This paper describes the characterization of aluminum electrolytic capacitors specifically used in AC-DC power converter applications. It will be discussed why this capacitor technology is critical regarding lifetime and why it cannot be substituted simply by any another capacitor technology. Different aging effects of the capacitor will be discussed. Usage of the capacitor in different AC-DC converter topologies will be presented. Simulation circuits will be used to analyze the capacitor in more detail before suitable measurements will be performed to demonstrate a real example of a switching-mode power supply (SMPS).After the introduction into the aluminum electrolytic capacitor basics and theory, this paper will also present all important and possible measurements of capacitor parameters, like capacitance, equivalent series resistance (ESR) and ripple current. This includes in-circuit measurement which can be performed with an oscilloscope. An LCR-bridge is used to obtain high accuracy measurements in addition. A comparison between the two measurement methods will be presented. Furthermore, the required measurement hardware for the in-circuit measurements and the bridge measurement will be discussed and presented.Lastly, two different lifetime calculation methods are presented and a real example is used to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods.Thanks to Mr. Frank Puhane from Würth eiSos GmbH & Co. KG who provided me with all aluminum electrolytic capacitor samples including the prepared capacitor with build-in temperature sensors to perform all measurements. Furthermore, his great expertise was very beneficial and helpful to create this premium application note.

07-Feb-2023 | AN-No. 1SL388

Measuring the power supply noise rejection (PSNR) requires accurate generation and leveling of artificial, sinusoidal disturbances and measurement of resulting phase-noise and jitter impairments.

30-Sep-2020

TC8 – OPEN Alliance - Flyer

Signal model based approach to joint jitter and noise decomposition - First published at DesignCon 2020 - White Paper

Verify and debug your PCI express protocols with PCIe test solutions by Rohde & Schwarz ► Get more information!

27-Oct-2021 | Press Releases | Test & measurement

Rohde & Schwarz is presenting its solutions live at productronica 2021, the leading global trade show for electronics development and production. The focus is on T&M equipment for latest technologies including automotive radar, satellite communications, Wi-Fi 7 and 5G. High throughput and low cost are essential in production environments, and Rohde & Schwarz solutions support exactly these goals. Trade show visitors will find the following Rohde & Schwarz highlights and more in hall A1, booth 375 at Messe München.

When measurement performance counts, choose Rohde & Schwarz test solutions for testing oscillators, clocks and PLLs for phase noise, jitter, wideband noise and spurs.

From designing a test setup to performing accurate measurements

This application note discusses important aspects of double-pulse test setups as well as how to perform accurate measurements. Double-Pulse testing is a standard test-method.

22-Mar-2021 | AN-No. GFM347

Explore particle acceleration solutions from test and measurement experts. Trust our industry-leading equipment to meet particle accelerator test requirements.

09-Nov-2022 | Press Releases | Test & measurement

Rohde & Schwarz showcases at electronica 2022 (booth A3.307) the new R&S MXO 4 oscilloscope plus a wide range of test and measurement solutions tailored to developers and test engineers.

R&S VSE-K70x/FSx-K70x/FPx-K70x Vector Signal Analysis Application - Specifications

04-Oct-2018 | Press Releases | Test & measurement

Rohde & Schwarz and Spirent announce collaboration for TC8 Automotive Ethernet testing

Visit Rohde & Schwarz at the EMV 2025 in Cologne for all EMC test soltuions and much more.

Discover Rohde & Schwarz solutions for automotive Ethernet testing: world's first compliance test solution for 1000BASE-T1.

Modul Performance verification with solutions from Rohde & Schwarz

R&S VSE-K106/FSx-K106/FPS-K106 EUTRA/LTE NB-IoT Measurement Application - Specifications

Increasing demands on power distribution networks have resulted in smaller DC rails, as well as a proliferation of rails that ensure clean power reaches the pins of integrated circuits.

07-Mar-2017

This document provides: - An explanation of analog versus digital triggering architectures - User advantages for oscilloscopes that have digital triggering - How to determine if an oscilloscope has a digital or analog trigger

本白皮书包含以下内容：- 模拟和数字触发架构 - 数字触发示波器的优势 - 如何辨别数字或模拟触发示波器

This document provides: - An explanation of update rate - How users can quickly perform their own update rate characterization - How to compare vendor update rates - Benefits of fast update rate

Verify the energy efficiency of your O-RAN radio units

19-Mar-2024

Selecting your next oscilloscope: Why fast update rate matters | 选择下一代示波器: 为什么更高的波形捕获率很重要 - White Paper Brochures and Data Sheets White Paper

We are celebrating 10 years of Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope innovation and measurement confidence. Celebrate with us and win 1 of 10 R&S®RTB2000 oscilloscopes. Find out more.

Rohde & Schwarz offers test and measurements solutions for verifying the standard compliance of RF power amplifiers.

Comprehensive testing of DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems, CMTS, network amplifiers and components

Oscilloscopes for debugging automotive Ethernet networks - Application Brochure

08-Jun-2022 | Press Releases | Test & measurement

Nuremberg will be home to the international embedded industry once again during embedded world Exhibition & Conference. Rohde & Schwarz will be showing its latest test solutions from June 21 to 23, 2022 at booth 4-218 of Nuremberg Exhibition Centre. There, visitors can experience product highlights like the new generation of the R&S RTP high-performance oscilloscope, and they can learn from the Rohde & Schwarz experts about state-of-the art test solutions for all kinds of embedded systems.

Oscilloscope innovation. Measurement confidence. - Poster

R&S RT-ZFxx Oscilloscope Test Fixtures - Specifications

Test and measurement solutions for medical and health applications - Brochure