With the rapid advancement of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies, the number of sensing devices such as cameras, radars, and microphones installed in vehicles is increasing significantly. As high-performance components proliferate, Tier 1 manufacturers face three major challenges: ensuring high reliability, reducing PCB footprint for miniaturization, and achieving cost reduction.
Among these, protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a critical factor that directly impacts the stability of in-vehicle communication systems.
To address these needs, TDK offers the AVRH Series of chip varistors as ESD protection components for automotive communication applications, providing a smaller and higher-performance alternative to conventional TVS diodes.

TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) announces the release of five new SMD multilayer varistors (MLVs). As an industry first, these components feature a reduced carbon (CO2) footprint while fulfilling demanding automotive qualification requirements. These parts are the first representatives of TDK’s new X-series, which is continually being expanded for automotive as well as for industrial and consumer applications. The X series satisfies both the growing demand for eco-friendly products, and the commercial requirement for cost-attractive products, while maintaining TDK’s high level of reliability and performance.

For electronic device design, it is important to allow necessary signals to pass while to block unwanted signals (noise). Some pattern designs of a printed circuit board (PCB) can be influenced by ESD (electrostatic discharge). By visualizing the behavior of ESD intruding into the PCB, we can confirm the effectiveness of ESD countermeasures for the PCB design. In this article, we introduce effective GND pattern designs and the use of ESD protection components to enhance ESD robustness.

TDK Meister is an application software for Windows®, that can search TDK electronic components and display graphs for their characteristics. Using TDK Meister, you can easily select TDK electronic components that are optimum for electronic circuit design and EMC counter measure. In this article, overview and major functions of TDK Meister are introduced.

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Protective measures are essential for ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) to prevent malfunctions or failures in electronic devices. However because these components are mounted directly on the line, selecting inappropriate ESD protective components can affect the signal on the line even under normal conditions. Examples include high-speed communication lines with differential signals, such as those used in automotive communications' CAN (Controller Area Network) and Ethernet. These can exhibit significant impacts, not only deteriorating communication quality but also potentially affecting EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) performance in the worst cases.

TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) presents two new varistor series in SMD design. The types of both series are available for a wide range of operating voltages from 175 VRMS to 460 VRMS, corresponding to 225 VDC to 615 VDC. While the B72210M* series of surge devices, which are equivalent to S14 leaded disk varistors, offers a surge current capability of 6000 A, the B72214M* series types, which are equivalent to S20 leaded disk varistors, have a high surge current capability of 10,000 A. All types are designed for a high operating temperature of a maximum of +125 °C and extremely damp heat environment (85% relative humidity at +85 °C).

TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) has developed the J404, the world's first* surface-mountable inrush current limiter (ICL) based on PTC (positive temperature coefficient) technology. Designed for DC voltages of up to 500 V and AC voltages of up to 350 V, the device (order number B59404J0170A062) automatically and intrinsically limits excessive currents in applications such as DC links and charging devices in electromobility.

TDK’s chip varistors are ESD protection components that can solve various needs that are specific to audio lines. We shall now explain the various advantages providing the optimal solutions for the audio lines of smartphones.

Noise Countermeasures in Automotive DC Motors, Contact Protection and Extension of Motor Line in Ring Varistors