The components use an 0201-inch package, measuring 0.6 × 0.3 mm, and are primarily intended for power decoupling of integrated circuits in smartphones, wearable devices, and other compact electronic equipment.
According to Murata, these are the smallest three-terminal, low-ESL MLCCs currently available. The press release, however, does not provide the methodology used to establish this comparison with products from other manufacturers.
The smallest previous format used by Murata for this type of component was 1.0 × 0.5 mm, corresponding to the 0402 inch size.
The new 0.6 × 0.3 mm package reduces the area occupied on the PCB by approximately 64%.
This figure can be verified directly from the dimensions shown: the 1.0 × 0.5 mm component nominally occupies 0.50 mm², while the new format represents 0.18 mm². The difference is 0.32 mm², equivalent to a 64% reduction.
This comparison corresponds to the geometric area of the component. The actual space required on a PCB will also depend on the footprints, spacing, and design rules used.
Three Terminals to Reduce ESL:
Three-terminal MLCCs use a different structure than conventional two-terminal capacitors.
According to Murata, this arrangement provides four shorter current paths, thus reducing the equivalent series inductance.
A reduced ESL is especially relevant for decoupling integrated circuits that exhibit rapid current variations. As frequency increases, the capacitor's parasitic inductance becomes more significant and can limit its ability to respond to power supply transients.
The LLD series is designed to be placed close to the integrated circuit and help limit the supply voltage variations associated with these current changes.
Murata initially offers two references in the LLD series, both with a nominal capacitance of 1 µF.
The LLD033R60G105ME01 has a nominal voltage of 4 VDC and can operate between −55 and +85 °C.
The LLD033D80E105ME01 is specified for 2.5 VDC and extends the upper temperature limit to +105 °C, while maintaining the minimum at −55 °C.
Although both components share the same capacitance and dimensions, their different nominal voltages and temperature ranges must be considered when selecting the appropriate reference for each circuit.
Downsizing three-terminal capacitors presents additional challenges compared to conventional MLCCs due to the structure of their internal and external electrodes.
Murata attributes the reduction to 0.6 × 0.3 mm to modifications in the design of these electrodes and their manufacturing processes.
The company targets these components at designs requiring a combination of high-frequency power decoupling and high assembly density, especially around integrated circuits with limited PCB space.
Key Specifications:
The first two part numbers share the 0201 form factor (0.6 × 0.3 mm), a three-terminal MLCC architecture, and a capacitance of 1 µF. The LLD033R60G105ME01 is specified for 4 VDC and −55 to +85 °C, while the LLD033D80E105ME01 operates at 2.5 VDC and −55 to +105 °C.
