9 SAW (Surface Accoustic Wave) Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for saws (surface accoustic waves) as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 saw (surface accoustic wave) manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked saw (surface accoustic wave) companies as of April, 2024: 1.KLA Corporation., 2.eGalax_eMPIA Technology Inc., 3.ECS Inc..
Table of Contents
What Is SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave)
Figure 1. The basic structure of IDT (SAW element) transmitter
SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) is an elastic wave that propagates only in the vicinity of a piezoelectric material surface.
The nature of the propagation of elastic waves near a solid surface, one of which is a gas, a liquid, a vacuum, or another solid material, is different from that of infinitely expanding (bulk) solids, liquids, or gases. In particular, when the solid substrate material is a piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric effect (piezoelectric effect) generates a surface acoustic wave (SAW) that propagates near the surface in a specific direction when subjected to strain.
The propagation speed of a SAW is about 1 to 5 km/s, about 1/100,000th of the speed of electromagnetic waves, making it possible to miniaturize the circuit.
Principle of SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave)
When piezoelectric material is sandwiched between two electrodes and strain is applied between the electrodes, a voltage is generated (piezoelectric effect), and vice versa (reverse piezoelectric effect).
When a high-frequency voltage is applied between the two electrodes, the IDT generates high-frequency surface acoustic waves and functions as a SAW transmitter.
If an extremely high-frequency voltage is applied, an ultrasonic SAW can also be generated. Conversely, when the IDT receives an SAW, a high-frequency voltage is generated in the IDT, which functions as an SAW receiver. By adjusting the number and shape of the combs, the substrate material, and its thickness, it is possible to generate and receive SAW with various characteristics.
By transmitting and receiving SAWs at the transmitter and receiver, the frequency of the SAW can be modulated by sensing the properties of the substrate between the transmitter and receiver or by placing specific films or elements on the substrate. This property is the reason why SAW is used in a variety of applications.
Applications of SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave)
The range of applications for SAWs is expanding significantly. Some examples are shown below:
1. Application to Electronic Components
SAW filters are widely used in cell phones, radio receivers, TV receivers, digital receivers, etc.
2. Micro Manipulation of Liquids and Droplets
Microfluidic pumps can be created by placing microfluidic droplets on a substrate and taking advantage of the fact that SAW can be transferred to the fluid on the substrate and accelerate the fluid due to large inertial forces. On the substrate, the SAW is a transverse wave, and when it enters the droplet, it becomes a longitudinal wave and creates a vortex, which causes a mixing effect of the fluid droplets. Using SAW as a driving mechanism, droplets are pushed toward two or more outlets for sorting. It is also used to size and split droplets.
3. Flow Sensor
Multiple IDTs (transmitters and receivers) are placed outside the liquid flow pipe, usually non-wetted. SAWs generated by one transmitter propagate into the liquid at a specific angle, producing both forward and reverse received waves as they pass through the liquid. The time difference between the emitted and received waves, which pass through the liquid one to several times, correlates to the flow velocity. By comparing and calculating the time difference between the outgoing and incoming waves, the flow rate and other parameters can be measured.
4. Application to Gas Sensors
Figure 2. Configuration of the gas sensor using the SAW element
As shown in Figure 2, a thin film sensitive to gas molecules is formed between two IDTs on a substrate. The SAW frequency, amplitude, and other characteristics of the SAW when gas molecules are adsorbed on the thin film can be used to determine the amount of gas adsorbed. The type of gas can be identified by the material of the thin film. In the case of hydrogen, Pd or Pd-Ni alloy is used.
5. Application to Touch Panels
Ultra-super SAW touch panels detect the position of the display when touched by a finger using the attenuation of the ultra-super SAW.
Two IDTs placed at the four corners of the glass substrate emit SAW waves that are transmitted as vibrations to the surface of the panel and received by the two IDTs on the opposite side. When a finger touches the screen, the super cardioid surface elastic wave attenuates, and the position on the touch panel can be identified by detecting the amplitude change in the receiver device.
6. Application to Improve Radiation Resistance of Computers
Figure 3. Example application in a computer (L1 cache)
As shown in Figure 3, 5 x 5 SAW elements are placed on the L1 cache memory (about 256kB) for high-speed data exchange with the CPU of a computer. The location of the occurrence of a phenomenon that inverts the memory data when charged particles are injected into a radiation environment such as outer space (soft error), can be calculated from the time difference in the arrival of the shock wave signals to the 25 SAW elements. 7.
7. Application to Quantum Computers
To realize a practical quantum computer, it is necessary to integrate qubits (the smallest unit of quantum information) to a high degree of integration. When a time-varying high-frequency voltage is applied to a specially structured comb-shaped electrode "chirped IDT," a surface acoustic wave with a wide bandwidth is generated.
By placing a single electron on a SAW isolated pulse formed by superimposing in-phase surface acoustic waves and canceling out unwanted waves, a quantum bit can be transferred.
Other Information on SAW (Surface Acoustic wave)
About Piezoelectric Materials
Piezoelectric materials, which can be used for both sensor and actuator functions, are broadly classified into piezoelectric single crystals, piezoelectric thin films, and piezoelectric ceramics. Single crystals are characterized by low propagation loss and can be used over a wide frequency range. In particular, only single crystals are used for high-frequency materials.
When piezoelectric single-crystal materials were first developed, quartz, lithium niobate (LiNbO3: LN) single-crystals, and lithium tantalate (LiTaO3: LT) were used. Currently, the development of compound single crystals with perovskite-type crystal structures characteristic of transition metal compounds consisting of ternary systems, such as zinc/lead niobate/lead titanate solid solution (PZNT) and magnesium/lead niobate/lead titanate solid solution (PMZT), is underway.
Piezoelectric ceramics have advantages in that they can produce SAW with large amplitude, can be easily mass-produced, and are relatively stable because they are oxides; PZT and BaTiO3 are examples.
To prevent elastic waves from leaking onto the substrate and damaging the SAW characteristics, piezoelectric materials are being made thinner. For example, this can be achieved by forming a thin film of piezoelectric single-crystal material on top of a layer with high sound velocity. Piezoelectric thin film materials include ZnO, AIN / ScAIN, KNN, and PLA.
List of 9 SAW (Surface Accoustic Wave) Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Canada
- Japan
- Taiwan
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KLA Corporation.
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)
Manufacturer Overview
Front Edge Technology is a supplier and manufacturer of advanced electronic components and solutions based in United States. Established in 1985, the company specializes in the design, development, and production of custom electronic products for various industries. the company offers a range of products, including embedded systems, wireless communication modules, power management solutions, and sensor devices. They cater to sectors such as automotive, healthcare, industrial automation, and consumer electronics. One sample product is the "FET-6000 Series" wireless communication module. This module provides dependable and efficient wireless connectivity for IoT (Internet of Things) applications, enabling seamless data transfer and communication between devices.
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COMSOL, Inc.
Surface Acoustic Wave Gas Sensor
Manufacturer Overview
COMSOL Inc., is a developer and manufacturer of simulation and modeling software that was established in 1998 as the US subsidiary of the Swedish COMSOL Group. Based in Burlington, MA, the company primarily offers its Multiphysics branded software platform, which can create, edit, and simulate multiphysics models via programming environments or a graphical interface (GUI). It also provides more than thirty different addons for Multiphysics, including fluid dynamics, acoustics, and structural dynamics modules. COMSOL, Inc. products are used in the industrial and technology sectors, including in facility design, research, and optimization processes.
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ECS Inc.
SAW
Company Overview
ECS is a designer and manufacturer of frequency control connectivity, synchronization, and timing solutions, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, USA. The products are power inductors, Quartz Crystal oscillators, resonators, real-time clocks, and filters. Crystal products include surface mount crystals, through-hole crystals, tuning forks, and crystal units with integrated thermistors. The company serves consumer products, medical applications, automotive electronics, wearable technologies, and power generation fields. The company won the International Award 2022 Global Distributor of the Year and the Largest Customent Count Growth Award.
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Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
SAW Filter
Manufacturer Overview
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc., established in 1959, and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of semiconductors and electronic components. The company specializes in producing integrated circuits, discrete semiconductors, optoelectronic devices, which caters to industries such as telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics. The company holds ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certifications, ensuring quality in their products which are used for various applications, including wireless communication, automotive systems, and industrial automation, providing crucial electronic components for advanced technologies in various industrial and commercial sectors.
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eGalax_eMPIA Technology Inc.
Surface Acoustic Wave
Manufacturer Overview
eGalax_eMPIA Technology Inc., established in 2002 in Taipei, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of technological solutions such as projected capacitive, surface acoustic wave, resistive products that are used in marine, Industrial, Hospitality, Automotive, and military sectors. The company’s software is compatible with system operations like Windows Embedded, Chrome, and Linux. It also offers touch technologies such as PCBA, IC, sensor design, and algorithms represented by astronomical names. Besides being ISO-9001 certified, the company is listed on the Taipei Exchange market.
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Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
SAW Components
Manufacturer Overview
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Murata Manufacturing) was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Nagaokakyo, Japan. Murata Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and sells ceramic-based passive electronic components and solutions globally. The company operates through components, modules, and others segments, serving communications, mobility, industrial, healthcare, and personal electronics customers. They company's product offerings include noise suppression products, quartz devices,RFID devices, phase shifters, and wireless connectivity platforms. Services such as webinars and video library are also available for existing and potential customers alike.
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TAI-SAW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
SAW
Manufacturer Overview
Tai-Saw Technology Co., Ltd. established in 1997 and based in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, is a manufacturer and distributor of great-performance communication components. The company's product lineup includes SAW (surface acoustic wave) devices, BAW (Bulk Acoustic Wave) devices, and modules like Xtal,VCO, and VCTCXO. These products are essential for enhancing the efficiency and performance of communication systems. Serving industries such as appliances, electrical, and electronics manufacturing, it ensures the delivery of quality frequency products. The company offers design services, manufacturing of frequency components, and processing development.
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A D METRO INC.
SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE (SAW)
Company Overview
A D METRO INC., founded in 1993 in Ontario, Canada, is a manufacturer and supplier of touchscreen solutions that help reduce costs and simplify product development for military, marine, retail, transportation, and medical industries. The company’s product catalog includes resistive, projected capacitive, infrared optical, and surface acoustic waves solutions. The products are used in control panels, kiosks, and mobile computing systems. It also offers services such as material sourcing and manufacturing preparation, Integration consulting, Prototyping, and analysis and design.
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Microchip Technology Inc
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Oscillators Products
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SAW (Surface Accoustic Wave) Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KLA Corporation. |
25.6%
|
| 2 | eGalax_eMPIA Technology Inc. |
15.4%
|
| 3 | ECS Inc. |
15.4%
|
| 4 | Microchip Technology Inc |
10.3%
|
| 5 | A D METRO INC. |
7.7%
|
| 6 | TAI-SAW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
7.7%
|
| 7 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
7.7%
|
| 8 | COMSOL, Inc. |
5.1%
|
| 9 | Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc. |
5.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the saw (surface accoustic wave) page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 77,581
- Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.: 2,164
Newly Established Company
- eGalax_eMPIA Technology Inc.: 2002 (22 years ago)
- TAI-SAW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.: 1997 (27 years ago)
- A D METRO INC.: 1993 (31 years ago)
Company with a History
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 1944 (80 years ago)
- Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.: 1959 (65 years ago)
- COMSOL, Inc.: 1986 (38 years ago)
SAW (Surface Accoustic Wave) Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of SAW (Surface Accoustic Wave) Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
3 | 37.5% |
Japan
|
2 | 25.0% |
Taiwan
|
2 | 25.0% |
Canada
|
1 | 12.5% |
