AVX Integrates Four R-C Elements in 0612 Z Array for Impedance-Matching in High Speed Digital Circuits.

Four-element 0612 surface mount device is the world's smallest

thick film R-C array...

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 1999--

Providing design engineers with the potential to further increase circuit densities, AVX Corp. recently introduced a four-element array version of its revolutionary Z Chip integrated resistor/capacitor device.

Designated the Z Array, the 0612 four-element package is less than 25% the size of conventional R-C arrays, typically sold in 2512 size packages. The Z Array is ideal for providing impedance matching on multiple circuit traces, eliminating reflections and ensuring maximum signal integrity.

Unlike conventional R-C devices, the elements of the Z Array are constructed using a resistive material for the capacitor electrode to create the resistor value rather than adding a separate resistor to the existing capacitor. The material also acts as the electrode plate to form the capacitor, and the resulting integrated R-C device exhibits half the inductance of any other technology, a key benefit for high-speed digital circuits in data communication applications.

"The low inductance Z Array offers an ideal solution for high density AC bus termination because it combines the impedance matching properties of a resistor with the high DC resistance of a capacitor," said Joe Rana, AVX product manager. "The resistor in the Z Array element matches impedance and sets the time constant of the device, while the capacitor provides a high DC resistance and conditions the signal."

The Z Array is finding application as line terminators and low power snubbers in portable electronic devices, including cellular phones, pagers and laptop computers, as well as telecommunications and desktop computers, Rana added.

According to the company, the Z Array is the smallest four-element R-C device in the industry, at less than 25% the size of a typical 2512 device. The 0612 Z Array's package contains the functional equivalent of eight devices (four capacitors and four resistors) to achieve a component density of 78 components per cm2. This compares to a density of 32 per cm2 if 0402 discrete chips are placed with 40 mil spacing.

The Z Array is available with capacitor values of 33, 47, 68 and 100pF with a tolerance of +/-20%, and resistor values of 22, 33, 47, 51, 80 and 100 ohms with a tolerance of +/-10% and TCRs of +/-250ppm/(degree)C. The DC rated voltage is 25V and the capacitor provides near NPO dielectric performance. Standard ratings available from stock include: 47pF/100(ohms); 68pF/51(ohms); 100pF/47(ohms); and 47pF/47(ohms).

Typical pricing for the Z Chip(TM) starts at $0.18 in quantities of 100,000 and several resistor-capacitor combinations are available from stock. For more information on the Z Array, contact AVX Sales & Marketing at 843-946-0414, by fax at 843-448-1943, or on the Worldwide Web at http://www.avxcorp.com.