Products & Markets

Radio Frequency (RF) Inductor

The demand for smaller and thinner device components has been increasing in recent years, as the function of small mobile devices including smartphones has become more sophisticated. To cater for this kind of demand, Murata has been developing the world’s smallest 008004 (0.25 x 0.125mm) size chip inductors.

Increasing Needs for Miniaturization of Electronic Components

The market of mobile devices, typified by smartphones and tablet computers, has been expanding considerably in recent years. These devices are becoming increasingly more multifunctional and functionally more sophisticated in order to accommodate the demand of services, such as faster, higher-resolution games, photos, video, and music, and becoming an integral part of our life.

Projected Demand for RF Inductors by Size (Projection by Murata)

The increased multifunctionality and sophistication of these devices, as well as the multibanding of the radio frequencies they use entail increasing the number of installed components. On the other hand, the limited space of mobile devices has been demanding further miniaturization of installed components. Presently, in RF inductors^*1, the market has changed its focus from 0402 size products (1.0 x 0.5mm) to 0201 size products (0.6 x 0.3mm). Moreover, some high-end models have now started to adopt more 01005 size products (0.4 x 0.2mm) .

Murata LQP Series

The lifecycle of electronic component size between generations has been about five years. The cycle has tendency to be extended as the miniaturization of devices advances, but sooner or later, the 01005 size products will be replaced by the 008004 size products.

External Appearance of the 008004 Size Chip Inductor Prototype

Murata’s Unique Thick-film Micro-Fabrication Technology Crystallized in the 008004 Size Chip Inductor

Murata has further developed its unique thick-film micro-fabrication process, a fusion of thick film paste and photolithography technology, establishing a technology that can form finer electrode wiring patterns than ever before. Using this technology, Murata has developed the world’s smallest 008004 size (0.25 x 0.125mm) RF inductors, achieving a 75% reduction in volume from 01005 size (0.4 x 0.2mm) products. The product was on exhibition in CEATEC JAPAN 2013. Presently, we have been preparing for practical application.

Exhibition at CEATEC JAPAN 2013

Formation of Electrode Patterns by the Thick-Film Micro-Fabrication Process

Glossary

*1 Inductor:

Inductors, together with capacitors and resistors, make up basic components of electronic circuits. They are also called coils. Their major applications may be divided into two fields: signal processing and power supply lines. RF inductors are a type of inductors for signal processing, and in particular, they are those used in RF circuits. They are primarily used for frequency matching or as filtering devices in circuits that transmit electrical signals. Inductors for power supply lines are used in power supply circuits for semiconductors, to suppress noise and smooth out the power supply.

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