Automobiles are entering a period of change, and technological innovation supporting electrification and its widespread adoption are becoming important topics.
At the same time, measures to reduce CO2 and exhaust emissions by addressing environmental issues require efforts to develop engines with higher efficiency.
In this article, we present TDK temperature sensors (NTC thermistors) and pressure sensor transmitter/pressure sensor die products that are essential for enhancing engine intake and exhaust performance in order to contribute to the resolution of these issues.

The evolution of sensing technology and communication network contribute to the realization of an Autonomous driving society and its growth. Ultrasonic parking assistant is a key sensor for automated driving and parking functions. Ultrasonic parking sensors were in use in Europe long before debate on automated driving became active. TDK has for many years supplied Piezo Disks and ultrasonic driver transformers for use with ultrasonic parking sensors. TDK also developed a multilayer ceramic chip capacitor that exhibits attenuating capacitance (ZL characteristics) under high-temperature environments that is suitable for resonant circuits with Piezo Disk. This article presents Piezo Disk, ultrasonic driver transformers, and MLCC with ZL characteristics.

As the electrification of automobiles advances, power consumption control is becoming an increasingly important factor. LED Lighting Technology design reduces power consumption, increases lifecycle, offers design freedom and overall control. It is now used in Automotive functions including headlights and interior lighting. The TDK Group offers an extensive lineup of power inductors for use in LED drivers optimized for different systems including step-up, step-down, and step-up/step-down types.

As the electrification of the automotive progresses, the demand for motor generators is on the rise. There is also a trend towards integration of electric motors and inverters, and the requirements with regard to compact dimensions and resistance against heat and vibrations are becoming ever more severe, while high reliability is also an important factor. In some cases, wiring inductance can lead to high surge voltages which requires countermeasures such as suitable wiring design and snubber capacitors. At the same time, noise countermeasures are also essential.

The methods of use of automobiles will change substantially in the future including autonomous driving and car sharing services, and the human machine interface (HMI) between drivers and their cars will also completely change.
The automobile industry is developing the digital cockpit in pursuit of an HMI that will provide safety and reassurance while freeing drivers from the burdens of driving and allow time to be used meaningfully and in comfort.
Below is an introduction to TDK product and technologies that enhance the value of the digital cockpit with the aim of achieving an HMI that ensures and enhance safety and reassurance through the driver's senses.

The evolution of sensing technology and communication network contribute to the realization of Autonomous driving society and its growth. In association with full-scale expansion of the "5G service" next-generation wireless communication standard, great attention is being placed on wireless technology intended for "vehicle-to-vehicle and infrastructure-to-vehicle communication" (V2X) to communicate data between automobiles and their surroundings. While the TDK Group can offer a lineup of various electronic components for V2X, this article introduces a selection of IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and high-frequency products for Telematics Control Units (TCUs).

Whether for smartphones, vehicles, industrial controls, home appliances or gaming consoles – the future belongs to piezo-based solutions with haptic feedback. TDK offers a unique portfolio of products that are suitable for every imaginable haptic application.

Surface treatment is indispensable for the secure bonding of plastic parts. Activation with cold plasma is an equally simple yet elegant solution. Relyon Plasma, a subsidiary of TDK Electronics, offers the piezobrush® PZ2 – a handy plasma source based on the TDK CeraPlas™ piezo plasma generator.

As electronic devices become more advanced, the power supply voltage of LSIs used in them is lowered, so their power consumption can be reduced and their speed increased. However, a decrease in the power supply voltage also causes the requirements regarding voltage fluctuations to become more severe, creating a need for high-performance DC-DC converters to fulfill these characteristic requirements, and power inductors are important components that greatly affect their performance. TDK has a widely varied lineup of power inductor products, and this article describes and explains effective methods for using power inductors, and key points for selecting them, according to the required characteristics of DC-DC converters.

The individual components in variable-speed drives cause earth leakage currents that cumulatively result in the tripping of the RCD. By using the upgraded EPCOS LeaXield™ active leakage current filter, these earth leakage currents be drastically reduced.