Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced today that it has developed high-voltage, high-capacity multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for the Advanced Drive Assist System (ADAS), an essential system for autonomous vehicles, and will expand its product lineup for high-performance electronics.
MLCCs are components that control the constant and stable flow of current in the circuits of electronic products, and are widely used in smartphones, PCs, IT devices, home appliances, automobiles, 5G, and IoT-related products.
The MLCCs developed this time have high-voltage characteristics of 16V (volts) and come in two sizes: 0603 (0.6mm wide and 0.3mm long) with 100nF (nanofarad) capacitance and 1608 (1.6mm wide and 0.8mm long) with 4.7uF (microfarad) capacitance. The products are used in the Gateway module, a key device for autonomous driving.
The automotive gateway is a core system that integrates and manages each ADAS function within the vehicle and securely transmits data, and it is essential to have a stable power supply and signal noise (noise) removal to ensure fast and accurate signal transmission between semiconductors.
In particular, MLCCs with ultra-small size, high capacity, and high voltage are required due to the advancement of autonomous driving functions, fast charging of electric vehicles, and increased mileage.
The two models developed in this study realize the industry's highest capacity and high voltage in the same size. In general, it is difficult for MLCCs to satisfy voltage and capacity characteristics at the same time. If the dielectric that stores electricity is designed to be thicker to increase voltage characteristics, the number of internal dielectric layers that can be stacked decreases, making it difficult to increase capacity.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics has achieved high capacity by refining the dielectric ceramic powder, a key raw material, to the nanoscale level.
In addition, by minimizing the empty space within the dielectric by applying independently developed additives and new methods, it can operate stably even at high voltages.
"The demand for small, high-performance, and highly reliable MLCCs is increasing significantly due to the electrification of automobiles," said Jae-Yeol Choi, Vice President of the Component Solutions Division at Samsung Electro-Mechanics. "We will enhance our technological competitiveness by developing and manufacturing core raw materials for MLCCs in-house, and strengthen our electronics business by expanding our electronics lineup through internalization of facilities and strengthening production capacity."
Samsung Electro-Mechanics is strengthening its product lineup and expanding its supply of MLCCs to global auto parts and automobile manufacturers.
