Introduction

In this technical review, we will examine the performance of a Ceramic: X7R, 100nF capacitor manufactured by Walsin Technology Corporation, part number 0402B104K160CT. The review will provide a nuanced investigation of the component's performance in comparison with the statistical benchmark data. The focus will be on parameters such as capacitance, series resistance, dissipation factor, and quality factor.

Pros:

• High performance in a small package (0402) makes it suitable for compact applications.
• Ceramic: X7R composition provides robust performance over a broad temperature range.
• Surface mount characteristics allow for easy assembly and integration into PCB designs.
• 16V voltage rating accommodates a wide range of applications.

Cons:

• The relatively high dissipation factors at certain frequencies may limit the component's efficiency in specific applications.
• Some measured values deviate from the nominal capacitance value, deeming it necessary to consider tolerances in design processes.
• Inconsistent quality factor performance raises potential concerns for frequency-dependent performance.

Impedance

The 0402B104K160CT capacitor demonstrates dependable impedance performance taking into account established industry benchmarks. With a capacitance of 100nF, a tolerance of ±10%, and a rated voltage of 16V, this capacitor operates under varying conditions within a wide range of test frequencies.

At 1V, the 0402B104K160CT exhibits impedance values ranging from 316.6k Ohms to 1.887M Ohms within test frequencies spanning from 5 Hz to 1 MHz. The average impedance adheres well to the minimum and maximum statistical benchmarks, with only minor discrepancies witnessed. For instance, at a frequency of 5 Hz, the capacitor registers an impedance of 316.6k Ohms, while the benchmark is 313.4k Ohms average with minimum and maximum values of 278k Ohms and 345.9k Ohms, respectively. The deviations at higher frequencies, such as at 1 kHz (1.617k Ohms versus the statistical benchmark of 1.61k Ohms average), prove relatively insignificant and should minimally affect the overall performance in most applications.

At an operating voltage of 10V, the impedance values demonstrate a reduced range compared to the capacitor's performance at 1V. The values go as low as 293.6k Ohms and reach indeterminate values at the top end of the frequency range. Nevertheless, within specific frequency bands, the capacitor provides satisfactory performance. For example, at 20 kHz, it records an impedance of 74.41 Ohms, comfortably situated between the benchmark's range of 77.82 Ohms to 93.88 Ohms, with an average of 83.88 Ohms.

In summary, the 0402B104K160CT capacitor showcases relatively consistent impedance performance when benchmarked against industry standards. Minor discrepancies at certain test frequencies do exist; however, this capacitor can cater to the needs of various electronics engineers, provided it is used within its operational specifications and tolerance limits. Understanding the component's performance characteristics across its operational range allows engineers to make informed decisions for optimal circuit designs and applications.

Capacitance

At a test voltage of 1 Volt, the Capacitor's series capacitance exhibits a range from 84.39nF to 100.6nF across various test frequencies. A comparison with the statistical benchmark data reveals that the Capacitor consistently demonstrates lower capacitance than the average across test frequencies. However, its performance at lower test frequencies (5 Hz - 100 Hz) is fairly close to the average. As the frequency increases, a more noticeable drop in capacitance against the average is observed, especially within the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz, where the deviation becomes significantly larger. Interestingly, the results at 20 kHz and 10 kHz display better performance than the minimum capacitance found in the benchmark data.

Upon evaluation at a higher voltage of 10 Volts, the 0402B104K160CT Capacitor exhibits a series capacitance ranging between 89.57nF and 108nF across assorted test frequencies. This range indicates a higher overall capacitance than those observed at the 1 Volt test voltage. Additionally, the Capacitor outperforms the average capacitance of the statistical benchmark data at lower frequencies, specifically from 5 Hz to 10 kHz. Similar to its performance at 1 Volt, it presents a drop in capacitance when subjected to higher frequencies, with the largest deviation witnessed within the 100 kHz to 1 MHz range.

While analyzing these results, it is essential to consider that capacitors may exhibit a varying capacitance response according to their specific type and inherent characteristics. In certain applications, such a deviation in capacitance might not be an issue and can provide stable performance within certain frequency ranges. However, for more demanding use cases, understanding how the capacitor performs across the spectrum of test frequencies is crucial, so as to avoid potential performance or stability issues. This knowledge enables informed decisions regarding the suitability of the given capacitor for the specific application in question, ensuring optimal performance and reliability in the electronic circuit or system.

Series Resistance

In this section, we will delve into the series resistance performance of the 0402B104K160CT ceramic capacitor and compare it with the provided statistical benchmarks. Analyzing the device's Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) is crucial as it influences the performance and efficiency in various applications.

Beginning with the LCR measurements conducted at 1V, the 0402B104K160CT capacitor exhibits consistently lower series resistances than the average benchmark values for all test frequencies. Remarkably, at lower test frequencies like 5 Hz and 10 Hz, the capacitor records resistances of 6.624k and 3.234k Ohms, respectively. Compared to the average benchmarks of 8.751k and 4.329k Ohms, the performance of the capacitor is evidently superior. Even when the test frequencies are increased, up to 1 MHz, the 0402B104K160CT maintains consistent lower resistance values than the statistical benchmarks, indicating excellent ESR performance.

As we examine the LCR measurements conducted at 10V, the story of the capacitor's series resistance performance becomes more nuanced. Here, the values align more closely with the provided benchmark data, exhibiting a mix of values above and below the benchmark averages. Moreover, as the test frequency increases, a converging trend can be observed. This trend is particularly evident in the frequency range from 75 kHz to 1 MHz, where resistance values approach the average benchmarks closely.

In conclusion, the series resistance data for the 0402B104K160CT ceramic capacitor suggests a more favorable performance at 1V testing conditions when compared to the industry benchmark. At a testing voltage of 10V, the capacitor still demonstrates competitive resistance values, particularly in higher frequency scenarios. This advantageous ESR behavior indicates the capacitor's potential utility in various applications, where maintaining optimal series resistance performance is vital for achieving efficiency and stability.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

The Walsin Technology Corporation's 0402B104K160CT ceramic X7R capacitor has undergone a comprehensive evaluation concerning its Dissipation Factor (Df) and Quality Factor (Q) properties. In this assessment, comparisons have been made to statistical benchmark data to ensure impartiality. The 0402B104K160CT capacitor has been examined at two test voltage levels, namely 1 Volt and 10 Volts, which allows us to impart a broader understanding of its performance under varied conditions.

At 1 Volt, the 0402B104K160CT demonstrates a low Df across all test frequencies. The Df values range from 0.02 to 0.044, with the lowest score observed at 50 kHz. This low Df performance implies that this capacitor is advantageous in circuits prioritizing low power consumption, as it minimizes energy losses due to the capacitor's internal resistance. Furthermore, the Quality Factor is relatively stable, with scores that range between 22.74 and 50.31. A high Q value represents low losses and high resonant energy storage capabilities, offering high reliability for various applications.

At 10 Volts, the 0402B104K160CT exhibits a slightly increased Df range while still maintaining commendable performance, with values spanning from 0.039 to 0.051. The best Df value was observed at 50 kHz, and it is important to note that this characteristic performance experienced a steady decrease as the frequency increased. Generally, a lower Df at higher frequencies ensures efficient performance even in demanding conditions. The Q factor at 10 Volts demonstrates scores that are consistent and in a practical range. Nevertheless, the Q values observed show a drop as voltage increases (ranging from 19.56 to 25.43), indicating that the capacitor may be more suitable for low-voltage applications where its performance is consistently optimized.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

In analyzing the performance of the Walsin Technology Corporation 0402B104K160CT Capacitor, we compared its measurements to the statistical benchmark data and drew valuable conclusions. Engineers exploring whether this Ceramic X7R Capacitor is an optimal choice should find the following insights both enlightening and helpful.

Results from the 1V and 10V tests revealed that the 0402B104K160CT Capacitor performs at par or even slightly better, especially concerning impedance levels, when compared against the statistical benchmark data. Interestingly, at specific test frequencies (75k and 20k for 1V and 10V, respectively), the capacitor exhibited marginally lower than the average impedance from the benchmark.

Despite slight variations in the measured series capacitance values under certain test conditions, the overall Capacitance performance is consistent within an acceptable range. Furthermore, the Capacitor showcased Dissipation Factors, which, across most test frequencies, were comparable to the statistical average. The Quality Factor results demonstrate accordance to the statistical average, with some test conditions at 10 Volts performing slightly below average.

Taking into account these findings, the Walsin Technology 0402B104K160CT Capacitor exhibits satisfactory performance compared to the statistical benchmark. Although the capacitor outperformed the benchmark in select parameters, such as impedance, it displayed average rankings across other metrics. Consequently, engineers exploring capacitors for their selection criteria might consider the 0402B104K160CT as a suitable option based on particular performance demands and priorities.