Automotive ethernet common-mode choke is world's smallest

Ethernet is quickly becoming the networking protocol of choice for high-speed multimedia infotainment applications in cars, due to being able to support data rates of up to 100 Mbit/s. The ACT45L employs lightweight unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) wires, meaning the automotive Ethernet is able to save space and weight. The specifications of the new automotive Ethernet standard with regard to common-mode noise suppression are significantly more demanding than the requirements of CAN and FlexRay. The higher the attenuation of the noise is, the better the performance of the common-mode choke. Thanks to TDK’s advanced technologies, the noise suppression of the ACT45L is 15 dB to 25 dB better than existing products over a broad frequency range up to 100 MHz.

The new ACT45L series is designed to be manufactured using fully-automated processes that include a high-precision autowinding process and the bonding of ferrite cores with a highly temperature- and moisture-resistant adhesive. The result is a new series of automotive components qualified to AEC-Q200 with high reliability and consistent quality.

The new product joins the existing ACT45B and ACT45R series of common-mode chokes for CAN and FlexRay, respectively, to form a highly versatile lineup of high-performance EMC components for automotive networks. Mass production of the new common-mode choke starts in November 2013 with the main applications including automotive Ethernet systems for in-vehicle multimedia and infotainment such as cameras for driver assistance, navigation systems and audio information applications