Murata Electronics Announces Advanced Piezoelectric Surface Mount Sounder; Smaller Ceramic Sounder Replaces More Expensive and Current-Hungry Electromechanical SMD Sounders

    SMYRNA, Ga.--Oct. 23, 2001--Murata Electronics North America (www.murata.com), a world-leading innovator in electronics, today announced the introduction of their newest piezoelectric surface mount sounder (PKLCS1212E4001-R1). Taking advantage of extensive acoustic and mechanical design technology and high performance ceramics, Murata has developed an inexpensive, SMD sounder that conserves currents and suits the thin, high-density design of electronic equipment. Even with its smaller size, the previous sound pressure level (SPL) rating of Murata's larger SMD sounder (PKMC16E-4000-T0) can be maintained in the miniaturized package.
    The smaller sounder (12mm x 12mm x 3mm) is an ideal replacement for more expensive electromechanical sounders that often have substantial current draw requirements. Piezoelectric based sounders are used as low current drain audible devices (1/15 of electromechanical sounders) for many applications where small size, SMD mounting and low current consumption is preferred or required. These applications include Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Automatic Toll Collection units and most handheld, battery operated devices such as Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) receivers.
    Aside from being miniaturized, Murata's new sounder has several additional features including gold flash electrodes for optional conductive glue mounting, re-flow soldering and lead-free construction. The new sounder is also available in tape and reel packaging for automatic placement -- as opposed to the older and less convenient plastic tray delivery system. Further, this surface mount sounder is now standard for Murata's authorized distributors and is ideal for low and high volume production.
    "Murata engineered the SMD sounder to be smaller and thinner to meet customer requirements in the volume handheld products market," said Peter Tiller, Group Product Manager for Murata Electronics North America. "This smaller and thinner trend will continue throughout the electronics industry -- which is why Murata is continually developing products with desirable size characteristics."
    In many handheld applications, the sounder is driven directly by a Complimentary-Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) based Integrated Circuit (IC). If the sounder is an electromechanical type, additional external components such as a transistor, diode, resistor and capacitor may be required. SMD piezoelectric sounders have an advantage over electromechanical sounders because they do not need additional external components when driven by a CMOS IC. This can offer designers additional opportunities for space saving and cost reduction, potentially in PDA or other handheld applications.
    Murata's price for the PKLCS1212E4001-R1 series is $0.98 (sample price) with current stock of 12 weeks.

    About Murata Electronics North America

    Murata Electronics North America, Inc. (www.murata.com) is one of 47 wholly-owned subsidiaries of the worldwide organization of Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. of Japan (NIKKEI:6981). Established in 1965, U.S. operations are headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia, with a manufacturing facility in State College, Pennsylvania. Murata is a leading patent holder and global manufacturer of ceramic electronic components for the telecommunications, computer/peripheral, automotive, communications and EDP markets.