Panasonic ETQP8M SMT inductors are automotive qualified for up to 44 A

By Jim Harrison

Automotive electronic systems is an expanding area, gaining much attention from the design community. Of course, autonomous vehicle electronic systems have extensive safety, reliability, and quality requirements. The power conversion designs for these systems have the same stringent requirements, as do power conversion for engine control units (ECU) and electric vehicle control. Power conversion inductors are one of, if not the, most critical component of these designs.

To fit these applications, Panasonic has released the ETQP8MxxxJFA 12-mm SMT high-current power choke. This device is AEC-Q200 automotive-qualified and has an operation temperature of −40°C to 160°C (including self-temperature rise).

The 12.2 x 13.6-mm devices inductance values range from 0.33 to 4.7 µH with a DCR of 0.77 to 5.39 mΩ maximum. The inductors feature a high-vibration resistance as result of newly developed integral construction, with a 30G vibration specification. They use a ferrous alloy magnetic material that yields excellent inductance stability along with very soft saturation characteristics. The 1-µH version is rated at 31.8 A for a 40°C temperature rise and a saturation current of 44.4 A.