The Many Jobs of a Capacitor in RF and Microwave

Posted by Peter Matthews on Aug 9, 2023 8:00:00 AM

Radio frequency (RF) and microwave applications involve transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals at high frequencies. While these terms are often used interchangeably, RF means AC signals at 3 kHz to 300 GHz. For microwave, it’s more like 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Capacitors play a central role in these applications because they are concerned with capacitance, naturally, and impedance (i.e., resistance), which vary with frequency. Functionally, these passive electronic components store energy in an electric field. 

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Topics: Capacitor

Capacitor Fundamentals: Part 11 - High Reliability Testing

Posted by Simon Mao on Aug 1, 2023 8:30:00 AM

Welcome to the Capacitor Fundamentals Series, where we teach you about the ins and outs of chips capacitors – their properties, product classifications, test standards, and use cases – in order to help you make informed decisions about the right capacitors for your specific applications. After describing standard industry test testing in our previous article, let’s discuss high reliability testing for capacitors.

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Topics: Capacitor, High Reliability

Looking Closer at Resonant Capacitors in Electric Vehicles

Posted by Simon Mao on Jul 26, 2023 9:00:00 AM

One of the primary goals in electric vehicles (EVs) is to increase the efficiency of its power conversion devices. The more efficiently power is converted, the further distance the EV can travel on one charge. For example, by reducing losses in a DC-to-DC (or DC/DC) converter, the converter (and overall vehicle) benefits from improved energy efficiency, a more streamlined design, and diminished heating from components.

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Topics: Capacitor, Automotive, Electric Vehicles

Understanding the Role of Ceramic Capacitors in Implantable Deep Brain Stimulators

Posted by Jordan Yates on Jul 19, 2023 8:30:00 AM

A deep brain stimulator (DBS), also known as a neuro-stimulator, is a medical device that uses electrical stimulation to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The DBS is typically implanted under the skin near the collarbone or in the abdomen, and connected to a thin wire, or lead, that runs under the skin to the targeted area of the brain as shown in Figure 1. 

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Topics: Capacitor, Medical

Capacitor Fundamentals: Part 10 – Industry Test Standards

Posted by Simon Mao on Jul 16, 2023 8:00:00 AM

Welcome to the Capacitor Fundamentals Series, where we teach you about the ins and outs of chips capacitors – their properties, product classifications, test standards, and use cases – in order to help you make informed decisions about the right capacitors for your specific applications. After describing test parameters and electrical properties in our previous article, let’s discuss industry test standards for capacitors.

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Topics: Capacitor

Capacitor Fundamentals: Part 9 – Test Parameters and Electrical Properties

Posted by Simon Mao on Jul 9, 2023 8:15:00 AM

Welcome to the Capacitor Fundamentals Series, where we teach you about the ins and outs of chips capacitors – their properties, product classifications, test standards, and use cases – in order to help you make informed decisions about the right capacitors for your specific applications. After describing dielectric classifications in our previous article, let’s discuss capacitor test conditions and electrical properties.

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Topics: Capacitor

What Are DC-Blocking Capacitors, and Why Are They Important?

Posted by Jordan Yates on Jun 21, 2023 1:48:35 PM

Electronic devices power our world and allow us to communicate. In all applications requiring signal integrity and accurate power amplification, blocking capacitors are used to provide clean waveforms and correctly amplified voltages.

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Topics: Capacitor

The Important Role of a Bypass Capacitor

Posted by Jordan Yates on Jun 14, 2023 8:30:00 AM

Electronic devices provide the tools we need to power the world. From cell phones to modern vehicles to scientific equipment to the appliances in our homes, we rely on electronics to improve and even lengthen our lives. All electronics depend on clean power, and the bypass capacitor is crucial in ensuring devices safely meet their power specifications.

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Topics: Capacitor

Capacitor Fundamentals: Part 8 – Dielectric Classifications

Posted by Simon Mao on Jun 12, 2023 8:45:00 AM

Welcome to the Capacitor Fundamentals Series, where we teach you about the ins and outs of chips capacitors – their properties, product classifications, test standards, and use cases – in order to help you make informed decisions about the right capacitors for your specific applications. After describing linear dielectrics in our previous article, let’s discuss the different types of dielectrics.

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Topics: Capacitor

Capacitor Fundamentals: Part 7 – Linear Dielectrics

Posted by Simon Mao on Jun 7, 2023 8:00:00 AM

Welcome to the Capacitor Fundamentals Series, where we teach you about the ins and outs of chips capacitors – their properties, product classifications, test standards, and use cases – in order to help you make informed decisions about the right capacitors for your specific applications. After discussing ferroelectric ceramics in our previous article, let’s describe some interesting characteristics of linear dielectrics.

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Topics: Capacitor

Insights Into Precision Passive Devices

Knowles Precision Devices is a premier global source for Capacitors, RF Filters, EMI Filters, Resonators, non-magnetic components and advanced dielectric materials. An umbrella for the brands of Compex, DLI, Johanson MFG, Novacap, Syfer and Voltronics, Knowles Precision Devices serves a variety of markets including military, aerospace/avionics, medical equipment, implantable devices, EMI and connector filtering, oil exploration, instrumentation, industrial electronics, automotive, telecoms and data networks.

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