This section provides an overview for saw filters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 saw filter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked saw filter companies as of November, 2024: 1.Epson Europe Electronics GmbH, 2.Token Electronics Industry Co., Ltd., 3.Spectrum Control.
Table of Contents
A SAW (surface acoustic wave) filter is a device designed to selectively pass or block electrical signals at specific frequencies. It utilizes mechanical vibrations of surface acoustic waves on a piezoelectric element to achieve steep frequency selectivity. These waves, traveling across the surface of the medium, rapidly attenuate as they move deeper, enabling precise filtering.
Electrical signals input into a SAW filter are converted into mechanical vibrations by the piezoelectric element, which then selectively filters and outputs the desired frequency back as an electrical signal.
SAW filters are commonly found in duplexers for wireless communication devices like smartphones, TV tuners, and wireless LANs. Their low loss, excellent cutoff characteristics, affordability, and compact, thin profiles make them essential for mobile device functionality. As mobile devices use an increasing number of communication frequency bands, SAW filters play a crucial role in band selection and wireless communication technology.
SAW filters operate by converting high-frequency electrical signals into mechanical vibrations across a piezoelectric substrate with comb-shaped electrodes. These vibrations, resonating through the electrodes, generate surface waves that propagate back to detection electrodes, where they're converted back into electrical signals. The filter's performance is influenced by the piezoelectric material's properties and the electrode structure, as the propagation speed of surface waves varies with the material used.
The SAW filter market is expanding to meet the increasing demands of smartphone transmission capabilities, with innovations in carrier aggregation and MIMO technologies. The need for filters in FDD modulation schemes, which transmit and receive simultaneously, is growing, especially for high-end models requiring global availability. Japanese manufacturers are notably prominent in the SAW filter market.
While SAW filters utilize surface acoustic waves on piezoelectric substrates, BAW (bulk acoustic wave) filters operate differently, employing either FBAR (film bulk acoustic resonators) or SMR (solidly mounted resonators) principles. SAW filters are cost-effective for frequencies up to 2 GHz, whereas BAW filters, more complex and expensive, offer higher Q and sharper filter characteristics for higher frequency bands.
In the 5G era, especially for the 3-6 GHz band, BAW filters become crucial due to their ability to handle steep and high Q-value filter characteristics required for coexistence with WiFi and addressing increased losses at higher frequencies. U.S. manufacturers like Broadcom and Qorvo lead in the BAW filter market.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
Spectrum Control serves several markets including the wireless communication, military communication, aerospace, and high temperature industrial markets. Among the individual components Spectrum Control manufactures and develops are EMI filters; subsystems for signal conditioning and RF distribution; components including power dividers, limiters, filters, amplifiers, diode drivers, and rotary joints; as well secure communications solutions and rugged devices.
Qorvo, established in 2015, is a semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, that specializes in providing RF (Radio Frequency) solutions. Their range of product offerings includes RF chips, modules, amplifiers, discrete transistors, and integrated circuits, designed to enable wireless communication, enhance defense systems, support automotive applications, facilitate aerospace operations, and enable connectivity in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector. Qorvo is certified with ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management.
Bliley Technologies Inc., originally founded as the Bliley Piezo-Electric Company in 1930 in the USA, is a manufacturer of quartz crystals and components for the communications industry. The company's core product-line includes performance oscillators, atomic clocks, space oscillators, transducers, and filters and multiplexers. Bliley Technologies Inc. offers a wide range of solutions for customized production for clients that include integrated RF embedded boards for assured PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) and high-vibration and G-sensitivity OCXO oscillator solutions for low phase noise connectivity components in extreme shock and acceleration environments.
Abracon LLC, founded in 1992 with headquarters in the USA, is an ISO 9001:2015 manufacturer of precision electronic components for the aerospace, defense, security, medical, and transport markets worldwide. The company's core products include RADAR and LIDAR systems, radio communications, datalinks, aircraft computing, and head-up displays. Transportation products include crystals, oscillators, antennas, and inductors for transportation applications in harsh environments. Abracon LLC's medical solutions include hospital beds, bedside patient monitors, MRIs, and surgery-assisted robotics.
Transko Electronics Inc., established in 1982 in New Taipei City, Taiwan, is a manufacturer and supplier of quality electronic components and transformers. The company's main products include transformers, inductors, coils, and chokes used in a wide range of applications, such as power supplies, telecommunications, industrial equipment, and consumer electronics. Transko's components play a crucial role in ensuring good power management and signal integrity in various electronic devices. With a motive for excellence and continuous innovation, Transko aims to provide good solutions to its customers and meet the ever-evolving demands of the electronics field.
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.
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.
Epson Europe Electronics GmbH has been a manufacturer and supplier of electronic devices and components since 1989 and is based in Munich, Germany. The company's product portfolio includes quartz crystal devices, semiconductor devices, and sensing systems. The quartz crystals which are also known as timing devices are further subcategorized into crystal units, Oscillators, and real-time clock modules. The semiconductors have sues as Microcontroller, Display controllers, and for small network connecting, whereas the sensing systems provide solutions for accuracy, noise control, power consumption, and stability. These products have uses in Automotives, Industrial networking and healthcare, fitness, and energy control solutions.
TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD. was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo is a manufacturer of electronic components. The company offers a diverse product catalog including conductive polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors, noise suppression components, and multilayer ceramic capacitors. These products have applications in telecommunication, automotive, and medical equipment. In 2023, the company announced that it had started mass production of three items in two sizes, including the multilayer metal power inductor.
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.
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.
Token Electronics Industry Co., Ltd., established in Taiwan in 1983, is a manufacturer of electronic components and automatic production systems for commercial and industrial clients worldwide. The company produces a wide range of resistors, inductors, light sensors, microwave components, and RF components. Token Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. offers its clients a complete custom design, testing, and manufacturing service. The company's main export markets include Africa, Asia, Oceania, LATAM, and North America.
Walsin Technology Corporation (also known as WTC and Passive Component), founded in 1970 and incorporated as Walsin Technology Corporation in 1992 with facilities in Taiwan and China, is a manufacturer of passive components. The company's products include MLCC, Chip-R, RF, DISC, varistors (VZ, VH, and SR series), and inductor parts used in the mobile communications, networking, automotive, green energy, and IoT industries, among others. Walsin Technology Corp.’s products are REACH-certified, and the company holds ISO 9001, IATF 16949, IECQ HSPM certifications, and an Authorized Economic Operator Certification.
Kyocera Corporation was incorporated in 1946 in Kyoto, Japan as Kyoto Ceramics, but the name was later shortened to Kyocera. Kyocera is a multinational manufacturer and distributor of consumer products as well as industrial components including ceramic and electronic components used in the semiconductor, wireless communications, electronics, and wireless communications markets. Kyocera’s consumer products line includes smartphones and kitchenware such as ceramic knives, cookware, and drinkware. Ceramics are used in semiconductors, solar photovoltaic modules, as well as cutting tools. Kyocera’s electronics cameras, LCDs, medical products, and more.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Epson Europe Electronics GmbH |
10.2%
|
2 | Token Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. |
8.3%
|
3 | Spectrum Control |
7.7%
|
4 | KYOCERA Corporation |
7.6%
|
5 | Abundance Enterprise Company |
7.6%
|
6 | Walsin Technology Corporation |
7.0%
|
7 | Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc. |
6.9%
|
8 | Bliley Technologies Inc. |
6.9%
|
9 | ECS Inc. |
6.7%
|
10 | Abracon |
6.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the saw filter page as of November 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
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 6 | 46.2% |
Japan | 4 | 30.8% |
Taiwan | 2 | 15.4% |
Germany | 1 | 7.7% |