High-Frequency Power Components for Electronics and Other Devices

Why Do We Need High-Frequency Power Supply Components For Electronics and Other Devices?

The answer is both straightforward and multi-faceted. High-frequency power supply components are vital in various technological applications for several key reasons, including but not limited to:

Durability and Reliability: Opting for high-frequency magnetics offers distinct advantages when durability and reliability are paramount. Unlike traditional ferromagnetic-core inductors, which often have limitations due to saturating frequencies, high-frequency components can mitigate signal distortion over long distances.
Component Miniaturization: As the frequency of electronic components like inductors increases, their physical size tends to shrink. This miniaturization is particularly valuable in portable and space-constrained devices, allowing them to be more compact without sacrificing performance.
Efficiency: High-frequency products often outperform their low-frequency equivalents in terms of efficiency. For example, power converters and amplifiers that operate at higher frequencies often exhibit better efficiency, which helps minimize energy loss and heat production
Image Resolution: Higher frequencies can yield better resolution in specific contexts, such as medical equipment and applications, which enables the capture of more detailed images, which can be critical for accurate diagnoses.

Overall, the advantages of high-frequency power supply components make them essential in a wide range of modern engineering and technological applications. Let’s explore some of the type of components needed here.

Types of High-Frequency Power Supply Components

Due to a wide variety of custom high-frequency product designs, many different types of high-frequency components exist. These power supply components are typically categorized into the following categories:

High-Frequency Inductors, Coils and Chokes

Inductors, coils and chokes all work based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, using it to resist changes in current, filter out certain frequencies and store energy. These properties make them useful in a wide range of electronic applications.

Custom High-Frequency Inductors

Inductors are crucial in electronics as they are used to store energy. Inductors are made of a coil of conducting wire. When an electric current passes through the coil, it creates a magnetic field around it. If the current changes, the magnetic field also changes, and this changing magnetic field induces a voltage in the coil. This induced voltage opposes the change in current, a property called inductance. Inductors are used in electronic circuits for various purposes, such as filtering, energy storage and blocking or allowing certain frequencies.

Custom Coils for High-Frequency

A coil is essentially a wire loop, often wound around a core. In electronics, the term “coil” usually refers to inductors, as they are commonly made from wire coils. However, coils can also be used in other ways, such as in transformers, where two coils transfer energy from one circuit to another. Using custom coils for your high-frequency needs is crucial to your device’s success, as we can design the inductor, coil and choke specific to your current capacity, frequency and mounting needs.

Custom Chokes and Mode Chokes for High-Frequency

A choke is an inductor used to block higher-frequency alternating current (AC) in an electrical circuit while passing lower-frequency or direct current (DC). It works by using the property of inductance to resist changes in current. When high-frequency AC passes through the choke, it induces a voltage that opposes the current, effectively reducing the current’s amplitude. At the same time, lower-frequency AC or DC is less affected and can pass through more easily.

A common-mode choke is a type of electrical component that filters out common-mode electromagnetic interference (EMI) from an electrical circuit. If EMI is not filtered out, it can potentially damage the other components in your system.

High-Temperature Magnetic Components

“High Temperature” refers to magnetic components used in harsh environments where other components fail due to overheating. The “high temperature” refers to operations usually above 185 degrees Fahrenheit or 85 degrees Celsius.

High-temperature magnetic components serve similar functions to inductors, coils and chokes but are manufactured to withstand stress and heat degradation. These components are especially useful in industrial applications, oil and gas, military operations, space and aeronautics.

Amgis engineers can design to meet any high-temperature application up to 392 degrees Farenheit, resulting in an unparalleled versatility in the marketplace. Our custom, high-frequency magnetics are designed to also meet custom mounting requirements and limited space constraints.

Custom High-Frequency Pulse Transformers

High-frequency pulse transformers are a specific type of pulse transformer designed to operate at high frequencies, often in the range of kilohertz (kHz) to megahertz (MHz) or even higher.

Amgis custom pulse transformers make the perfect choice for gate-driven circuits, voltage isolation and impedance matching. Our engineers understand the importance of delivering clean, reliable signals, so our pulse transformers are designed to meet low leakage inductance and capacitance requirements.

Custom High-Frequency Switch Mode Power Supply Transformers

Switch mode power supplies, or “SMPS”, require specific high-frequency transformers and energy-storing inductors. These components are highly efficient power supplies that use a switching regulator to convert power efficiently. Our switch mode power supply components are custom designed to operate at high-frequencies. For higher-frequency SMPS transformers, our engineers develop the transformers with a special Litz wire that guards against skin effect and copper losses.

Amgis custom switch mode power supply transformers are ideal for computers and laptop hardware, mobile device supplies, renewable energy conversion systems and more.

Custom High-Frequency Current Sensors and High-Frequency Transformers

Current transformers and sensors provide a more efficient and safer way to measure high currents because no direct contact with the electrical conductors is needed. Our high-frequency current transformers and sensors are manufactured with special core material such as ferrites because of its high magnetic permeability properties. This ensures reliable operation and higher frequencies, resulting in less core losses.

Amgis engineers manufacture current sensors and transformers to operate up to 1 MHz depending on the other materials incorporated. Our range of custom manufacturing for these high-frequency components includes: range of currents, special footprint (THD or SMD), mounting pins or stranded leads, custom connectors or plugs, either window configuration or split core and special mounting.

Custom High-Frequency Power Supply Components Frequently Asked Questions

What are high-frequency current transformers used for?
Current transformers enable a safer way to measure currents. In short, current transformers reproduce the line current proportionally so that it can be measured. Similarly, high-frequency transformers are used for the same function, however designed differently to handle higher frequencies.
Why should frequency be maintained in a power system?
In a power system, the frequency that is typically maintained is 50 Hz or 60 Hz, depending on the region. These frequencies are considered standard for most electrical power systems worldwide. Maintaining a stable frequency is crucial for the proper functioning of a power system.
Why is Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) better than a linear power supply?
When designing with high-frequencies, a SMPS is preferred over a linear power supply. Not only can they operate at higher-frequencies with more durability, but they are also smaller and more compact.
Why does the gain of an amplifier reduce at high-frequency?
The gain of an amplifier often reduces at high frequencies due to several factors, including inherent limitations of the amplifier’s components and circuitry. Specific behavior of an amplifier at high frequencies depends on its design, technology, and intended application. For this reason, it is important to always consider custom, high-frequency components when designing your product, especially if you plan to operate at higher frequencies.

High-Frequency Products, Explained