Laird Technologies Publishes SMD Power Inductors Application Note

Topic Discusses How Power Inductors Yield Lower Core Losses and Provide a Stored Energy Source



The application note discusses how surface mount power inductors are used to store energy while also filtering EMI currents with a low-loss inductance for voltage conversion applications. They are also used in DC-to-DC converters, and require minimal printed circuit board (PCB) space; providing a high-performance, multiphase design that significantly reduces the overall system cost.



Both shielded and unshielded power inductors are then looked at. This examination includes comparing them both at the same time to magnetic field generation, magnetic flux field containment, and DCR. The DCR is viewed in different scenarios, offering whether a shielded or unshielded power inductor is practical in a certain situation.



A further analysis is made of the power inductors’ main applications: low pass frequency noise filter, conducted EMI noise filter, and energy storage inDC-to-DCconverters. Low pass frequency filter applications are mostly used in DC power lines in order to filter the low frequency ripple current noise. Larger inductors also can be used in AC inputs as conducted EMI noise filters in order to meet the regulatory requirements.



The application note then explores how SMD power inductors are widely used inDC-to-DCconverters as energy storage parts in the circuit. There are typically buck, boost, and buck-boost converters which convert the DC input voltage from high to low or low to high in order to provide the DC power to various circuits in an electronic system. Detailed schematics are included that explain the buck, boost, buck-boost converters.





As battery devices continue to be designed and produced with slimmer profiles, implementation of convergence components that perform a variety of functions is more important than ever. Power inductors play an important role in voltage conversion applications by yielding lower core losses and are used to store energy, filter EMI noise, and provide lower signal loss and handle higher power capability in system designs. The result is a high-performance, rugged constructed design with a small footprint that requires significantly less total pc board space and a lowered overall system cost.



Laird Technologies is a leading global supplier of signal integrity products that meet the demands of any application by providing the very best solution. These products are designed for power and data line EMI filtering where high current, small size or high frequency performance is required.