Samsung Electro-Mechanics Develops World's Largest Capacity 16V-Class MLCC for Autonomous Vehicles

"Industry's Highest Capacity Among 16V-Class Automotive MLCCs"

Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 19th that it has developed the world's largest capacity 16V-class multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in autonomous vehicles. The company plans to accelerate its market penetration by expanding its lineup for automotive electronics (electric and electronic equipment for vehicles).

Samsung Electro-Mechanics developed two types of products mounted on autonomous vehicle ADAS. These are 16V-class high-voltage products with capacities of 100nF (nanofarads) in the 0603 size (0.6mm width × 0.3mm length) and 4.7μF (microfarads) in the 1608 size (1.6mm width × 0.8mm length), respectively.

MLCCs are components that control the flow of current in product circuits to be stable and consistent. In automobiles, at least 3,000 to 10,000 MLCCs are installed in power transmission, safety, driving, and infotainment components.

This product is used in the gateway module, a core device for autonomous driving. The automotive gateway is a key system that integrates and manages ADAS functions and securely transmits data.

To receive fast and accurate signals between semiconductors, stable power supply and noise elimination are essential. Especially as autonomous driving functions become more advanced and electric vehicle fast charging and driving range increase, the demand for ultra-small, high-capacity, and high-voltage MLCCs is growing.

Stacked Ceramic Capacitor (MLCC) for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) by Samsung Electro-Mechanics. [Photo by Samsung Electro-Mechanics]

The two models developed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics are products that realize the industry's largest capacity and high voltage among products of the same size.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics explained that it is difficult to satisfy both high voltage and large capacity when manufacturing MLCCs. If the dielectric for electric storage is designed thicker to increase voltage, the number of internal dielectric layers that can be stacked decreases, making it difficult to increase capacity.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics miniaturized the core raw material dielectric ceramic powder to the nanometer (nm, 1nm = one billionth of a meter) scale. By applying proprietary additives and new processes, it minimized the space within the dielectric to enable stable operation at high voltage.

Choi Jae-yeol, Vice President and Head of the Component Solution Business Division at Samsung Electro-Mechanics, said, "Samsung Electro-Mechanics will enhance its technology competitiveness by independently developing and manufacturing core raw materials for MLCCs, and strengthen its automotive business by expanding the automotive lineup through equipment internalization and production capacity enhancement."

Samsung Electro-Mechanics stated, "We are expanding MLCC supply to global automotive parts manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.