TME, the global, multimillion dollar revenue stockholding distributor of electronic components, will be showcasing Panasonic’s wide range of passive components at this year’s electronica. During the event visitors to the TME booth (Hall B5:361) can discuss with experts how to select the most appropriate Panasonic passive component that maintains stable parameters in the most compact design with many years of operation at elevated temperatures.
One of the first components to feel the effects of downsizing are resistors, where they may be exposed both to self-heating resulting from power dissipation and to elevated ambient temperature. Panasonic’s portfolio of chip resistors, available from TME, is dominated by thick film and thin film constructions. In projects requiring high accuracy, parts offering tolerances of up to ±0.05% and a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) starting from 10ppm/°C are available. The wide choice of packaging options allows designers to match the component to both spatial constraints as well as heat dissipation requirements.
Continuous temperature monitoring in areas most prone to overheating is one of the most effective ways to limit thermal problems caused by downsizing. Panasonic’s NTC thermistors for surface mounting are available in small 0201, 0402, and 0603 enclosures, allowing them to be placed directly near elements generating the most heat. TME stocks models with resistances from 6.8kΩ to 100kΩ and a material B-constant ranging from 3380K to 4700K with a tolerance of ±3% or ±5%, intended for operation in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +125°C. Such a wide selection enables engineers to match the sensor’s characteristics to the requirements of a specific application and allows effective temperature monitoring both in industrial devices and consumer electronics.
The effects of downsizing are also particularly visible in power supply circuits. Capacitors are not only responsible for energy storage and voltage filtering but also for maintaining their parameters during operation at elevated temperatures. Any increase in equivalent series resistance (ESR) or changes in capacitance can reduce the efficiency of the entire circuit. TME stocks over 10,000 Panasonic capacitors of various types. These include electrolytic, hybrid, polymer, and film constructions, available both as SMD and THT versions. Depending on the series, models designed to operate at temperatures up to +125°C are also available, which is especially important in designs with high power density. Such a broad offer facilitates component selection for applications with diverse requirements.
Increasing power density places ever greater demands on power supply circuits. Inductors directly influence the efficiency of switching converters and must maintain their properties despite high temperature and large operating currents. Panasonic inductors have a tolerance of ±20% and includes parts designed for SMD mounting. These are wire-wound constructions with inductances from 0.19µH to 0.1mH, adapted to operate with working currents reaching several amperes. Depending on the series, components can operate at temperatures up to +150°C, and selected models meet the AEC-Q200 automotive standard. The wide range of parameters allows engineers to optimise the power supply circuit in terms of both efficiency and occupied space, helping to reduce energy losses and heat emission.
The range of Panasonic passive components is complemented by EMI filters and varistors that help protect devices against electromagnetic interference and surge impulses. For designers focusing on downsizing, their importance grows with the increasing density of component placement and the rising sensitivity of electronic circuits to interference. The TME catalogue includes SMD EMI filters designed for use in 5V DC circuits, whose compact dimensions eases integration.
A much wider group of products is formed by Panasonic varistors, available both as SMD and THT versions. They include ceramic, metal-oxide, and zinc oxide parts, allowing the component to be matched to the requirements of a specific application and the expected level of surge protection.
“Miniaturisation will continue, so selecting passive components becomes one of the key stages of designing more compact electronics,” says Marcin Witkowski, Passive Components Product Group Manager, TME. “Panasonic’s wide portfolio of passive components available at TME enables engineers to choose solutions tailored to the requirements of both simple electronic devices and advanced industrial applications.”
Engineers and industry professionals are invited to meet the TME team during electronica in Munich, located at Booth 361, Hall B5 to learn how Panasonic’s wide portfolio of passive components make the miniaturisation journey a successful one.
