An electrical component includes a conductor having a plurality of conductor sections. The conductor sections are electrically short-circuited. The short circuit is at least partially eliminated when the temperature of the component exceeds a threshold or limit value. An electrical circuit including the component and a method for increasing the inductance of an electrical component having a conductor, are also provided.

A ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body and first and second outer electrodes. The first and second outer electrodes respectively include first and second resin-containing electrode layers and first and second Ni plating layers. The first and second Ni plating layers are respectively provided on the first and second resin-containing electrode layers. When a thickness of the first or second Ni plating layer is t1 and a distance by which a portion of the first or second Ni plating layer that is in contact with the second principal surface extends in the length direction is t2, t2/t1 is less than about 1.

In one embodiment, a switching circuit includes an electronic switch comprising one or more diodes for switching a reactance element within an electronically variable reactance element. A first power switch receives an input signal and a first voltage, and switchably connects the first voltage to a common output in response to the received input signal. A second power switch receives an input signal and a second voltage, and switchably connects the second voltage to the common output in response to the received input signal. The second voltage is opposite in polarity to the first voltage. The first power switch and the second power switch asynchronously connect the first voltage and the second voltage, respectively, to the common output, the one or more diodes of the electronic switch being switched according to the first voltage or the second voltage being connected to the common output.

In one embodiment, a switching circuit includes an electronic switch comprising one or more diodes for switching a reactance element within an electronically variable reactance element. A first power switch receives an input signal and a first voltage, and switchably connects the first voltage to a common output in response to the received input signal. A second power switch receives an input signal and a second voltage, and switchably connects the second voltage to the common output in response to the received input signal. The second voltage is opposite in polarity to the first voltage. The first power switch and the second power switch asynchronously connect the first voltage and the second voltage, respectively, to the common output, the one or more diodes of the electronic switch being switched according to the first voltage or the second voltage being connected to the common output.

Systems, devices, and methods for micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) tunable capacitors can include a fixed actuation electrode attached to a substrate, a fixed capacitive electrode attached to the substrate, and a movable component positioned above the substrate and movable with respect to the fixed actuation electrode and the fixed capacitive electrode. The movable component can include a movable actuation electrode positioned above the fixed actuation electrode and a movable capacitive electrode positioned above the fixed capacitive electrode. At least a portion of the movable capacitive electrode can be spaced apart from the fixed capacitive electrode by a first gap, and the movable actuation electrode can be spaced apart from the fixed actuation electrode by a second gap that is larger than the first gap.

Systems, devices, and methods for micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) tunable capacitors can include a fixed actuation electrode attached to a substrate, a fixed capacitive electrode attached to the substrate, and a movable component positioned above the substrate and movable with respect to the fixed actuation electrode and the fixed capacitive electrode. The movable component can include a movable actuation electrode positioned above the fixed actuation electrode and a movable capacitive electrode positioned above the fixed capacitive electrode. At least a portion of the movable capacitive electrode can be spaced apart from the fixed capacitive electrode by a first gap, and the movable actuation electrode can be spaced apart from the fixed actuation electrode by a second gap that is larger than the first gap.

A ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body, an inner electrode, an outer electrode, and a connecting portion. The inner electrode is disposed inside the ceramic body. The end portion of the inner electrode extends to a surface of the ceramic body. The outer electrode is disposed on the surface of the ceramic body so as to cover the end portion of the inner electrode. The outer electrode includes a resin and a metal. The connecting portion is disposed so as to extend from an inside of the outer electrode to an inside of the ceramic body. In a portion of the surface of the ceramic body on which the outer electrode is disposed, the length of the connecting portion that extends in a direction in which the inner electrode is extends about 2.4 μm or more.

A manufacturing method of a capacitor structure includes the following steps. A first capacitor is formed on a substrate. The first capacitor includes a first electrically conductive pattern and a second electrically conductive pattern of a first electrically conductive layer and a first dielectric layer disposed therebetween in a horizontal direction. A second capacitor is formed on the substrate before forming the first capacitor. The second capacitor includes a third electrically conductive pattern and a fourth electrically conductive pattern of a second electrically conductive layer and a second dielectric layer disposed therebetween in the horizontal direction. A thickness of the second electrically conductive layer is monitored. A target value of a thickness of the first electrically conductive layer is controlled in accordance with a value of a monitored thickness of the second electrically conductive layer.

Methods and apparatuses for use in tuning reactance are described. Open loop and closed loop control for tuning of reactances are also described. Tunable inductors and/or tunable capacitors may be used in filters, resonant circuits, matching networks, and phase shifters. Ability to control inductance and/or capacitance in a circuit leads to flexibility in operation of the circuit, since the circuit may be tuned to operate under a range of different operating frequencies.

Methods and apparatuses for use in tuning reactance are described. Open loop and closed loop control for tuning of reactances are also described. Tunable inductors and/or tunable capacitors may be used in filters, resonant circuits, matching networks, and phase shifters. Ability to control inductance and/or capacitance in a circuit leads to flexibility in operation of the circuit, since the circuit may be tuned to operate under a range of different operating frequencies.