Basic Facts about Inductors [Lesson 4] Roles of Inductors - "Structure of inductors"
Aug 31, 2011
Category: Inductor Room
The topic dealt with in Lesson 4 describes the structure of inductors.
[Lesson 4] Roles of Inductors ‐Structure of inductors‐
Lessons 2 and 3 dealt with high-frequency inductors and power supply line inductors. In this lesson we will look at the differences in the characteristics of inductors and their uses and applications from the perspective of their structures.
Wire wound, multilayer and film are the main structures used by Murata's inductors. This lesson examines what are the differences in characteristics based on the structures of Murata's high-frequency inductors and how inductors with each of these structures are used.
First, the graph below shows the frequency characteristics of the Q by structure of the 1005 size of Murata's high-frequency coils. As is clear from this graph, a feature of the wire wound type is its extremely high Q value. Similarly, it is clear that the Q value of the film type is higher than that of the multilayer type.
The wire wound inductors in the LQW series feature a high Q value. Inductors with high Q values are used in the matching circuits of RF units because their high Q values give them excellent attenuation characteristics inside the pass band of the filters. They are also frequently used in the matching applications of antennas for maintaining the transmission and reception sensitivity of the antennas. Furthermore, since they have low Rdc characteristics, they are also employed in choke circuits in which high current levels flow.
The film inductors in the LQP series have a different set of features, since micromachining of the coil patterns is enabled by forming the electrodes using a photolithography technique. The inductors can have smaller sizes and high Q characteristics, while at the same time the series offers a line-up of inductors with inductance values that both deviate minimally and are finely graded. The line-up consists of a wide range of the inductors in the 0603 size, which is becoming the mainstream, and in the 0402 size, which is the smallest in the industry, and both sizes support the trend toward miniaturized sizes. These inductors are used in the matching and resonance circuits of RF units that require miniaturized sizes, minimal deviation in inductance and finely graded inductance levels. They are also used in choke circuits that demand miniaturized sizes and low Rdc.
Multilayer inductors have the lowest Q value of the three structures. They feature a good overall balance in terms of the inductance value line-up, size and cost, and are used in the matching and resonance circuits of RF units and in all kinds of choke circuits.
Each of the three structures has its own special features, and each should be used in ways that capitalize on those special features. In the next lesson, we will look at inductor mounting.
person in charge: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. S.S
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Aug 31, 2011
Category: Inductor Room