Basic Knowledge About Electronic Components
■ Capacitors
The basic function of a capacitor is to store
electricity (an electric charge). The symbol for
capacitors is C. The unit used to indicate the
amount of electricity that can be stored (the ca-
pacitance) is the Farad (F). The basic structure
of a capacitor is a dielectric material (insulator)
sandwiched between two electrodes. Some ca-
pacitor types are ceramic capacitors, film ca-
pacitors, and electrolytic capacitors. The type
depends on the type of dielectric used.
TDK’s leading product is a multilayer ceramic
chip capacitor mounted on a substrate surface.
This capacitor is not only suitable for small elec-
tronic devices, it has a long lifespan and excel-
lent reliability, and comes in a wide range of ca-
pacitances. Capacitors are available in a variety
of sizes from relatively large to extremely small.
When indicating the external dimensions, the
notation “1005,” for example, means 1.0 mm
long by 0.5 mm wide.
● Comparison of Multilayer Ceramic Chip
Capacitor Sizes
29
From the left: 5750, 4532, 3225, 3216, 2012, 1608, 1005, 0603,
and 0402 sized capacitors (actual size).
● The Manufacturing Process of Multilayer
Ceramic Chip Capacitors
Dielectric and electrode layering
Sintering
Terminal electrode formation
Inspection
Taping
■ Inductors
The fundamental property of inductors, also
known as coils, is the generation of a magnetic
field when current passes through and the crea-
tion of electromotive force depending on chan-
ges in magnetic flux. The symbol for inductors
is L, and the unit indicating the characteristics
of inductors is the Henry (H). The basic struc-
ture of an inductor is wire wound in a spiral
shape. Generally, the wire is wound around a
core made of ferrite. applied is known as magnetorestriction. Ele-
TDK manufactures SMD (surface mounted) type
inductors with the coil wrapped in resin and
chip types, which are formed by multilayer
printing in a coil pattern. There are also induc-
tors with lead wires. Choke coils and common
mode filters, which are used as noise counter-
measures are also types of inductors.
● The Manufacturing Process of SMD
Inductors
Winding and soldering
Washing and undercoating
Formation and machining
Inspection
Taping
■ EMC Components
EMC is an abbreviation for electromagnetic
compatibility. Generally speaking, EMC refers to
the problems associated with noise generated
by electronic devices and the measures taken to
counteract that noise. The electronic compo-
nents used to solve the problems of noise are
EMC countermeasure components, also known
as noise countermeasures. As IC clock speeds
increase, there is a greater tendency for high-
frequency noise to occur, and noise counter-
measures become more difficult to implement.
In addition, the enhanced functions and high
degree of integration of electronic components
has exacerbated the noise problem. Noise
countermeasures include beads made of ferrite
with excellent high-frequency noise absorbing
properties, filters, magnetic shielding material,
and radio wave absorbing material as well as
capacitors, which are widely used as noise
countermeasures. As an expert on noise coun-
termeasures, TDK offers total solutions from the
measurement and evaluation of noise to devel-
oping noise countermeasures, and has won
considerable praise in the industry.
■ Giant Magnetorestrictive Elements
The phenomenon of expansion, contraction, or
a change in shape and a change in magnetic
permeability (the ease with which a magnetic
field passes through) when a magnetic field is
Contents
Here, There, and Everywhere —TDK Electronic Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ments that exhibit large magnetorestrictive ef-
fects are called giant magnetorestrictive ele- Notebook PCs
ments. TDK believes that the properties of a Faster, Smaller, and Higher-Density: Meeting the Challenge of the Leading Edge . . . . . 3
large change in size or shape, rapid response,
and high energy conversion can be put to use ADSL Modem
in actuators and sensors. Packed with Technologies Supporting Broadband Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
TDK’s giant magnetorestrictive elements are
being developed for use in electric motor assis- PC Peripherals
ted bicycles as sensors that detect the torque
on the pedals. TDK is also considering their use
They’re All Around Us: A Diverse Lineup of PC Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
for precisely adjusting the amount of fuel injec- Cell Phones
ted into automobile engines by injectors and
board speakers that generate music by vibrat- Anytime, Anywhere: Technologies to Support Ever-Expanding Features . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ing a flat board.
TDK Materials and Process Technologies Support the Realization of a Global
Ubiquitous Network Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Automobiles
Reliable Support for Superior Driving Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Automobiles
■ Thick Films and Thin Films Safer and More Comfortable: Continuously Meeting the Needs of the Times. . . . . . . . 13
There is no clear standard to distinguish be-
tween thick films and thin films, but generally a Car Navigation 30
thickness of 1 μm (micron: 1 micron equals one
Now Offering Performance on a par with PCs and Home Audio and Video Equipment . . 15
thousandth of a millimeter) sorts between them.
In the case of passive components, films
ITS and Telematics: Changing the Driving Experience
formed by using certain printing techniques or
sheet methods such as applying a thin layer of — Linking Automobiles to a Data Communications Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
a magnetic material or dielectric material in
paste form are generally referred to as thick
LCD Televisions
films. Metallic or alloy films formed through va- Sharp Resolution Becomes a Reality, Heralding the Age of Flat-Panel TVs . . . . . . . . . 19
por deposition or sputtering (colliding ions into
a material and forming the film from the atoms DVD Recorders, HDDs
that are thrown off) are usually called thin films. A New Way to Enjoy Video:
These films have a thickness of tens of nanome-
Built-in HDDs Allow Sophisticated Recording and Editing Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
ters to hundreds of nanometers (1 nanometer is
one thousandth of a micron). DSC
High-Resolution Equipment Made to Pro Specs: Create Beauty Effortlessly . . . . . . . . 23
■ Active Components and Passive
Components
DVC
Active components are electronic components
that input and output electric current or signals, Make Your Own Movies with Ease: And Then Sit Back and Enjoy Them. . . . . . . . . . . 24
A Tour of TDK’s Electronics Products
generate or supply energy, or amplify or modify
Digital Technology: Bringing About Evolution and Fusion in the World of Consumer (TDK Detective Squad 2)
signals. ICs, transistors, and diodes are typical
Electronics — Now Household Users Can Build Their Own High-Capacity Digital Publication date: January 20, 2004
active components.
Published by:
In contrast, passive components are compo- Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 TDK Times Editorial Group,
nents that consume or store electric energy.
Corporate Communications Dept., TDK Corp.
Capacitors, coils, and resistors are the three Environmentally Conscious Products: Because TDK Wants to Stay on Good Terms 1-13-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku,
elements of passive components. Electronic de-
with the Earth Forever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Tokyo 103-8272 Japan
vices require both active and passive compo- Telephone (+81) 3-5201-7102
nents to operate, and their functions are largely TDK’s Manufacturing Network: Spreading Around the Globe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
determined by the combination of these two
types of components. Basic Knowledge About Electronic Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
This booklet is printed on recycled paper with soy ink.