An integrated series-connected network is achieved in two-terminal format by providing a multilayer ceramic capacitor in which one set of electrodes is connected directly to one terminal of the network while the second set of electrodes is joined to an end of a resistor or an inductor and the other end of the resistor or inductor is joined to the other terminal of the network.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to series-connected networks, and more particularly 
to such a network integrated into a surface mounted component having only 
two terminals. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Prior art components having a network including a capacitor integrated with 
a resistor or inductor traditionally have been constructed by uniting the 
inductor or resistor in parallel connection with a multilayer ceramic 
capacitor. The prior art parallel construction has been facilitated by 
connecting one terminal of the capacitor to one terminal of the inductor 
or resistor, and the other terminal of the capacitor to the other terminal 
of the inductor or resistor. 
Prior art series-connected circuits have required more complex 
constructions employing three terminal networks wherein one end of the 
capacitor is connected to one end of the inductor or resistor, while the 
other end of the capacitor and the other end of the inductor or resistor 
are each provided with its own terminal. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide a two-terminal 
series-connected network. Another object is the provision of a surface 
mounted construction having two exposed terminals for a series-connected 
network. 
In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, a two-terminal 
series-connected network is provided by a multilayer ceramic capacitor in 
which one set of interdigitated electrodes is connected to one terminal of 
the network while the other set of interdigitated capacitor electrodes is 
connected to one end of an inductor or resistor whose other end is 
connected to the second terminal of the network. An overglaze is employed 
to encase the capacitor and the inductor or resistor so as to leave the 
two terminals exposed for utilization as a surface mount device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Drawing FIGS. 1 and 2 show a network 10 having a body portion 20 disposed 
between two exposed terminations 50 and 60. Body portion 20 includes a 
capacitor 30 and another functional device 40 which are interconnected at 
terminations 60 and 70. 
Capacitor 30 is a multilayer ceramic capacitor having alternating electrode 
layers 32 and 34 which are interdigitated with all layers 32 being 
interconnected at termination 50. Alternate electrode layers 34 are all 
interconnected at termination 70. None of electrodes 32 and 34 is 
connected to termination 60 which serves instead as the second termination 
for the series connected network 10. 
Functional device 40 is interconnected in series with capacitor 30 at 
terminations 70 and 60. Device 40 is preferably an inductor or a resistor 
so as to provide with capacitor 30 an LC network or an RC network having 
terminations 50 and 60. Device 40 is interconnected in series with 
capacitor 30 at termination 70 by having one end of device 40 connected to 
electrodes 34 and the other end of device 40 being connected by itself to 
termination 60. 
The internal construction of multilayer capacitor 30 follows known methods 
for producing alternate layers of ceramic material and electrode material, 
which methods are suitable for the requirements of this invention. The 
electrodes are deposited on ceramic material according to a pattern that 
exposes alternate electrodes such that the alternate electrode layers are 
interconnectable at edges of the ceramic stack. Again, in this invention 
electrodes 32 are interconnectable at termination 50, and electrodes 34 
are interconnectable at termination 70, with no electrode connectable at 
termination 60. 
The interconnection of the several electrodes 32 or 34 of either set of 
electrodes is accomplished by conventionally known methods, such as by 
dipping the capacitor body into what is commonly called an electrode 
pick-up ink containing silver and binders. The ink adheres to the exposed 
edges of electrodes 32 and 34, and is thereafter fixed so as to provide 
the interconnection of a set of electrodes and the pick-up for further 
termination practices. 
Terminations 50, 60 and 70 are all shown as having three layers, because of 
the convenience of dipping the capacitor body without having to mask any 
edges of the capacitor body. The innermost layers 52, 62 and 72 are 
conventionally protected against any potential damage, e.g. during surface 
mount soldering into electronic assemblies, by providing barrier layers 
54, 64 and 74, preferably of nickel. Outer layers 56, 66 and 76 are 
preferably formed of tin and are provided to facilitate subsequent 
soldering processes. These outer terminals may also comprise conventional 
silver-palladium termination materials. 
The functional device 40 is an inductor or a resistor which is deposited on 
body 20 in connection between terminations 70 and 60 by conventional 
methods, such as painting on the inductor or by screening the resistor. 
Proper value of the functional device 40 is achieved by trimming with 
known device, such as a laser trimmer. 
The network component of this invention is completed by the provision of a 
protective coating, such as a known insulating glass overglaze, which 
covers the body 20 including termination 70 and which leaves exposed only 
terminations 50 and 60. 
Having described the preferred form of the invention, it should be 
appreciated that variations may be made thereto without departing from the 
contemplated scope of the invention. As such, the preferred description is 
intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. The true scope of the 
invention is set forth in the claims appended hereto.