By the progress of automotive electronics, a variety of electronics components are mounted directly on the engine compartment and the inverter system, which controls the electric motor in a hybrid vehicle, is also located in the engine compartment, where its components have to withstand the high temperatures. Murata has worked diligently on capacitors for power electronics by going back to ceramic material development. As a result, these capacitors can handle high current even under high-temperature conditions. Murata's competitive advantage begins with the materials we use.

Regulations in the United States require the installation of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System in cars. A pressure sensor installed in each tire communicates wirelessly with the dashboard monitor. Murata also offers sensors that help detect objects during parking and reversing maneuvers. Here, our flat beam technology has allowed us to reduce sensor size and improve efficiency. We have combined sensor technology with communication technology to make vehicles even more sensitive and attentive.

With the increasing public awareness of the need for vehicles to be environmentally compatible, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology is the focus of attention in many parts of the world. Here, Murata works on developing lithium ion secondary batteries for HEV to replace conventional nickel-hydrogen batteries. The anode of a lithium ion secondary battery is made of ceramic material and provides yet another application for Murata's material technology. Small and high-output lithium ion secondary batteries are expected to contribute to weight savings and performance improvement in hybrid vehicles. This will, in turn, help preserve the global environment.

CAN-BUS is one of the onboard LAN interface standards to accommodate automotive electronics that is advancing in complexity and functionality. It reduces the number of wire harnesses, which tend to increase with automotive electronics, increases data transmission speed, accommodates the diagnostic system, and interconnects the power-train and body control units. A key device for CAN-BUS is tight tolerance ceramic resonators. Murata has developed CERALOCK® for this application, characterized in that superior temperature stability and fast start-up time.