With the spread of cloud computing and smartphones and the launch of 5G in 2020, the amount of data that moves on the internet is increasing as high-volume video and game data is added to existing documents, images, and sound data.
In addition, technologies are evolving, exemplified by AI, and a digital transformation (DX) is taking place as a result of the use of big data and the internet of things (IoT). To support these advances, however, large numbers of high-performance servers that can process large volumes of data will be needed. In conjunction with the increased performance of processors and various types of ICs, higher clock speeds of power supply ICs on server boards, high current power saving, miniaturization, noise countermeasures in data lines, and surge countermeasures have become urgent issues. Here, we introduce TDK products for addressing and solving these problems including the VLBU series of ferrite power inductors compatible with the high-efficiency needs of VR13 and VR14 applications, the FS series of DC-DC converters with embedded μPOL™, solutions using the ALT series of pulse transformers and ALC series of common mode filters and chokes, and chip varistors and ceramic transient voltage suppressors used for surge protection.

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 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.