Murata develops 0.25 × 0.125 mm NTC thermistor for compact rlectronics
Murata Manufacturing has developed what it describes as the world’s smallest* 008004-inch NTC thermistor, measuring just 0.25 mm × 0.125 mm. The new NCU01 series is designed for temperature sensing in space-constrained electronic devices, including smartphones, wearable devices and densely integrated modules.
Compared with Murata’s previous smallest 01005-inch NTC thermistor, measuring 0.4 mm × 0.2 mm, the NCU01 series reduces the mounting area by approximately 60% while maintaining equivalent temperature-sensing performance.
The NCU01 offers a resistance tolerance of ±1% and B-constant tolerance of ±1%, helping provide consistent temperature measurement despite its miniature dimensions.
Its ultra-compact footprint allows temperature sensors to be positioned closer to heat-generating components. This can help reduce the difference between the measured temperature and the actual temperature of the monitored component, while also improving the response to rapid temperature changes.
Murata plans to begin sample shipments in October 2026, with mass production scheduled to start during 2027. The initial lineup will include 100 kΩ and 10 kΩ resistance values, with additional variants planned progressively.
Bringing temperature sensing closer to heat sources
As electronic devices become smaller and more sophisticated, component density inside circuit boards and modules continues to increase. This leaves less space for discrete components and can make it difficult to position an NTC thermistor close to a heat-generating device.
When a thermistor is located further from the heat source, the temperature it measures can differ from the actual component temperature. A greater distance can also introduce a delay in detecting rapid temperature changes.
Smaller NTC thermistors can help overcome these limitations by allowing designers to position temperature sensing closer to critical components without taking up additional board space.
However, miniaturising thermistors creates manufacturing challenges. Maintaining consistent electrical characteristics at smaller dimensions requires precise material processing, component fabrication and manufacturing control. Tight resistance and B-constant tolerances are particularly important for reliable temperature sensing.
Precision temperature sensing in an 008004-inch package
Murata has developed the NCU01 series using its ceramic materials technology, high-precision processing and optimisation of the component structure and manufacturing process.
Despite its 008004-inch dimensions, the NCU01 maintains the ±1% resistance and ±1% B-constant tolerances offered by Murata’s previous 01005-inch product.
The approximately 60% reduction in mounting area allows the NCU01 to be installed in locations that may be difficult to accommodate with larger thermistors, including positions closer to heat-generating components.
This can help reduce measurement errors and detection delays caused by greater distances between the temperature sensor and heat source, while supporting thermal management in high-density electronic designs.
Target applications include temperature monitoring on circuit boards in smartphones and wearable devices, as well as temperature sensing within integrated-circuit (IC) packages and system-in-package (SiP) modules.
