Trends in Surface Mount Technology and High Power Resistors

摘要

Design breakthroughs in electronic components have resulted in remarkable advances producing smaller, more powerful electronic devices. The "downsizing" of processors and the development of busses to increase speed has not only increased the demand for components, it also has created a demand for high-power, precision resistors. In the past, designers may have used leaded wirewounds or large film resistors. Current industrial and automotive designs increasingly require robust surface mount devices (SMD). One of the best devices for this requirement is one of the oldest resistor technologies available: wire-wound resistors. Wirewounds were first commercially manufactured and used circa 1900. Since that time, innovative resistor technologies (for example, carbon composition and film) and package variations have been developed. SMDs were introduced in the late 1970s. Although this new package form was limited to a 1206 case size and a 1/8W rating, it became the original industry standard.