Keeping Pace with the Increase in 5G Communication Adoption... Samsung Electro-Mechanics Develops MLCC for 5G Base Stations

MLCC for 5G base stations developed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics. (Photo by Samsung Electro-Mechanics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 23rd that it has developed a high-capacity, high-voltage multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) for 5G communication base stations. As the adoption of 5G communication increases in the future, the 5G base station market is expected to expand, leading to a rise in demand for related MLCCs.

5G communication uses high-frequency bands to process large volumes of data at ultra-high speeds, and due to its high-frequency characteristics, many base stations are required. Compared to 4G LTE, 5G communication base stations have an increased number of transmit and receive antennas and components, as well as higher power consumption and heat generation. Therefore, MLCCs installed in 5G communication base stations must have high capacity to minimize component area and ensure stable power supply. Additionally, due to the base stations' use of high operating voltages to reduce power loss, high-voltage products are necessary, and high reliability is required to operate normally under environmental changes such as temperature and humidity.

The MLCC developed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics this time is a product that implements a high capacity of 10uF (microfarads) and a high rated voltage of 100V (the maximum voltage it can withstand without damage) in a 3225 size (3.2mm width, 2.5mm length). It can replace 2 to 3 low-capacity MLCCs, thereby reducing the component mounting area. Furthermore, with a 100V rated voltage, reliability has been enhanced so that the MLCC operates normally even under environmental changes such as external shocks, vibrations, temperature, and humidity. In particular, Samsung Electro-Mechanics explained that the bending strength, which indicates the product's ability to operate normally even when the substrate with the MLCC mounted is bent due to mechanical or thermal shocks, is guaranteed at 3mm, the highest level in the industry.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics plans to supply this product to global communication equipment customers starting next month.

Kim Dooyoung, Vice President and Head of the Component Business Division at Samsung Electro-Mechanics, said, "With the commercialization of 5G communication technology, demand for base station equipment is increasing, and the demand for high-performance and high-reliability MLCCs is also rising significantly. Samsung Electro-Mechanics will enhance technological competitiveness by developing and manufacturing core raw materials for MLCCs in-house, maintain a leading position in the market through internalizing facilities and strengthening production capacity, and contribute to customers' success."

Samsung Electro-Mechanics plans to respond to the expanding demand for related MLCCs following the growth trend of the 5G base station market. According to global market research firms, the 5G communication base station market is expected to account for 85% of the total market by 2025, reaching approximately 35 trillion KRW. Since 5G communication using high frequencies has a shorter coverage area than 4G LTE, the number of base stations must increase significantly, and the number of MLCCs used per 5G base station is about 20,000, four times that of 4G LTE. Therefore, the demand for MLCCs for base stations is expected to grow rapidly.