First HF filter using XBAR targets for 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and 6G
Murata Manufacturing is mass-producing and shipping what it claims is the first high-frequency filter utilising XBAR technology.
The high-frequency filter was developed by combining proprietary Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filter expertise developed by Murata with XBAR technology from its subsidiary, Resonant Inc. The unique combination enables the extraction of desired signals while achieving both low insertion loss and high attenuation. These features are critical for the latest wireless technologies, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, and emerging 6G technologies.
The demand for reliable high-frequency communications continues to grow in response to the widespread deployment of 5G and the future development of 6G. Simultaneously, wireless local-area network (WLAN) standards, such as Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, are expanding into higher frequency domains to accommodate ultra-fast data rates. Filters used in these applications must address key challenges, such as preventing out-of-band interference, maximising system battery performance, and meeting strict space limitations. Traditional approaches using Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) or conventional Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) filters often fall short in these performance areas.
The new XBAR-based filter addresses these limitations by achieving high attenuation performance while maintaining a wide bandwidth and low signal loss. The XBAR structure itself excites bulk acoustic waves using comb-shaped electrodes and a piezoelectric single-crystal thin film, enabling performance that is beyond the capabilities of conventional filter structures. It effectively removes high-frequency interference, even in bands above 3 GHz, enabling improved signal detection and higher performance, which is essential for high-speed, high-capacity, and high-quality wireless communication.
Key performance parameters include a passband of 5150 to 7125 MHz, a typical insertion loss of 2.2 dB, and a typical return loss of 17 dB. Typical attenuation figures are 11 dB at 4800 to 5000 MHz, 28 dB at 3300 to 4800 MHz, 27 dB at 7737 to 8237 MHz, and 26 dB at 10300 to 14250 MHz.
The new filter is designed for devices with embedded wireless functionality, including smartphones, wearables, notebook PCs, and communication gateways, providing an optimal balance of performance and cost efficiency.
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