AVX Corp. has released a new version of its SpiCalci simulation software, an engineering tool that calculates performance characteristics and parameters for its switch mode power supply (SMPS) capacitors. Featuring enhanced part selection and including nearly all of the new SMPS devices that AVX has introduced over the past two years, many of which are sole-sourced, SpiCalci 9.0 allows engineers to input raw data and generate output information and graphs that will help them choose which of AVX’s advanced multilayer ceramic (MLC) SMPS capacitors will best satisfy their application criteria.
New additions to the SpiCalci 9.0 product catalog include: 25V ST10 and RT10 series Mini-TurboCap small footprint, high CV SMPS capacitors; 1500 V, 2000 V, and 3000 V C0G dielectric and 50 V to 3000 V VHT (X7R) dielectric SXP series molded, radial-leaded SMPS MLCCs; N1500 dielectric SV series high voltage, radial-leaded MLCCs; 25V C0G and 50V to 500V VHT (X7R) dielectric SMX series stacked SMPS MLCCs for high temperature applications up to 200°C; unencapsulated (PSO1 style), 25V, BX (X7R) dielectric SM series T-Level MIL-PRF-49470 stacked SMPS MLCCs in case sizes 1-6; and encapsulated and unencapsulated (PS01 and PS02 style) 100 V, 200 V, and 500 V BP (C0G/NP0) dielectric T-Level MIL-PRF-49470 SM Series stacked SMPS MLCCs in case sizes 3-5.
“Featuring extensive product additions and improvements designed to provide users with an enhanced experience, SpiCalci 9.0 helps design engineers quickly and accurately identify and select the best SMPS capacitor solutions for applications in the military, aerospace, space, automotive, alternative energy, motor drive, oil and gas, and power inversion, conversion, and supply industries,” said Nic Billig, product manager at AVX.
SpiCalci 9.0 users can input and select a wide variety of raw data, including: part type, case size, voltage, dielectric, capacitance, tolerance, ambient temperature (°C), temperature rise (°C), and operating frequency (kHz) for catalog, military, and aerospace parts. Output data is provided in two categories: Specifications for this Design and Specifications Varying with Temperature. Parameters available in the Specifications for this Design category include: AVX part number prefix, self-resonant frequency (MHx), ESR at self-resonant frequency (mOhms), ESL (nH), thermal transfer coefficient (°C/W), ESR at operating frequency (mOhms), phase angle at frequency, and approximate weight (g). Parameters available in the Specifications Varying with Temperature category include: power dissipation (W), current (ARMS), ripple voltage (VRMS), internal temperature (°C), maximum ripple voltage (VRMS), maximum current (ARMS), and maximum power dissipation (W). SpiCalci 9.0 also allows users to generate a variety of useful output graphs, including: ESR and impedance vs. frequency, temperature rise vs. applied current, maximum current vs. frequency, maximum ripple voltage vs. frequency, and phase angle vs. frequency, as well as to view and save the output information used to generate the graphs.
Available free of charge, SpiCalci 9.0 is now packaged using Install Shield, which facilitates installation on Windows 7 operating systems, Windows 8 operating systems, and—for the first time—64-bit operating systems. To download the SpiCalci 9.0 executable file, please visit http://www.avx.com/SpiApps/default.asp#spicalci.
