The capacity to deliver Epcos

THE CAPACITY TO DELIVER

Epcos is part of the giant TDK Group of Japan and is a global leader in the development and manufacture of high-tech capacitors and inductors. Philip Yorke takes a closer look some of the company’s latest innovative products and how it is shaping the future of technology in the communications and automotive electronics sectors.

Epcos AG is based in Munich, German, and develops and produces electronic components, modules and systems focused on fast-growing, leading edge technology sectors. These include advanced products for information and communications technology applications and for automotive electronics, as well as for industrial and consumer electronics. Epcos capacitors are used throughout the electrical and engineering industries and are used to store electrical charges, or to regulate current and voltage in electronic circuitry.

The company’s product portfolio includes aluminium, electrolytic capacitors, film capacitors and power capacitors, as well as solutions for power factor correction. Epcos inductors fulfil two basic electrical functions at the same time: they filter electrical current and store electromagnetic energy.

Among other things, the company’s inductors are used in switch-mode power supplies for applications in information and communications technology. In addition, Epcos ceramic components are indispensable when used in automotive electronics and household appliances, as well as in telecommunications and entertainment electronics. Today Epcos operates a global network of manufacturing plants and R&D centres and

currently employs more than 25,500 people worldwide. In 2013 TDK Epcos recorded sales of more than €1.8 billion.

Quality and innovation driving sales

The Epcos vision is to make the Epcos brand synonymous with outstanding technological and business performance in the field of electronics. With its Quality Management (QM) system and its ‘zero-defect’ commitment to its customers, the company is continually improving both its processes and the quality of its products.

Carmakers and manufacturers of automotive electronics systems are leading the way in demanding ever more efficient, energy-saving and cost-effective components. Therefore economy, customer benefit and quality are key criteria of the company’s product assessment profile. However, environmental compatibility is also high on Epcos’ agenda.

A recent example of Epcos’ advanced technology was revealed in February this year when it launched the world’s smallest Bluetooth Smart Module, which reduces power consumption to about one quarter of that of traditional Bluetooth devices. Epcos AG’s ultra- compact Bluetooth low energy module is designed for the Bluetooth 4.0 low energy (LE) specification. Thanks to its compact size the new module is very well suited for use in emerging wearable devices. This is a market that researchers expect will grow rapidly in the near future. Therefore, mass production of the company’s SESUBPAN T2541 began in February this year.

Industry’s smallest multilayer diplexer

Smartphones and other high-tech communication devices will now benefit from the launch of the new multilayer diplexer from Epcos. With its miniature dimensions of only 1.0mm X 0.5mm X 0.4mm, the latest diplexer from Epcos is the smallest in the industry. This means that the volume of the new component is more than 60 per cent smaller than those of existing 1608 diplexers, Despite its significant reduction in size, the new Epcos diplexer provides equal or even better insertion loss and attention performance. For example, the maximum low band insertion loss at 2.4 to 2.5 GHz is just 0.5dB, while the high band attenuation in the same frequency range is at least 25dB. Mass production of this item was commenced in February this year. This latest diplexer from Epcos is ideal for use in both Bluetooth and WLAN circuitry in mobile devices.

The company has also expanded its portfolio of MHQ-P high Q multilayer inductors which now features the highest Q factor for any multilayer inductor of its size and is suitable for all RF applications, such as smartphones, tablets and other modern mobile devices. The achievement of such a high Q factor in an extremely

compact package was made possible by the use of the company’s proprietary dielectric materials technology and an internal electrode cross-section design with a high-aspect ratio. This was combined with an optimised L-shaped terminal layout. The new 0402 components have a volume that is 70 per cent smaller and a footprint that is 53 per cent smaller than existing MHQ 0603P series and are designed to make RF circuits in multifunctional communications devices more efficient than ever before.

In the field of power capacitors, Epcos has extended its range with higher-density products. The new MKK DCi-R series with resin impregnation is based on the well-proven MKK DC series with gas impregnation and the MKK DC-1 with oil impregnation. This new series features capacitors that are rated to have more than 10,000uf and designed for voltages up to 4000V DC. The energy density of the new resin impregnated capacitors is about 10 per cent higher than that of existing gas-impregnated types.

Furthermore, the flat winding technology allows a volume fill factor of about 95 per cent to be achieved, so that highly compact components can be produced in fully automated production runs. What’s more, thanks to its rugged design, these capacitors are characterised by their high current capability and their ability to withstand high voltage current peaks. n

For further details of Epcos’ latest innovative products and services visit: www.epcos.com