Providing design engineers with an R-C network that replaces up to 16 discrete components using just 50% of the PC board space, TT electronics' BI Technologies SMT Division has developed a series of resistor-capacitor chip networks. Designated the RC Series, the thick film-on-ceramic chip networks are not susceptible to ESD 
(electrostatic discharge), and do not require diode protection.
According to Jim Rieley, sales director for BI Technologies' SMT Division, the chip networks provide real estate savings of 50% versus discrete components. "Many designs can use one RC network instead of 16 discrete components," explained Rieley, "and this reduced component count saves on PC board space, pick and place costs, as well as inventory and bill of material costs. In addition, reducing the number of solder joints and traces on the PC board improves overall reliability."
"The RC networks can be placed close to active devices, thus reducing PC board routing problems and minimizing inductance of long traces on the circuit boards," Rieley continued.
The R-C chip networks are ideal for a variety of circuits, including line terminations, and EMI, keypad, ECG input, parallel port, serial port, SCART port, keyboard and mouse, and control and data line filters, in laptop and notebook computers, workstations, multimedia applications, automotive electronics, computer peripherals, cellular phones, and set top box applications. The low profile RC Series is also ideal for PCMCIA applications.
The RC Series devices are available as a single chip in 1206 size, as well as in five different circuit configurations in a ten terminal 2512 array.
Power ratings for the RC Series are 63mW/resistor (250mW packaging rating). Resistance range for the networks is 20 to 1M, with standard tolerance of 20% (10% and 5% tolerances also available). Capacitor dielectric is X7R with a tolerance of 20%. TCRs are 200ppm/C (optional TCRs at 100ppm/C are also available).
BI Technologies will also produce devices outside these specifications to meet customer requirements, with comprehensive application engineering and design support available for customers worldwide.
Typical pricing for the RC6 Chip Networks starts at $0.18 in quantities of 10K. Lead times are from stock to 6 weeks. Samples are available immediately for engineering evaluation and customer prototypes.
For more information, contact the TT electronics BI Technologies SMT Division at +44-1-592-662200; via mail at Telford Road, Eastfield Industrial Estate, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland, KY7 4NX; e-mail at
