Thin-film metal inductors have 30% lower DC resistance

17th January 2017

Alice Matthews

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Featuring a maximum DC resistance of 62mΩ - 30% lower than for existing types (e.g. TFM160808ALM, 0.47-μH), TDK Corporation has introduced the TFM160808ALC thin-film inductor for power supply circuits. The new type, whose compact dimensions are 1.6x0.8x0.8mm, also offers a high rated current of 2.6A and an inductance of 0.47μH.

In addition, thanks to the newly developed metal core the thin-film inductor features lower losses. As a result, the component's efficiency over a broad output current range of 10mA to 2.5A is higher than that of existing types and can improve the efficiency of DC/DC converter power supplies by nearly one percent. Mass production of the TFM160808ALC will commence in January 2017.

The required power supply voltage for smartphones and tablet PCs has risen in order to support their increasing multifunctionality, and with this, the number of inductors needed in power supply circuits is likewise growing. These components must be small in size, support a high current levels and, particularly important for smartphones and other battery-powered devices, have low losses. TDK has leveraged its thin-film technology developed for HDD heads with advanced material technologies for passive components to create a metal material for compact components with optimised low losses and high current capabilities.

In the future, TDK will expand its lineup of thin-film inductors for power supply circuits to include components with footprints of 2.0x1.6mm and 2.0x1.25mm, making the series suitable for a wider variety of equipment designs.