Murata’s solution “Noise evaluation technology”
Strongly support automotive EMC measures
Using the state-of-the-art facilities and a wealth of know-how

Fig-1. Murata’s noise suppression products for automotive (click to enlarge)

As the number of electronic products installed in vehicles increases, noise-related problems could become a bigger issue. Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. strongly supports automotive engineers facing noise problems. Not only does the company provide electronic parts indispensable to noise suppression, but also actively offers technologies against in-vehicle EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) to raise the level of customer satisfaction.

Fig-2. Noise suppression technology R&D
(click to enlarge)

Murata provides customers with various in-vehicle noise suppression products, including capacitors and noise suppression filters, etc. (See Fig-1) In addition, the R&D division focuses on anti-noise technology. “Our research started in the early 1980s when the noise suppression became widely recognized among the engineers working in electronic equipment design. I think that Murata is a pioneer in this field.” (Mr. Takahiro Azuma, Chief of 2nd development section of merchandise development group, EMI business division, Component business head office, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) (See Fig-2)

Murata's early effort in this area reflects its policy to seek customer satisfaction (CS). We tried to contribute to the reduction of time-to-market period of assembled product manufacturers as much by supporting their anti-noise measures. The company also focuses on upgrading the skills of their ‘anti-noise’ engineers. Every year, several employees obtain a certification from NARTE (National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers, Inc.) in the United States.

Support manufacturers of in-vehicle equipment, automobile and IC respectively

Mr. Takahiro Azuma
Chief of 2nd development section of merchandise development group, EMI business division, Component business head office, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. NARTE certified EMC engineer

Murata supports not only their major customer, in-vehicle equipment manufacturers, but also auto makers and IC manufacturers. Firstly for in-vehicle equipment manufacturers, Murata mainly offers specific anti-noise measures. They intend to offer their know-how in various areas, including identifying the cause of noise and proposing new ideas in using noise suppression components. “Since we have dealt with anti-noise measures not just of in-vehicle equipments, but of various products including consumer appliances and cell phones, we have experiences in a wide range of frequencies, from low to high such as GHz band. Know-how derived from such rich experiences is our strength.” (Mr. Azuma)

Secondly for auto makers, Murata supports their noise-related simulations at the stage of design. “In order to execute simulation of electromagnetic immunity and transmission waveform in a system, you need information of electronic components comprising the system. Murata has simulation models and S-parameters for major noise suppression components.” (Mr. Azuma) Finally, for IC manufacturers, Murata offers a support for measurement of noise radiation characteristics and noise immunity characteristics of IC. “By feeding back various data relating to noise quickly to customers, we are serving customers so as to improve noise characteristics of IC as much.” (Mr. Azuma)

Murata is actively engaged in activities of the auto industry associations. For example, the company cooperates with JasPar (Japan Automotive Software Platform and Architecture) to establish specifications of FlexRay^®.

Most advanced anechoic chamber is available

Fig-3. The newest anechoic chamber built in the Kyoto headoffice

Murata’s services are supported by state-of-the-art facilities as well, in-house technologies and know-how. The company has three anechoic chambers in Yokohama, Kyoto and Fukui. These chambers are indispensable in noise characteristics evaluation and test. Completed in 2007, the newest, multi-purpose radio anechoic chamber which is capable of testing in-vehicle equipments.is located within the R&D building of the Kyoto head office. (See Fig-3)

For automotive electronics, Murata can conduct the following measurement and tests: radiated emission and noise terminal voltage, compliant with CISPR Pub25 (150 kHz—2 GHz), BCI test, DPI test and induced noise test. We also have excellent facilities to evaluate immunity. Murata is actively introducing facilities to evaluate the mutual interference between electronic and wireless devices to meet the expected future increase of wireless in-vehicle equipment.

The more electronic equipment is installed in cars, the higher level of noise reduction technology that will be required. In view of this trend, Murata intends to reinforce the development of noise evaluation technology for in-vehicle equipment. “As the number of in-vehicle electronic devices increase, an EMC solution becomes more complex. So we would like to offer EMC solutions that are simple and rational as much as possible, thus contributing to the effective noise countermeasures.” (Mr. Azuma).

* FlexRay^® is the trademark of Daimler AG.