Murata introduces CSTS ceramic resonator for USB applications

Smyrna, GA, April 17, 2000 – Murata Electronics North America, a world-leading innovator in electronics, today announced the introduction of the CSTS series ceramic resonator which will save board space and pick and place costs for Universal Serial Bus (USB) applications, one of the resonator's many applications. A universal peripheral connection specification for the PC, USB is expected to succeed traditional and serial parallel port connectors.

The main application benefit for the CSTS resonator is specifically for USB functions because it can meet the +/- 0.25% total frequency tolerance required by the USB specification. A passive device, the CSTS resonator is used with a clock circuit to set the speed of an IC. It performs the same function as a quartz crystal, but is a lower cost, smaller and more durable alternative. For USB applications, the CSTS resonator is used with the microcontroller that controls the data transmission from the peripheral to the PC.

The new CSTS series has replaced the CSA/CST series between 2.00MHz and 10.00MHz, as it is easier to produce and has higher capacity to meet current and potential growth in demand. Significant benefits also include less cost, reduced size, washability under specified temperatures, shorter standard lead length and round leads for improved cut and clench performance. In addition, the new CSTS offers better temperature and aging characteristics, and has internal load capacitors.

"Having internal load capacitors is an important benefit because the large demand for capacitors and the resulting allocation programs have made external capacitors difficult to come by," said Justin Hopper, Product Engineer for Murata Electronics North America. "The CSTS can also replace some crystals, which will make the design engineer's job easier, especially when combined with our IC characterization service, in which we recommend the resonator hook-up circuit for our customers."

Prices are approximately $0.09 (per 100,000 pcs.), compared to the $0.12 for the CST series, which varies based on frequency. Standard frequencies include 2.00MHz, 3.58MHz, 4.00MHz, 4.19MHz, 6.00MHz, 8.00MHz, and 10.00MHz. Nonstandard frequencies are available upon request.