Only BME capacitors approved for use in US space applications

AVX has announced that, after several years of extensive testing, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has approved its space-level X7R base metal electrode (BME) multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for use in aerospace applications under the criteria of the S-311-P-838 specification. The specification defines the requirements for high-reliability, ceramic dielectric, multilayer, base-metal electrode, fixed value chip capacitors for high reliability space applications, in addition to the processing verification and inspections required by assemblies used in flight, and officially makes AVX the first (and currently only) supplier of BME capacitors approved for use in US space applications. Exhibiting capacitance voltage (CV) capabilities superior to those of precious metal electrode (PME) MLCCs, which have long been the standard for the global aerospace industry, AVX’s space-level BME MLCCs provide the extremely high reliability performance required by the space industry while also delivering higher capacitance values in significantly smaller cases sizes, enabling revolutionary reductions of board space, weight, and component count, which directly translate into launch cost savings. Featuring Flexiterm terminations, AVX’s space-level X7R BME MLCCs also provide considerably enhanced resistance to mechanical stress by allowing for more board flexure than standard terminations, especially in large case sizes. Currently available in five case sizes spanning 0603 to 1812 and three capacitance tolerances (±5%, ±10%, and ±20%), the series is rated for 16–100V and 2.2nF to 8.2µF, and is ideal for I/O filtering and bulk storage in the switch mode power supplies (SMPS) in space and satellite communications, defence and radar systems. “This June, after years of extensive testing per NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) S-311 specifications, AVX became the first and only manufacturer authorized to supply X7R BME MLCCs for use in US military and aerospace applications,” said Steve Carter, product marketing manager, AVX. “The high CV capabilities of our BME capacitors enable the use of smaller PCBs that weigh less and have fewer components, providing aerospace engineers with passive solutions capable of peak performance and mission critical reliability.” AVX’s space-level BME MLCCs in case sizes 0603–1812 are also the first such capacitors approved for use in European Space applications by virtue of having recently been added to the European Space Association’s (ESA’s) Qualified Parts List (QPL) under the criteria of the European Space Components Coordination’s (ESCC’s) 3009/041 specification. The series’ 0402 and 2220 parts are still in the midst of QPL evaluation, and a separate announcement will be issued upon approval, says the company.