Tantalum Polymer vs Aluminum Polymer Performance as an Output Filter Capacitor for Miniature Switching Power Supplies
Written By: Ron Demcko | Ashley Stanziola | Daniel West
Abstract:
Engineers have questioned the impact performance of converting Aluminum Polymer capacitors to Tantalum Polymer capacitors in applications where MLCCs are present on the output filter ‘bank’ of a small switching power supply. The reasons for designers to convert to Tantalum Polymer capacitors in the design ranged from long term reliability and stability to availability/delivery and company specific design guidelines.
DOWNLOAD TECHNICAL PAPEREngineers have questioned the impact performance of converting Aluminum Polymer capacitors to Tantalum Polymer capacitors in applications where MLCCs are present on the output filter ‘bank’ of a small switching power supply. The reasons for designers to convert to Tantalum Polymer capacitors in the design ranged from long term reliability and stability to availability/delivery and company specific design guidelines.
This investigation is intended to compare the interchangeability of Tantalum Polymer Capacitors in a design with the original Aluminum Polymer capacitors. The data collected was the measured output voltage ripple on a highly utilized circuit/chipset under a specific conditions of an end user. Comparisons between Aluminum Polymer Electrolytic and Tantalum Polymer Electrolytic technologies are made.
