A new approach to lifetime and loading stress level estimation for Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors in Electronic Control Units

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach of lifetime and loading stress level estimation for Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs) to design a reliable Electronic Control Unit (ECU). These components are widely used in automotive ECU to perform functions as filtering, timing, buffering or noise reduction. The lifetime estimation is concerned to define the behavior of MLCCs over their lifespan in required high temperature operating conditions. These conditions have an unavoidable impact on MLCC mainly due to self-heating. The stress level of components is determined following a required high temperature operating profile and finding self-heating influence. For the loading stress level determination a Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been created. In notification area of the GUI, the obtained status predicts the future health of MLCCs for a proper functioning of ECU. Therefore the failure or degradation of ceramic capacitor caused by high temperature operating can be avoided if the lifetime is taking earlier into consideration within the design.