TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 MICROMETALS TABLE OF CONTENTS Material Characteristics 2 Design Aids .. : 3 Q ys Frequency/Winding Examples --..... 4 Q vs Frequency Curves for Toroids 20-200 KHz . . 5 40-400 KHz . 67 YOO = 1000 KHz cessssssseseceensesees Ce 7,8,9,10 200 - 2000 KHz 70,11, 12, 8 5-5 MHz om svecssvoasseencetldy 1415 1-10 MHz . mee 15,16, 17, 18, 19 2-20 MHz. 20, 21, 22, B 3-30 MHz 24,25 5- 50 MHz... ce a 25, 26, 7 10-100 MHz *- 27, 28,29 1-100 MHz 29,30 20- 200 MHz 31, 32 30-300 MHz . 32 Q vs Frequency/Non-Toroidal Shapes .. 3 Saturation Curves 4 Temperature Effects 35 Toroidal Winding Table 36 Part No./Q Curve Index... : : 37 Copyright © 1997 by Mictometas, ne. Issue G, 1287 INTRODUCTION: This is the seventh edition of “Q-Curves for Iron Powder Cores.” It is an application supplement to Micrometals RF Catalog—Iron Powder Cores for RF Applications. (Refer to page 38 for a brief description of the full product line.) ‘The information provided in this supplement will help the designer select the best core and winding for high Q inductor requirements with a minimum of experimentation. It provides practical guidelines regarding the interaction of core size, core material, and winding considerations as they affect Q versus frequency characteristics. For those interested in a theoretical treatment of the subject, the following two excellent books are recommended: THE THEORY AND DESIGN OF INDUCTANCE COILS by V.G. Welsby and HIGH FREQUENCY MAGNETIC MATERIALS by WJ. Polydoroff. Both are published by John Wiley & Sons. For this supplement, the following relationships are important: The Q of an inductor is represented by the following expression: q-2mil Where: f = frequency R = inductance R = effective series resistance due to both copper and iron loss To calculate the number of turns required for a desired inductance use the following formula: desired (nH) ] turns [ AHN Ac in n/N? s listed for all cores in Micrometals Catalog #3. Generally, when designing an inductor for high Q it is best to optimize the coil for Q and then select an appropriate resonating capacitor for the resultant inductance rather than to select a desired inductance and then sacrifice Q in order to achieve that inductance. The interrelationships bewyeen, freaepey..@. inductance, core size, and winding considerations are discussed in more detaikgn pages and RequitGENERAL MATERIAL PROPERTIES FOR RF CORES Basic Material Temperature? Resonant Circuit Mix # Iron Powder Permeability Stability (+) Frequency Range (uo) {ppm/°C) (MHz) 7 Carbonyl C 20 200 153 2 Carbonyl E 70 95 25-10 3 ‘Carbonyl HP 35, 370 oa 4 Carbonyl} 9.0 280 3-40 6 (Carbonyl SF 85 35 3-40 7 ‘Carbonyl TH 30 30 1-25 é Carbonyl GQ4 35 255 024 70 ‘Carbonyl W_ 60 150 75-100 12" ___ Synthetic Oxide 40 "170 30-250 5, Carbonyl G36 2 190 15-3 7 Carbonyl 40 50 20-200 a Hydrogen Reduced 40 550 03-80 0 Phenolic 7 0 50-350 “Temperature stability values listed are for closed magnetic structures. *Non-linear **Mix 17 was developed as a temperature stable alternative to Mix 12 and is recommended for all new designs. Note: For information on Mix #'s 8, 18, 26, 28, 33, 40 and 52 see Micrometals Catalog 4 for Power Conversion and Line Filter Applications. PART NUMBER ‘Type of core: T-Toroid ania Dimension in 100th of inches ometals Iron Powder Code area for additional characteristics. ENGINEERING KITS For a wide selection of iron powder cores for engineering design and evaluation, the kits described below are available at a modest charge. ENGINEERING KIT #21 Mixes 1, 3, 15. Frequency: 20 KHz - 3 MHz ENGINEERING KIT #20 Mixes 1, 3,15. Frequency: 20 KHz - 3 MHz Ti2, T16, 120, 125, T30, 137, T44, T50, T68 17 items, 170 pieces ENGINEERING KIT #22 Mixes 2,6,7_ Frequency: 250 KHz- 30 MHz 17, 110, 112, 116, 120, 122, 125, 127, 130, 137, 144, 150, 151, 160, 168 34 items, 340 pieces ENGINEERING KIT #24 Mixes 10, 17,0 Frequency: 10 MHz - 250 MHz 15, 17, T10, T12, T20, T22 125, 127, 130, 137, T44, 150, 168 34 items, 340 pieces 80, T94, T106, T130, 1157, T184 1D items, 44 pieces ENGINEERING KIT #23 Mixes 2,6,7 Frequency: 250 KHz - 30 MHz 172, T80, 194, 1106, 1130, 1157, 1175, T184, 1200, 225, T300, T400 20 items, 60 pieces ENGINEERING KIT #25 Mixes 2, 6,8, 10,0 Frequency: 30 MHz - 1000 MHz (Broadband Transformer Applications) BLN814, BLN1728, BLN1728A iBitems, 120 pieces 3 2 3 2 FAX MICROMETALS= FAX (71 MICROMETALS PARAMETERS AFFECTING Q VERSUS FREQUENCY CHARACTERISTICS CORE CONSIDERATIONS: Core Material: The table on page 2, “General Magnetic Properties,” provides information about the iron powder mixes for RF applications. The column “Re- sonant Circuit Frequency Range” shows the general frequency range over which a given core material, in the toroidal configuration, will produce the highest Q relative to the other materials. Inductance Value: The frequency at which the Q peaks is dependent on its inductance. As inductance in- creases, by adding turns, Q will peak at a lower fre~ quency. The Q value may increase or de- crease as the number of turns is varied. Page 30 illus- trates this characteristic. Core Size: Large coves will produce higher Q than small corest (Page 13)s The optimum Q for a large core will occur 3° f8WEr frequency than the optimum Q for a small core. (Figure A). Core Shape: The toroidal core is the most efficient configuration for high Q RF inductors. Its self-shielding geometry also limits stray magnetic fields. A compari- son of various core shapes is shown ongpage 33 7 > 3 ts 67 aew HIG.A Frequency (ts) WINDING CONSIDERATIONS: In arriving at the best winding for a given coil there are two characteristics to be minimized: resistance and capacitance. Resistance: At low frequency the resistance of copper wire is the same as its DC resistance. As frequency creases, “skin effect” causes an increase in the AC re- sistance proportional to the square root of frequency, Litz wire can be used to reduce the AC resistance. Litz wire is strands of small insulated wire completely inter- woven and connected in paralfeluatathe ends. (15/44 Litz wire is 15 strands of #44 awg3 Page Sillustrates how the use of Litz wire reduces winding resistance result- ing in higher Q. Litz wire is effective at frequencies up to about 3 MHz. Above this frequency, the advantage of reduced resistance using Litz wire is more than off- set by the disadvantage of increased capacitive losses created by the stranding. Self-capacitance: The effects of self-capacitance on Q increases with frequency squared. In a winding, self~ i Lt. 4 Ee | | . | oats FIG. B_ cAPACITANCE OF TOROIDAL WINDINGS ASA FONCTION OF THE NUMBER OF LAYERS capacitance results from the capacitance of adjacent turns as well as capacitance from the winding to the core. The turn-to-turn capacitance is affected by the number of turns, the wire size and the positioning of the turns. For a toroidal coil, one of the primary factors, controlling the capacitive build-up is the number of winding layers. Figure B illustrates that the addition of even a partial second layer winding dramatically ‘creases the turn-to-turn self-capacitance. Figure C il- lustrates this affect on Q. Distribution of Winding: Apparent inductance is in- creased by both self-capacitance and leakage induc- tance. Normally, these effects are quite small. How- ever, in low inductance, high frequency applications (above 25 MHz), where both the number of turns and resonating capacitor are small, these effects can be significant, (Figure D). Due to these effects, many of the inductance values shown throughout this supple ment vary from theory.SST Two 36.1 uh £100 turns #28 / 60 turns Ist layer 40 turns 2nd layer tt Ht eer 15 20 L=.22uh L=.26 uh L= 39th 120° TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 SUMMARY OF WINDING CONSIDERATIONS: For frequencies less than 3 MHz: 1. Resistive considerations outweigh capacitive considerations. 2. The use of Litz wire and multiple layers can be useful in reducing resistive losses and thus improving Q. For frequencies greater than 3 MH: 1. Capacitive considerations outweigh resistive considerations. 2. Single-layer windings will maximize Q. Use the largest practical wire size. Broadband Transformers: The useful frequency range for iron powder core materials s greatly increased when used in broadband transformers where optimum Q is not the primary objective. Please refer to “IRON POWDER CORES FOR BROADBAND APPLICATIONS” in Catalog 3 for additional information, n * < nt > fe) O >20 KHz to 200 KHz TEL, (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 m) Ke cs Ww = fe) i [* wit Qs FREQUENCY 20 Kir to 200 Kite rata. 1106-1 ‘soot 010 ‘001 #30 s00r30 soe e30 Le 29 mh rary Le 36 mb 12159 mh Le s4amh40 KHz to 400 KHz ‘Qs FREQUENCY s0rt to 400 Kite TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 m) r F im > fe) tt Q =40 KHz to 1000 KHz TEL, (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 oO = < L 2 fe) S Qs FREQUENCY “xt to 40 Kite 101 15/48 sta6/44 2514/39 5022/44 rr05/38 roe z20/44 200 150/44 Leas mh ray Lean mh t-347 ah 1-000 mh L= 253mh Le {00mh Qs FREQUENCY 100 Kit to 1000 Ke 61 1w015 11063 10006 6-15 1016 Too Le Lesh Leon Leon oeCQ w FREQUNCY 120 FE soot to 100 atte « Hi ferry sou 100 KHz to 1000 KHz FAX (714) 970-0400 TEL. (714) 970-9400 RS WwW fo} ig 0 Ss100 KHz to 1000 KHz 20 ‘Q vs FREQUENCY 100 Keo 1000 Ke wsr2 L309uh m0 uses C2367 uh i aor Lamb aoe 54 b= mh gaeer Laub ames Laat uh amor Lo uatmh as L135 mh 100 Keo 1000 Ke 33 23 £2 a2100 KHz to 2000 KHz Qs FHtQueNcy Tas sts ars 190.2 oor es Tes oot amas eas poor es 1-752 uh 502 room L218 ph ys FREQUENCY 20 Kt to 2000 Ke TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 BE ug fe $8y Bs BORE BBE OBE OF) ri rf Pe = fe) ta ie = —v—200 KHz to 2000 KHz ry « 1163 « 200036 ass asus » a0 136 ‘Qs FREQueNcr 200 Keo 2000 Ke i 20 wate ~ a0 o MM: 121k —n-200 KHz to 2000 KHz Teer ro0em4 T4615 r00014 —_Qwernequency a0 KH to 2000 Ke TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 MICROMETALS200 KHz to 5000 KHz wo Qys FREQUENCY Stet 5 Mie ers TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 Le dtu rere Lema ih teva uh mr) Ke F uw = fe) i (6) 1M-5 MHz to 5 MHz S00 Ke 10 Mie ry 20 2 OMOaS DS @ veFREQUENCY SMe to Mite TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 ast Soe Let uh vasa soem L-ma6 uh ae soem Lees ph | roeas sous beans ph | art som beet ph | rm) r F im = fe) © ig [ej alt sao we 10 Mite 15 20 2 eS kas-5 MHz to 10 MHz TEL, (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 nO Ke - Ww = fe) i Q > Qs FREQUENCY 1 Mito 10 te Le 16h Le 2504 Le 62th tems uh 2200 hb a7 76h1 MHz to 10 MHz Tae7 aaea8 Lo tt uh dort Gah Som t= 962uh stem 50090 L269 ih | 1 co 2 a A 5 o o7 8 3 w ys FREQUENCY 1 sett 1 te TEL, (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 Lene ih 5 uh rm) ce 5 Ww Ss fe) ig Q >1 MHz to 10 MHz @ vs FREQUENCY Mi to 10 Me Le 6th 0 e103 sh i L169 1h 1 Me 2 2 + 5 . 7 8 9 Ww Q rs FREQUENCY = Tae tre Ls 945 cote tome Uh TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 7) z = mn = fe) a Q = 1 ne 2 a ’ re)1 MHz to 10 MHz Que FREquency 1 Mt to 10 Me sg 2S ge si asa6 = 84 ah zE mane totam BE wana 1s 24 #2 sme25 = 108 Lh mee Ls 60m to m08 uh te a 5 ita MIC1 MHz to 10 MHz TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 be daub tear ut Le 96th bea oh ) Ke E mn) > fe) ii Q > 4 we 2 3 + 5 6 =2 MHz to 20 MHz Qs FREQUENCY 2M to m Me 13th 20h 7.80 Len0 4h 2 ie fi 6 * «2 ow 6 ww Ov FREQUENCY 2M 1029 Me TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 o r = Ww > (e) ig Q 22 MHz to 20 MHz ‘Qs FREQUENCY 2 Mie to 20 ite ERORERS .$8 2 6 BE 2 wre 4 . * 2 ee wm TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 BRO BEES BF a) r FE im = Q MIC 2 Mine rn ‘ * o 2 « % m @2 MHz to 20 MHz TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 rm) < F fm = fe) i e) 22 MHz to 20 MHz 2M wo 20 re tens uh TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 Yn q FE ir = fe) Ha 2 wie * ‘ * o 2 «6 MICme faery te 30 ah te 50 ah Leth te 2h Le St oh te 7h Con ih 3 MHz to 30 MHz (Q ws FREQUENCY Mie to 30 Mie TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 re FE im = fe) i MIC3 MHz to 50 MHz Q wFREquency Meo 30M 3 we 6 s 2 se UM Dw H5 MHz to 50 MHz Qs FREQUINCY 5 Meo Me Qs FREQUENCY SMe to 50 Mie TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 a) re has im = (e) ig Q =5 MHz to 100 MHz F QmFREQUINCY 0 a : a SMHeto some wo 10 5 Mane w 5 2” s 8 eM ‘Qe FREQUENCY {ant to 100 se TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 ) a ns WW = (e) ing Q S w wae ” 30 ” oo10 MHz to 100 MHz @ vs FREQUENCY 10 Me to 10 Ate 33 ee BB z2 BE 22 oa Bg BREE OBE10 MHz to 100 MHz 0060-026 (PIL) XV 0066-026 (FLL) TAL SIVWLAWOYOIN1 MHz to 100 MHz ca ve mQUiNeY 1 sito 100 he T9626 Luh sere 17 u sor be at abs ste Ls 26h 4 teas ah rarer sweet Le 72h Stee L= 20 uh at Huan ETE EE | rey i re i isso ‘QwtRLQUNCY ae f ara Si Hy i me 7a mate et ao as ea | =a tm mat iar i FAX MICROMETALS20 MHz to 200 MHz = QveIREQueNcY 20M 10200 Mite Q vs FREQUNCY 20 Mit to 200 Mie TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 rm) a FE mt) = 9 i Q 320 MHz to 300 MHz Qurmquincy $5 re 20 Mite to 200 Me Qs FREQUENCY sonata to 30 wt TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 Le) re ra Ww = Oo a MIC| Qysraequevcy 1) $8 1010-806 6 1010-803 1) sim tor0mo2 | 02 Bienes 46h ‘8570-2 (BOBBIN WITH SLEEVE) {turns #25, run TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 18702 (BOBBIN ONIN Teun 26 anu 1524-102 (PLAIN CORE) “wturme mt 49h MICROMETALSPercent Intl Permeabilty (44) SATURATION CURVES Percent Initial Permeability (4) ase RMS Voltage (Vols) Number of Turns Frequency (Hertz) Peak AC Flux Density (Gaus) EMfective Cross-Sectional Are (cm) val 1B Peak AC Flux Density (Gauss) NOTE: Militesla = Gauss x1 ve TEL. (714) 970-9400 FAX (714) 970-0400 OMETALS iC} WATEMPERATURE CONSIDERATIONS a 45% 4 45% TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENTS iNDUCTANEE +4% ‘MIX No. PRM/°C (+) +4% 4 a0 a 3 78 43% 3 ced 43% 4 a8 : 42% io 3 42% 2 0 “45 ” “ a 2 2% H% 4 - ‘ o% | 0% 4 ‘atc wre Coe we 1% 2 1% a Inductance Coetficent: the above curves illustrate typical induc- 3 tance variation versus temperature forthe ron powder Core mater “ 2% as at This characteristics quite uniform within a batch of cores but can mm ‘ary from batch to batch 3% * -3% TEMPERATURE EFFECTS Micrometals iron powder cores have an organic content and undergo thermal aging. When the cores are exposed to or generate elevated temperatures, « permanent decrease in both inductance and quality factor will gradually occur. The extent of these Changes are highly dependent on time, temperature, core size, frequency, and flux density. is essential that these properties are Considered in any design operating at or above 75°C. Iron powder cores tolerate temperatures down to ~65°C with ho permanent In high power applications where core loss is contributing to the total temperature, a decrease in quality factor will translate into an increase in eatdy current losses which will further heat the core and can lead to thermal cunaway. Designs where core lose ‘exceeds copper loss should be avoided. Hysteresis losses are unaffected by the thecmal aging, process, Miupmetals is centioving Jp characterize and model these thermal aging characteristics. Please refer to our Web Page at hitp: Avwwwspiciomelal come forthe latest information or contact us directly, We are pleased to provide iree design consultation 2 7 0% 46% a7 46% 3s Q Coefficient: The curves below show typical Q versus temperature ZS sam 4 sDmentatdependenton eee cores and winding nd snobs +4% ge 16” Srna 22 ams 12% 22 ay nse os no may 2% «4 < iS 4% TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENTS -@ im MN. rere 5 6% 4 3 7 6% 3 E-) mg 8% z 5 8% ie $ %s py -10% cg “ 9 10% 3 ~WINDING TABLE SINGLE LAYER WINDING TABLE Wiese ANG [we eee Resistivity imiven) | 384/213 | 136/037) 532) 340) 213) 1341 oa 530 330 210/12] 08s 082 | 039 rat | om [oct Ro. | ow | ame NuMen oF TuRNs jae) fae ee vy swaps ons sa mo | a6 wuinjw zis le i+ ia ra [soe as | 33 0 st 8 st ras as 33 os 8 st I 96 424 ro 956 | 110 | 7a at isin 6s 3 24 ra [1se[ tet] oso 3st pw 7 4 2d ras [its| te | 65 52 1 st | we lm 7 8 3 lt 7136/20 | 10 6 7 9 2 9 sa it Te [tt] 270 | 0% 0s 2 [mls Nn 7s 34 tar [155] 77 | 156/122 98 70 0 | | 2m vin is 6 4 2 4 re [tae] 52s] 17 os mo 55 ws st rasa [169] 490] 7 38 mos ssw ts m7 is is it 50201606 | 239 187 m4 6 9 7 9 we Bw Rs 6 sis [2a | aaa | 152 1180s 7% [59 |» [m2] 219 6 4 (2 oo | 248 | 988 | 267 us| 6 as es | 2 sl Mw 7a 6s | 247 | 112 | 26 10 7 wt m9 6 em we les rosa 227 | 125 | 2 07 ot 4) | 8 | we le ls 35 20 106 le #61 wl win 7 is is 180 2.00 2 wow ww wae Os a |s yeos 3.44 18.7 | 402 04 1611290382 wT HBO » | ge tos 344 220 | 58 230188 M8 794745 22 106 449 2s BS 158 911898 9 6 6 7 nis | &S 30475 10 | 505 os 6 as7 | 8 5S ls 1 wo 1 wi | FF v7 [sm ez [7m ee om a ae ae am wm mw wow wa] eS 658 79.1 | 886 697 564 453-357-289 230 18H ATT 9278 ST 4 6 Es uot | 754 092 | 70 613 | 496 398 aid 16s 192 8 50 roe 65009 | wis aie oie sy ae oe 2 yy me we | 1225 693 (109 | 1167 917 742 597 471 382305 4S 1951S 7o 6 466 FE 2258 9.21 143 | 1167 917 742 597471 -38Z_-OS- 2419515512397 7H 8H Ww 100795 voi2, 268 1027 eae 653 527 az aut at ater a6 ose | 13000105 W612 1268 107 5 65) 59D HH 2H 716 1088s ow | roo | 11301 | wot 14821200 966 76319494 399 317 254 sor 16012610078 ot | Taino 14436 | asa 1482) 1200 oi uy a ao woe we | A sia 177 | 629 | 2509, 2037, 1650 oo 550 437 330 278 221 170 10 | 56 | =PART NUMBER/Q CURVE INDEX Part No, Page(s) Part No. Page(s) 1300 2 TeB-6A 3 BoA wo TeB7A B 1302 vin T8840 z B03 10 T6815... 6.8 1308... Wen | Tee 1 Lie To 172-2 18, 19 a8 eu oma 18,23 1045 Wi Ta00 yy B07 7,32 Too ra on ay TOR 32,79 72 62 Toe nes Bra wi | (es cerned a6 vo 2 137-7 v2 T80-10 7 37-8 sees AR 180-15 6,9 137-10. 26, 28 TBO? 29,31 Bes 0 wr? 2.291980 31,2 1941 v6 ra re! os 144-2 a ay TMS sncsia: + 5,6,9 te3 10 Tae 23,0 1446 2 Tato 30 Tae 16,182 T1060 2 T4445. 0.12 106-1 5,6,7 Tiow-2 7123 . 7106-3... 5,6,7 La T1066 nee 150-2 1106-15... i 5,7 1303 A 82 120-17, 2m 1506 nee oy ze 150-7 130-2 73,3 33 22 2» 308 Le a 55 7226 20 150-10 es nee Fs 50-15. " BE 125.0 32 150-17 157-2 B as T25-1 sosssecvseses Wy 44 TSB. oyoosessescee BAB Z wae 620 see a= 125-3 1 ‘151-68 m1 7 1235-6 20, 21, 24 wet . i 7 2 TH06 2 z 125-10. 28, 29 7184-6 19 1235 1 To84 @8 aap, ‘i TBA? svc TORR R59 TNR B 168-3 sorieeen 6 1200-6 79 12 2 Tees 3 las “ 735 Teh 2 17-10 3 T608 6 T400-2 B MICROMETALS q 3