Murata Electronics Introduces Industry's First SMD Piezoelectric Buzzer for the Automotive Market
SMYRNA, Ga.--March 24, 2003--Murata Electronics (www.murata-northamerica.com), the world-leading innovator in electronics and the largest global supplier of ceramic passive components, today introduced the first Surface Mount Device (SMD) piezoelectric buzzer for use in automotive applications (-40 to +85C).
Already a leader in the automotive electronic components market for ceramic resonators with over 80 percent market share, Murata's new miniaturized, (12.0 x 12.0 x 3.0mm) lead-free buzzer enhances the company's extensive automotive product line.
Due to Murata's success in creating tight total tolerance ceramic resonators for Automotive Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus products that replace higher cost and more fragile quartz crystal resonators, the company designed the new buzzer based on the same advanced ceramic technology.
Automakers can utilize the buzzer in several automotive electronic applications including instrument cluster, push button audible feedback for memory seat module, electronic HVAC systems, and two-way Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), and other general audio feedback responses.
The buzzer will complement Murata's existing automotive product suite, including the CSTCR, CSTCE and CSTCV series of ceramic resonators for CAN-BUS and other automotive applications that utilize micro controllers.
"Historically Piezo buzzers have had limited use in the automotive electronics market due to their large size, narrow temperature range and limited thermal cycling ability," said Peter Tiller, Group Product Manager for Piezo and Sensors for Murata Electronics North America. "However, by utilizing Murata's proprietary ceramic technology and automotive design leadership, we developed a lead-free termination buzzer that can not only withstand the automotive temperature range and cycling, but one that can also fit into a low profile package to meet size requirements."
Aside from the small size that allows greater placement flexibility, the advanced buzzer has other numerous benefits that meet automakers' needs. For instance, this advanced buzzer is designed to survive 500 thermal cycles in the -40 to +85C temperature range. Due to the thermal nature of the automotive environment, automotive electronic makers typically require such performance.
Further, through the use of piezo technology, the buzzer provides low power consumption at a level substantially lower than its electromechanical counterpart.
Additionally, since the product is not based upon magnetic or inductive technology, Electronic Magnetic Interference (EMI) is eradicated. With the increase of electrical systems in cars, this EMI suppression is a top concern of automakers since any disturbance can cause undesirable noise in the various systems or buses.
In addition, the buzzer's SMD form factor combined with tape and reel supply allow for productivity throughput gains in volume production. This surpasses conventional leaded parts since hand placement is not needed.
The Piezo Buzzer, Global Part Number PKLCS1212E40A1-R1 is available for 45 cents (direct and in volume) and the current lead-time is 10 weeks.
About Murata Electronics North America
Murata Electronics North America, Inc. (www.murata-northamerica.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.