Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 6981) has begun mass production of seven AEC-Q200-qualified automotive multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) that achieve the world’s highest capacitance for their rated voltage and size. The company says the new MLCCs support stable operation of in-vehicle systems, enable greater design flexibility, and address rising demand for compact, high-performance components in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) applications.
Five of the new MLCCs are rated at 2.5–4 Vdc and target IC peripheral circuits in ADAS and AD systems. The remaining two parts are rated at 25 Vdc and intended for in-vehicle power line applications. As vehicle electronics become more complex, automakers increasingly require capacitors that combine higher capacitance with smaller form factors. Murata’s new products are designed to meet these needs while supporting system reliability and reducing PCB space requirements.
“ADAS and autonomous systems are driving unprecedented growth in automotive electronics,” a Murata spokesperson said. “Our new MLCC lineup delivers the highest capacitance available for their rated voltage and size, allowing engineers to design smaller, more efficient circuits while maintaining stability across power and IC peripheral systems.”
The new low-voltage MLCCs expand Murata’s lineup with capacitance of 100 µF or higher. For example, the 1206-inch (3.2 mm × 1.6 mm) GCM31CD70E107ME36 provides 100 µF, previously achievable only in the larger 1210-inch size, reducing PCB mounting area by about 36%. The smallest automotive MLCC, the 0201-inch (0.6 mm × 0.3 mm) GCM035D70E225ME02, now offers 2.2 µF, up from typical values of 1–2.2 µF. These advances allow automakers to increase functionality in limited PCB space, a key consideration for modern vehicle electronics.
Medium-voltage MLCCs for power line applications also see significant improvements. The 0402-inch (1.0 mm × 0.5 mm) GCM155D71E105KE36, rated at 25 Vdc, delivers 1 µF, previously achievable only in the larger 0603-inch size, reducing PCB area by 61%. The 1206-inch 25 Vdc GCM31CC71E226ME36 offers 22 µF, providing higher capacitance in a smaller footprint, enabling more efficient power line stabilization and reducing the number of components needed per circuit.
Murata leveraged proprietary ceramic materials, particle refinement, and uniformity technologies to achieve these performance gains. The new products allow engineers to optimize IC peripheral circuits and power lines simultaneously, addressing voltage fluctuations in ADAS and AD applications while minimizing board space. Reduced component counts also lower PCB material usage and manufacturing power consumption, mitigating environmental impact.
Key low-voltage MLCCs include: 0201-inch 2.5 Vdc GCM035D70E225ME02 (2.2 µF), 4 Vdc GCM035D70G225MEC2 (2.2 µF), 1206-inch 2.5 Vdc GCM31CD70E107ME36 (100 µF), 4 Vdc GCM31CD70G107ME36 (100 µF), and 1210-inch 4 Vdc GCM32ED70G227MEC4 (220 µF). Medium-voltage parts include 0402-inch 25 Vdc GCM155D71E105KE36 (1 µF) and 1206-inch 25 Vdc GCM31CC71E226ME36 (22 µF).
Murata has a long-standing focus on automotive MLCCs, providing components for IC peripheral circuits, powertrain, and safety systems. The company says it will continue to develop high-performance capacitors that respond to evolving automotive electronics needs, contributing to safer, more reliable, and more compact vehicle designs.
“By achieving world-leading capacitance in small packages, Murata enables engineers to enhance vehicle performance, stabilize power lines, and deliver innovative system designs,” the spokesperson added. “These MLCCs reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of automotive electronics.”
