Murata Launches Tight Frequency Tolerance Ceramic Resonators
SMYRNA, Ga.--Aug. 20, 2001--Murata Electronics North America (www.murata.com), a world-leading innovator in electronics, today announced the improvement of the ceramic resonator series for Controller Area Networks (CAN) BUS applications used by the automotive industry. Murata has significantly improved the total tolerance capability of several popular ceramic resonator series.
The low-cost CSTCR, CSTCE, and CSTCV series are the only ceramic resonators that meet the total frequency tolerance of +/- 0.3% (tight tolerance version of the existing CSTCR and CSTCV will be available by the end of 2001). The newly introduced CSTCE ceramic resonator is also one of the world's smallest resonators (1.3 x 3.2mm), covering the frequency range of 8.00MHz to 12.5MHz.
The CSTCR resonator, introduced late last year, is also the world's smallest resonator (4.5 x 2.0mm) for the frequency range of 4.00MHz to 7.99MHz.
In addition to the design attributes, Murata's resonators are unparalleled in quality. This is demonstrated by a recent shipment of over 28 million continuous non-defective ceramic resonators to the Visteon Corporation, a major supplier of integrated automotive systems.
In a letter to Murata, Keith Seamands, STA-Quality Engineer for Visteon, commends Murata by stating, "This excellent Quality tells me that everyone at all levels of Murata is doing an excellent job."
"The intelligent design and unrivaled quality found in Murata's ceramic resonators for CAN-BUS operations embodies our dedication to exceed customer expectations," said Tom Cho, Piezoelectric Product Manager for Murata Electronics North America. "Visteon's praise of Murata's flawless resonators confirms this commitment."
Aside from strict manufacturing standards and exceptional total tolerance capabilities, the products also provide the automotive design engineer with cost-cutting benefits. Murata's ceramic resonators are used as smaller, more robust replacements for expensive quartz crystals.
Ceramic resonators are commonly found in automotive applications such as airbags, power train and Anti-lock Break System (ABS) modules.
The improved total frequency tolerance capability was designed by Murata to fulfill the needs of the expanding automotive electronics business. While cell phones and other wireless consumer products are slowing in sales, the automotive industry is continually looking to upgrade car features that rely heavily on high-tech electronics.
Murata is already the market leader in ceramic resonators for high reliability applications such as automotive. The introduction of such tight tolerance resonators allows Murata to sustain its industry leading position as this market moves toward full adaptation of CAN-BUS in most vehicles.
Previously only higher cost quartz crystal resonators were considered for CAN-BUS due to the frequency tolerance issue. Murata's tight tolerance resonators frees the design engineers from having to use these higher cost components and still achieve desired performance and reliability targets.
The tight tolerance versions of the CSTCR (4.00 to 7.99MHz), CSTCE (8.00 to 12.50 MHz) and CSTCV (14.70 to 70.00 MHz) are currently available from Murata as samples. Further information can be found at www.murata.com/resonators.