with applied voltage
• Zero or negligible variation in capacitance with temperature
• Good solderability

Key capacitor considerations for RF and microwave applications

For typical applications, some of the main performance characteristics to consider when choosing a capacitor include the voltage characteristics, temperature characteristics, termination and capacitance value. As the frequency of operation increases, there are other factors that become critical and must be considered when selecting a component.

To start with, at RF and microwave frequencies, it is imperative to consider the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of a component. RF and microwave applications demand capacitors with low ESR. The power loss in a circuit is greatly determined by the ESR of the capacitive components used. To minimize power loss in high-frequency circuits, it is crucial to use components with extremely low ESR.

When choosing a capacitor for a high-frequency application, it is also important to consider the attenuation properties of a component. A component with poor attenuation characteristics can significantly degrade a signal thereby affecting the overall performance of a circuit. The attenuation characteristics of a capacitor are commonly described in terms of self-resonant frequency.

The performance characteristics of a capacitor are greatly determined by the materials used as well as the construction techniques used. In the case of MLCCs, the materials used to affect both the equivalent series resistance and the self-resonant frequency.

The frequency-sensitive properties of MLCCs vary depending on the class of materials used for their construction. Class I ceramic materials, for example, NPO and COG, yield capacitors with very low ESR. Even at high frequencies, the ESR of these components is relatively low. On the flip side, these components have a relatively high self-resonant frequency at RF and microwave frequencies. See Tab 1. below with an example of RF & Microwave C0G MLCC specifications.

Tab.1. Example of RF & Microwave C0G MLCC specification; source: Kemet Electronics Q-CBR series datasheet

In comparison, Class II ceramic materials, for example X7R, yield MLCCs with slightly different performance characteristics. At high frequencies, Class II ceramic capacitors exhibit relatively high ESR and relatively low SRF.

At RF and microwave frequencies, the ESR of Class I ceramic capacitors is lower than that of Class II ceramic capacitors while the SRF of Class I ceramic capacitors is higher than that of Class II capacitors. In most high frequency applications, the very low ESR of Class I ceramic capacitors make them better choice.

Although the ceramic formulation is arguably the main factor that determines the performance of ceramic capacitors, it is important to note that the overall performance of a component is determined by a matrix of factors. For special applications that demand optimum performance, it is crucially important to ensure that the design of a component is fully optimized.

Electrodes play a critical role in the operation of capacitors. In ordinary capacitors, copper and nickel (BME) are commonly used as electrodes. At high frequencies, capacitors that have nickel electrodes exhibit unacceptably high losses. To overcome this limitation, materials with better conductivity characteristics are developed.

Traditionally compared to BME electroides, precious metals (PME) have had better conductivity and were commonly used as electrodes in capacitors for applications that demand low losses. The precious metals that are commonly used for this purpose include palladium, silver, and platinum. Nevertheless, the high cost of PME lead to the development of new generation of BME electrodes based on copper exhibiting very high conductivity and low losses. See Fig.1 below.

Electrical resistance and power dissipation comparison of BME and PME RF MLCCs; source: Kemet Electronics

When selecting an electrode material for a high frequency capacitor, it is important to consider how it impacts various performance characteristics, especially insertion loss and self-resonant frequency.

modified by EPCI from source: