TDK Launches High-Efficiency Inductors for Automotive Power Systems

In automotive electronics, power inductors are essential for stabilizing and filtering current in ECU power supply circuits, particularly in ADAS, xEV platforms and camera modules. As these systems increase in number and functionality, engineers require components that maintain efficiency while fitting into compact PCB spaces and operating reliably under high thermal stress. TDK’s BCL3520FT series addresses these design needs by offering a low-loss inductor option in a 3.3 × 3.5 × 2.0 mm package.

Electrical Performance and Efficiency Considerations
The BCL3520FT series entered mass production in December 2025 and is designed around proprietary metallic magnetic materials that reduce resistive and thermal losses. For a 0.47-µH inductor in this size category, the component’s typical DC resistance is 5 mΩ. This value represents roughly a 15% reduction compared to comparable inductors, enabling improved conversion efficiency in DC-DC power stages common to modern ECUs.

The design replaces a conventional round conductor with a flat winding, a configuration that reduces copper loss and helps limit temperature rise during high-current operation. As a result, the inductor supports a rated saturation current (Isat) of 10 A—approximately 28% higher than similar products. For engineers, this level of current handling allows flexibility when designing multi-rail architectures or ADAS systems with rapidly varying loads.

Reliability and Operating Conditions
Automotive power electronics typically face elevated ambient temperatures, especially when installed near engines, in sealed housings, or within densely populated ADAS control units. The BCL3520FT inductors are qualified for operation up to +155 °C, which is the upper guaranteed temperature limit. This range ensures that the magnetic and electrical properties remain stable in high-temperature zones of the vehicle. The series is also AEC-Q200 compliant, meeting stress test conditions required for automotive applications.

Role in High-Function Automotive Systems
As ADAS and xEV architectures continue to integrate additional processors, sensors, and communication modules, each ECU demands stable power conversion stages capable of handling higher currents within constrained layouts. The BCL3520FT series is designed for these environments, where maintaining low losses and consistent inductance is essential for overall powertrain efficiency and signal reliability in safety-critical modules.

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