Murata Develops World's Smallest SAW Filter
Ideal For Mobile Phone Market, Miniaturized Component Without Cavity Provides Excellent Performance and Semiconductor Mounting

Smyrna, GA, June 5, 2007 - Murata Electronics North America, a world-leading innovator in electronics and the largest global supplier of ceramic passive components, today introduced the world’s smallest Boundary Elastic Surface Acoustic Wave filter measuring only 0.8 x 0.6 x .365 millimeters (mm). This represents a 75 percent decrease in volume and 66 percent reduction in area compared to other filters, making it ideal for the mobile phone market. By adopting the Boundary Acoustic Wave (BAW) as the reproducing wave, Murata’s advanced, planar-type component does not need a cavity and achieves the same high tolerance capabilities as traditional filters while guarantying the identical thermal-shock tolerance of semiconductors. In addition, Murata’s new SAFAM series utilizes Ball Grid Arra Ry (BGA) terminations for mounting on integrated circuits (ICs), while current filters can only offer mounting on the printed circuit board, outside the semiconductor.

“Murata’s capacity to anticipate the needs of the mobile phone market led to the research and development of this cutting edge filter which provides excellent performance and reliability without a bulky structure,” said Scott Klettke, Group Product Manager for Murata Electronics North America. “The SAFAM series allows designers to bypass more complex and problematic options to downsizing modules, such as the Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator (FBAR).”

By reducing the footprint and weight without compromising operational abilities, the filter allows manufacturers to supply consumers with less expensive, high quality mutliband phones. With cell phones typically containing seven or more radios that include 12 SAW filters and three SAW duplexers, the decrease in size and the capability to integrate directly to the IC is an important benefit. Another positive of attaching the filter directly to the semiconductor is that it gives more performance control to the IC maker.

Sample prices of the SAFAM series are available for $0.50. Lead time is approximately 12 to 14 weeks. Additional information is available online

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