gesponsertReliable Electronics in Vehicles Electronic components in vehicles: reliable and for anti-vibration

Gesponsert von

Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd.

Comfort functions, infotainment, voice control, head-up displays, and driver monitoring systems must be compact, powerful, and reliable under vibrations and temperature fluctuations. Capacitors are key components, used repeatedly and exposed to demanding conditions.

The MLCCs (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitors) are compact, powerful, and an engineering marvel. MLCCs are made up of many layers that are precisely combined into a single component. The challenge is the high density of electronics in modern vehicles. From driver assistance systems to infotainment to electric powertrain. These functions mean that thousands of MLCCs are installed in every vehicle. With the increasing demands for reliability, smaller case sizes, and higher mechanical durability components, these components are the base for robust design and trouble-free vehicle electronics.

The mechanical durability is exactly where the biggest weakness lies. Conventional MLCCs can develop cracks due to bending stress on the circuit board or thermal stress. Especially in safety-critical systems such as autonomous driving or electric powertrain, such failures can have serious consequences. On top of this, the miniaturization of components leads to ever thinner layers, which further increases the risk of cracks. OEMs and suppliers are therefore facing challenges in developing more powerful, compact assemblies while ensuring long-term mechanical reliability.

The cars of the future will be increasingly autonomous, connected, and electric. Estimates suggest that the number of electronic control units (ECUs) per vehicle will increase by 50 percent by 2025. Systems like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are among the biggest drivers of this trend. A single board used for autonomous or highly automated driving can contain more than 3,000 MLCCs today. They ensure that sensor technology and data processing function reliably. Cameras, radar, and LiDAR sensors place enormous demands on performance and reliability.

The demand is also growing inside the cockpit. System-on-Chip ( SoC) solutions, in particular, often require many capacitors to reliably support comfort functions, infotainment, voice control, head-up displays, and driver monitoring systems — in ever more compact yet more powerful modules. This support must also be ensured under fluctuating temperature and vibration conditions.

The growing number of electric vehicles intensifies these requirements even further. In electric powertrains, , battery management, and inverters e.g. DC-DC converters MLCCs play on key role and task. High voltages, strong current fluctuations, and mechanical stresses during driving and thermal cycles are part of everyday operation here.

So how can this challenge be met?

TAIYO YUDEN has been investing in technological innovations for years to push the limits of what’s possible with MLCCs. One of the solutions for this development is the so-called “soft termination” technology. A conductive resin layer in the terminals ensures that mechanical stresses like the circuit board bending or vibrations are not directly transferred to the ceramic layers. This significantly reduces the formation of micro-cracks. In addition, the solder joint remains stable even under constant thermal cycling. A crucial factor for the service life of the unit.

But TAIYO YUDEN goes even further. With ultra-fine powders (dielectric material), highly precise layer thinning, and microstructure design, they develop MLCCs that achieve high capacitance and voltage ratings despite small dimensions. This combination allows the available space on increasingly dense circuit boards to be used efficiently. Product series like the MA## series for powertrains and safety applications or the MC## series for body, chassis, and infotainment cover specific requirement profiles. From high-voltage to temperature-compensating types. The portfolio is broad enough to cover all application scenarios in modern vehicles.

The benefits are measurable: soft termination MLCCs show a significantly lower failure rate compared to conventional versions. Even after numerous thermal cycles, the adhesive strength of the solder joints remains significantly higher. This means fewer failures, less maintenance, and, above all, greater safety for drivers and passengers.

The high performance of TAIYO YUDEN MLCCs is based on several key technologies. One is the ultra-fine powder technology, which reduces ceramic particles down to the submicron range. This refinement increases the number of grain boundaries, which improves the electrical stability of the layers. At the same time, thin-layer technology allows precise control of layer thickness, ensuring a uniform microstructure even in extremely thin layers. For high-capacity applications, multiple of these ultra-thin layers are laminated into a multilayer stack that remains dimensionally stable, even under vibration or temperature fluctuations. The result: MLCCs with high voltage resistance, low equivalent series inductance (ESL), and excellent mechanical durability. Even when space on densely populated boards is limited.

Summary:

Ceramic capacitors may be tiny, but they are the silent backbone of modern automotive electronics. With TAIYO YUDEN’s advanced MLCC technologies — especially Soft-Termination and ultra-fine powder processing — reliability and performance go hand in hand, even under the toughest conditions.

For OEMs and suppliers, this means greater freedom to design compact, high-performance assemblies without compromising on safety and durability. Fewer failures, less maintenance, and more security for drivers and passengers alike.

When it comes to MLCCs, TAIYO YUDEN sets the benchmark for quality and innovation — today and for the future of connected, autonomous, and electric mobility.

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