How much do global LTCC companies know, Japanese companies lead the way, Followed by Europe and the United States, and China is 10 years behind
Foreign manufacturers have invested in the LTCC field for a long time, and developed countries such as the United States, Japan and Germany have entered the stage of industrialization, serialization and material design, and have great advantages in product quality, patented technology, material and equipment control and specification standard dominance. The global LTCC industry concentration is high, and the top 9 manufacturers occupy nearly 90% of the market share. Among them, Japanese manufacturers occupy a leading position in the global LTCC industry market and technology, occupying about 60% of the global market share. Today we will talk about the well-known LTCC manufacturers at home and abroad.
Japan
Murata
Murata, Japan is one of the world's leading manufacturers of electronic components, Murata Manufacturing has produced and sold a staggering number of electronic components for ceramics, and is widely used in computers, televisions, mobile phones, automobiles, medical and other industries.
LTCC antenna switching module
LTCC is a strong product for Murata, which is also Apple's largest supplier in this space. Murata's LTCC is unique in that it uses a "zero shrinkage sintering process" that limits ceramic shrinkage to the Z direction (thickness). The actual dimensions of the ceramic in the X and y directions remain unchanged. Even for large plate (8"x8") production, the process ensures excellent dimensional accuracy and surface glossiness. Murata's Zero Shrinkage LTCC has excellent electrical properties due to its low dielectric ceramic material and low impedance silver conductor. Its material is lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), certified lead-free and environmentally friendly, with good acid and alkali resistance, suitable for simple plating. Murata's LTCC substrates are widely used in the automotive industry to make controller modules highly reliable, and are also used in the RF industry for small, high-density module substrates.
Kyocera
Kyocera has a range of LTCC (low temperature sintered ceramics) products with different characteristics, and can choose the right material according to different applications. For example, in the case of RF modules for mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, Kyocera has achieved miniaturization and thinning of modules by embedding components such as Band-PassFilters and baluns mounted on substrates. In terms of materials, Kyocera also offers a variety of high-quality options.
Functionality embedded in the structure of the LTCC package
Kyocera's LTCCHard:GL330 has the same flexural strength (400MPa) as an alumina multilayer substrate. It has strong resistance to falling (falling impact) and is a material that is very suitable for module substrates for mobile electronic equipment. If the original LTCC is replaced by LTCCHard, the thickness of the substrate can be reduced by about 30% due to the doubling of the bending strength.
TDK
TDK is the world's first manufacturer of integrated electronic components that successfully productize ferrite cores, a ferrite-based magnetic component. Its products are widely used in information, communications, household appliances and consumer electronics, such as mobile phones, notebook computers, DVD/HDD recorders, flat panel displays, automobiles and their navigation systems.
TDK offers a broad product line of high-frequency products and modules for smartphones, mobile devices such as mobile phones, wireless devices such as in-vehicle and base stations, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless LANs. In wireless devices, the frequency used for communication between devices is fixed. The filter has the function of extracting only the necessary frequency signal and removing the unnecessary frequency signal. Filters using low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) have a variety of frequency types, shape sizes, terminal structures, specification values, and more.
The biggest advantage of TDK's LTCC products is that they can keep the size of the filter small.
Solar enticing
In 1950, based on the successful commercialization of barium titanate ceramic capacitors, Sun-Induced Electric Co., Ltd. was born. In the more than 50 years that have passed, solar power has grown with the development of the telecommunications products market. Today, it has become a leader in capacitors, inductors, circuit modules and optical storage media such as CD-R and DVD-R. The main products of solar induced electricity are RF components, wireless modules, baluns, EMI suppression components, inductors, ceramic capacitors, etc. Its LTCC products are used in Bluetooth, antennas and wireless devices.
KOA
KOALTCC uses the Ag conductor material with small conductor resistance as a wiring layout, and forms it in one piece (simultaneously calcined) in a multi-layer structure within the ceramic. As a result, it is possible to make a multilayer circuit board with excellent electrical characteristics and high dimensional accuracy due to the loss of conductor resistance components. In addition, since the resistor body and transmission line can be formed in one body in the surface and inner layers in a multi-layer structure, it is conducive to miniaturization. In addition, the coefficient of thermal expansion is similar to that of silicone, so it is conducive to the placement of bare chips, and the low back of the circuit board can be realized by mounting in the cavity.
KOALTCC substrate application products
Yokowo
With low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) at its core, Yokowo provides LTCC substrates for high-density cabling and is compatible with compact, low backplane, and RF devices. In the field of semiconductor test equipment, it is necessary to increase the size of the substrate, while in the field of LED packaging, high heat dissipation, high brightness and high durability are required. Yokowo utilizes state-of-the-art LTCC processing technology and 3DRF design technology to provide customers with products that precisely meet their needs. In addition, based on its advanced LTCC processing technology, Yokowo has successfully developed a mediating layer substrate that plays a vital role in the detector. Yokowo, together with its vertical miniature precision probes, will respond to the complex needs of the semiconductor wafer space.
Special pottery in Japan
Japan Special Ceramics Co., Ltd. (NGKSPARKPLUGCO., LTD.) was founded on October 26, 1936, the business content is mainly: spark plugs and internal combustion engine related products manufacturing, sales; new ceramics and its application products manufacturing, sales, etc., special ceramics LTCC application scenarios include mobile terminal antenna module, base station antenna module.
Mitsubishi Electric, Japan
Mitsubishi Electric is one of the world's leading brands in the manufacture and sale of electrical and electronic products and systems, and its products and systems are widely used in many fields and applications.
Mitsubishi incorporates peripheral circuit functions into the LTCC board, using a delay circuit with low loss characteristics and a multilayer structure, followed by pseudo-waveguides, pseudo-coaxials, phase-shift circuits, matching circuits, resonance suppression circuits, and frequency band buses. After studying the filter circuit, it is added to the LTCC one by one. Developed a process for simultaneously forming resistors, high dielectric materials, and magnetic materials in LTCC substrates, it has been applied to mass production. In addition, it supports BGA (Ball Grid Arav) installation and lead-free solder installation for the installation of equipment, which is required by environmental regulations.
United States
The United States is a global LTCC power, with a number of LTCC global well-known enterprises, including the United States CTS company, etc., the production technology is leading the world.
Mini-Circuits
Mini-Circuits is the world's leading manufacturer of RF microwave components, Mini-Circuits is a global leader specializing in the development and production of RF, intermediate frequency and microwave signal processor devices. The product frequency band covers DC-40GHz, which is widely used in the development of Wimax, CATV, mobile communications, RFID, medical equipment, test instruments, receivers and other projects. Mini-Circuits has more than 10,000 products in 25 standardized product lines and constantly updated customized devices, making it the world's largest supplier of signal processor devices.
BFCG-1952+LTCC band-pass filter, 16800-21000MHz, 50Ω
With a wide range of low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters available, Mini-Circuits is a leader in the band-pass filter space, and Mini-Circuits expands the selection of low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) band-pass filters to meet your needs with four new models from the BFCN family. These new models are available in a small 1206 ceramic package with wrap-around terminations, saving board space and minimizing parasitics. They offer excellent reliability over the operating temperature range of -55 to +100°C and excellent performance repeatability.
On December 23, 2020, Mini-Circuits received a new patent for a novel integrated LTCC packaging technology that provides a low-cost solution for millimeter wave surface mount components operating at frequencies of 60 GHz or higher. This new packaging technology supports both lead bonding and flip chip assembly methods, giving chipmakers and system designers the option to mass-produce mmWave components and systems without compromising electrical performance or cost. This technology will allow Mini-Circuits to continuously expand its own MMIC product line, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the mmWave range.
CTScorp
CTScorp CTS - Founded in 1896, CTS is the first manufacturer after Bell invented the telephone, a high-tech multinational conglomerate with more than 400 patents listed in the United States in the 60s. The business body includes EMS Division, Communication Division, Mechanical and Electrical Parts Division, Automotive Electronic Parts Industry, etc., and its products are widely used in automobiles, communication equipment, computers, game consoles, mobile phones and aviation. The company has factories all over the world and has branches in Tianjin, Zhongshan and Shanghai in the mainland.
In addition, avx and ATC, well-known LTCC manufacturers in the United States, have been acquired by Kyocera in recent years, which shows the strong strength of Kyocera in the ltccc field.
Europe
Bosch
Bosch is an electronic engineering multinational corporation headquartered in Gerlingen, Germany, founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch. As of December 31, 2020, it employs approximately 395,000 people worldwide. The company's sales in 2020 were 71.5 billion euros. Its business is divided into four business segments: Mobile Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology.
Bosch's LTCC products account for about 8% of the global market share. As early as 2016, the sales of its LTCC series products reached 2 billion yuan.
C-MAC
C-MAC is a world-renowned leading independent provider of complex, highly reliable electronic equipment and system components. C-MAC has two plants specializing in the production of substrates using LTCC low-temperature co-firing ceramic technology. Offering zero shrinkage products during the manufacturing process, C-MAC's low-temperature co-fired ceramics provide the ability to bury components between tape layers, providing minimal lead length and further reducing circuit geometry.
APITech
APITech's LTCC is an alternative glass-ceramic multilayer substrate medium that combines conventional thick film material metal systems to provide a rugged, cost-competitive substrate that can integrate embedded passive components as well as more advanced devices such as flip-chip and lead-bonded bare chips. Cavities can be configured in LTCC substrates to provide lead bonding connections with controlled impedance and highly reliable packaging solutions. In addition, APITech demonstrates power management up to 60 GHz capabilities and tens of watts of power with LTCC-based technology, and provides guidance for the implementation of the most appropriate substrate and component technologies.
THALES
THALES, founded in 1879, is a professional electronic high-tech company that designs, develops and produces aviation, defense and information technology service products, and is also the largest defense mechatronic technology company in France. With tens of thousands of cutting-edge technology developers, Thales is at the forefront of technology and has unrivalled capabilities in the development and deployment of critical information systems in Europe.
MST
The MST Group is active around the world and is comprised of four technology companies, including LTCC substrates and MicroSystems Engineering (MSE), a production site for advanced assembly and semiconductor packaging processes.
Since 1984, MSE has been committed to providing customers with advanced microelectronic solutions. The company is a leading European supplier of sophisticated LTCC (Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics) substrates, advanced circuit board assembly and semiconductor packaging technology.
Korea
Samsung motor
Founded in 1973, Samsung Electric has grown globally to develop and produce core electronic components. Since the 21st century, we have been focusing on the development of strategic technologies and business synergies based on core technologies such as materials, multilayer film molding, and high-frequency circuit design, and have focused on cultivating businesses such as chip components, camera modules, and communication modules. Samsung Motor's passive devices include MLCC, tantalum capacitors, chip resistors, chip inductors, chip beads, crystal oscillators, LTCCs, etc.
LGInnotek
LGInnotek is a cutting-edge manufacturer of materials and components and a subsidiary of the LG Group. The company's business units include mobile devices, automotive supplements, semiconductors and core components of the Internet of Things. In addition, the company also works closely with mobile devices, home appliances and automotive companies to produce camera modules, automotive electronic components, wireless communication modules, substrate materials.
LGInnotek offers high-density, extremely thin and reduced size LTCC substrates.
China
China's LTCC production enterprises are mainly concentrated in Taiwan, including Guoju Shares, Huaxin, Qilixin, Jingde and so on. Mainland LTCC industry is relatively backward, after 2003 rapid development, in 2003 Shenzhen CSG Electronics (2008 was acquired by Shunluo Electronics) took the lead in the introduction of LTCC production line, the current mainland has established dozens of LTCC production lines, the initial formation of industrial scale, the main LTCC manufacturers for Shunluo Electronics, Maijie Technology, Zhenhuafu and Fenghua Hi-Tech, the products are mainly stacked inductors and other components.
In contrast, the overall research and development of domestic LTCC lags behind foreign developed countries by nearly 10 years, and at present, China has formed a strong mass production capacity in the field of low-temperature co-burning ferrites and laminated chip inductors, and has occupied a certain global market share. However, it is still heavily dependent on imports in terms of equipment and raw materials, and the research and development and production of LTCC high-end products are also significantly lagging behind.
Jingde Electronics
AcX (3152-TW, Taiwan) was founded in 1998 and has rapidly grown to become the preferred supplier of RF front-end equipment and modules. AcX currently has the ability to produce a variety of RF front-end devices and modules using LTCC technology, and offers an internal LTCC tape system that is compatible with DuPont and Ferro tape systems.
Huaxin Technology
Since its establishment in 1992, Huaxinke (2492-TW, Taiwan) has rapidly grown into a listed company in Taiwan by making good use of the strategic alliance of the industrial value chain in just 10 years, and the number of employees in the world has reached 7,000; 8 major production bases are located in the Asia-Pacific region, mass-producing high-quality products, and serving world-class corporate customers through the supply and warehousing network of more than 50 regional large distributors around the world. The product line includes multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCC), LTCC, chip resistors (Chip-R), rf components (RFComponents), RF antennas, disc capacitors (DISC), zinc oxide varistors, inductors (Inductors) and chip fuses (ChipFuse), with an impressive product share, which can be called the largest component supplier in the two shores and three regions. Huaxinke's current monthly production capacity of LTCC is about 270-300 million units.
Chilli New
Founded in 1972, Qilixin (2456-TW, Taiwan) has deep R&D technology and marketing experience, and develops its own powder technology, and is one of the few inductor suppliers that can manufacture its own cores. In recent years, through strengthening independent research and development, establishing an automated production process to improve efficiency and taking merger and acquisition actions, the scale has gradually grown, through the vertical and horizontal integration of powders, magnetic cores, and production processes, not only in the data center, mobile device, consumer electronics, communication systems and other markets have won the recognition of many global players, and with high quality and high performance and other product characteristics to lock in high-end automotive electronics and industrial applications.
Guoju Electronics
Founded in 1977, Guoju Corporation (2327-TW, Taiwan) is the world's leading passive component service provider, with production and sales bases in Asia, Europe and the Americas, which can supply complete passive components such as resistors, capacitors and wireless components to meet the needs of customers in various fields of application.
Today, GUOSO is the world's largest manufacturer of chip resistors (R-Chip), the largest manufacturer of tantalumcapacitors, and the third largest supplier of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), with 47 marketing/service locations, 40 production bases and 20 R&D centers worldwide.
WiFi/Bluetooth/Zigbee with LTCC ceramic filters
GUOJU can provide LTCC integrated components such as scales, filters, balancing filters, dual and triple couplers that can integrate multiple discrete circuits.
In addition to the above four enterprises, Taiwan also has LTCC product manufacturers such as Dafang Electronics, Taiwan Information and Communications Transportation Equipment Co., Ltd. and Taiwan Linyu Microwave Technology Co., Ltd.
Shunluo Electronics(002138)
Shenzhen Shunluo Electronics Co., Ltd. was established in 2000, listed in 2007 (code: 002138), is a professional engaged in various types of chip electronic components research and development, production and sales of high-tech enterprises. Products include magnetic devices, microwave devices, sensitive devices, precision ceramics four major industries, widely used in communications, consumer electronics, computers, automotive electronics, new energy, Netcom and industrial electronics and other fields.
In 2008, Shunluo Electronics acquired all the equity of CSG Electronics (later renamed "Shenzhen Shunluo Technology"), which introduced the LTCC process while strengthening the competitiveness of the main inductor business and promoting the expansion of product categories. At present, Shunluo Electronics LTCC products include laminated chip LC filters and laminated chip Bluetooth antennas, which are mainly used for terminal electronic products other than mobile phones, and the current revenue contribution is small. Under the background of 5G commercialization, a significant increase in the use of BASE STATION RF components, and domestic substitution, it is expected to usher in huge development opportunities.
Maijie Technology (300319)
Shenzhen Maijie Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Maijie Technology") was established in March 2001 and listed on the Growth Enterprise Market on May 23, 2012. The company's main business is the research and development, production and sales of chip power inductors, filters and chip LTCC RF components and other new chip passive electronic components and LCD display module devices, and provide technical support services and components for downstream customers. The company's leading products belong to high-end passive electronic components, and their design and manufacturing have high precision. Products are widely used in communications, consumer electronics, military electronics, computers, Internet application products, LED lighting, automotive electronics, industrial equipment and other fields.
Its LTCC RF devices mainly include GPS antenna modules, laminated chip balun filters, laminated chip antennas, laminated chip microwave bandpass filters, laminated chip impedance converters, and laminated chip couplers.
Jiali Electronics (BDStar 002151)
Jiali Electronics Co., Ltd. was established in December 1995, specializing in microwave medium ceramic components and satellite navigation antennas, modules, Bluetooth module research and development, production and sales, products are widely used in the field of radio frequency, microwave communications, mainly to achieve radio frequency, microwave signal reception, processing and transmission and other functions, for Jiali for the BDStar (stock code: 002151) subsidiary. The company has an annual output of more than 1,000 tons of microwave dielectric ceramic material preparation capacity, as well as an annual output of 200 million microwave dielectric ceramic components and an annual output of 1 billion LTCC components, 10 million satellite navigation antennas and 6 million navigation and Bluetooth module production capacity.
Jiali Electronics is a microwave dielectric ceramic materials, microwave components, antennas, modules and the whole machine industry chain integrators, as well as a small number of domestic enterprises with independent intellectual property rights of low-temperature co-firing ceramic (LTCC) material preparation technology and large-scale production of enterprises, its technical achievements "low-temperature co-firing sheet multilayer microwave ceramic micro frequency device industrialization key technology" won the second prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award.
LTCC coupler products
Jiali Electronics' LTCC products mainly include LTCC antennas, LTCC filters, LTCC duplexers, LTCC baluns, LTCC balun filters, LTCC power splitters, etc.
Fenghua Hi-Tech (000636)
Founded in 1984, Guangdong Fenghua Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. (securities referred to as Fenghua Hi-Tech, stock code 000636) is a high-tech enterprise specializing in high-end new components, electronic materials, electronic special equipment and other electronic information basic products, listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1996. Since entering the electronic components industry, Fenghua Hi-Tech has achieved leapfrog development, and has now become a large-scale domestic scientific research, production and export base for new components and electronic information basic products, and an internationally renowned internationally renowned new electronic components industry company with independent intellectual property rights and key technologies of core products.
LTCC RF filter
LTCC product list
Shenzhen Zhenhuafu Electronics Co., Ltd
Founded in 2001, Shenzhen Zhenhuafu Electronics Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise, specializing in the scientific research and production of magnetic components, microwave components, sensitive components, electronic modules and functional components, the main products include a full range of chip inductors, magnetic beads, LTCC filters, power filters, transformers, etc., the products are widely used in communications, consumer electronics, automotive electronics, computers, medical equipment and other fields.
Multilayer chip low-pass filter
In addition to the above enterprises, Sanhuan Group (300408), Shenglu Communications (002446), Luxshare Precision (002475) and other enterprises also have the layout of entering the LTCCC industry.
In addition, 10, 14, 29, 38, 43 and 55 Institutes of China Electronics, 214 of China's Ordnance Institutes and 23, 504 and 539 of China Aerospace are also engaged in the research and development and production of LTCC device modules.