AVX Upgraded Simulation Software for its Advanced SMPS MLCCs

AVX has released a new version of its SpiCALCI simulation software, an engineering tool that calculates performance characteristics and parameters for its advanced switch mode power supply (SMPS) multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) to help electrical design engineers select the part that will best satisfy their application criteria. SpiCALCI 10, which replaces the previous version, features all of the new SMPS MLCCs that AVX has introduced over the past 18 months (many of which are sole-sourced), in addition to updated links to the latest datasheets on the new AVX website, and product photographs designed to help engineers better visualize product selections. Other new features include an enhanced part selection process that makes it easier to find a valid part, and the option to view and save the output information that is used to generate graphs.

New additions to the SpiCALCI 10 product catalog include: ST10, RT10, and SMX 25V rated parts; parts with voltage ratings spanning 25V to 5,000V; VHT (X7R) dielectric high temperature parts; the SV Series with N1500 dielectric; SXP Series parts rated for 1500V, 2000V, and 3000V; MIL-PRF-49470 T-Level BP (C0G /NP0) PS01 and PS02 style parts in case sizes 3, 4, 5 with 100V, 200V, and 500V voltage ratings; and MIL-PRF-49470 T-Level BX (X7R) 25V PS01 style parts in case sizes 1 – 6.

“Featuring extensive product additions and improvements designed to provide users with an enhanced experience, SpiCALCI 10 helps design engineers quickly and accurately identify and select the best SMPS capacitor solutions for myriad applications in the military, aerospace, space, automotive, aviation, alternative energy, medical, oil and gas, and power inversion, conversion, and supply industries,” said Stan Cygan, senior applications engineer at AVX.

AVX’s SpiCalci10 software allows electrical design engineers to predict critical operational parameters, such as: self-resonant frequency, ESR, ESL, and phase angle, for a given ambient temperature, temperature rise, and operational frequency. Further, designers can adjust the latter variables numerically, via a button slide, to model important capacitor characteristics, including: ripple current, ripple voltage, and internal temperature. The software also enables the creation of interactive graphs for further analysis of: ESR and impedance vs. frequency, temperature rise vs. current, maximum current vs. frequency, maximum ripple voltage vs. frequency, phase angle vs. frequency, and capacitance changes with DC bias. The numerical data can be imported to SPICE simulation software, and graphs may be saved and printed for presentation and/or sharing.

Available free of charge, SpiCALCI 10 is packaged using InstallShield, which facilitates easy installation on Windows 7, Windows 8, and other 64- or 32-bit PC operating systems.