What is SAW Filter : Top Manufacturers for RF Systems

A SAW filter is a radio frequency filtering component that uses Surface Acoustic Wave technology to selectively pass desired frequencies while suppressing unwanted signals. SAW filters are widely used in smartphones, wireless infrastructure, IoT devices, GPS receivers, and communication systems requiring compact and efficient filtering solutions. The popular manufacturers include TAI-SAW, Qualcomm, API, Golledge Electronics, Oscilent, Amplitronix LLC, Vectron, Filtronetics, Microsaw, SAWTRON, etc.

Usually, SAW filters operate from 600 MHz to 2 GHz frequency range in mobile environments. Based on IF (Intermediate Frequency) and RF (Radio Frequency) filtering, there are two types: IF SAW filters and RF SAW filters. SAW is the short form of Surface Acoustic Wave.

There are various types of SAW filters based on construction viz. IIDT, DMS, and ladder.

SAW Filter Selection Guide

Following are the technical specifications of SAW filters to be considered while buying one for your needs:

• RF filter or IF filter
• RF Center frequency
• Bandwidth
• Pass Band Ripple (dB)
• Power handling capability
• Insertion Loss in pass band (dB)
• Package type and dimension

The SAW filter has the following advantages or benefits:

• It allows electro-acoustic coupling via the transducer.
• Its velocity is $10^5$ times less than EM wave (Electromagnetic wave). This is the major difference between SAW and EM waves. Due to this, SAW filters are used where EM wave based filter designs are impractical to be developed.
• SAW filters are cheaper compared to BAW (Bulk Acoustic Wave) filters.
• SAW filters are easy to fabricate due to easy access to their structure from the above surface of the filter.

SAW Filter Manufacturers

The following table lists RF SAW filter Manufacturers or vendors with part numbers and technical features.

RF SAW filter Manufacturers	Description
TAI-SAW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.	IF SAW filters and RF SAW filters are available for various applications including GPS, LTE, remote control, pager, and other wireless communications. Website: TAI-SAW E-mail: claireliu@mail.taisaw.com
Qualcomm	Part number: B39781B7940P810 Qualcomm has collaborated with TDK corporation to develop SAW technology-based devices. Website: Qualcomm
Golledge Electronics	GSIF series (IF SAW filters from 30 MHz to 1 GHz) GSRF series (RF SAW filters from 100 MHz to 2.7 GHz) E-mail: sales@golledge.com
API Technologies	There are different types of SAW filters in frequency range from 20MHz to 2600MHz. Website: API Technologies
Oscilent	IF SAW filter and RF SAW filter and other frequency control devices are manufactured at a production facility. They are used in radio and wireless equipment and multimedia devices. Website: Oscilent E-mail: sales@oscilent.com
Amplitronix LLC	IF and RF SAW filters Website: Amplitronix LLC E-mail:
Vectron International	SAW-based IF, RF, Multi-Band Filter Solutions for frequency range from 30 MHz to 2.7 GHz are available. Website: Vectron E-mail:
Filtronetics, Inc.	RF/IF filters from 21.4MHz to 2GHz frequency range. Website: Filtronetics E-mail: filtro@filtro.net
Microsaw	Website: Microsaw E-mail: sales@microsaw.fi
SAWTRON	The company undertakes custom IF/RF SAW filter development work as per requirements. Website: SAWTRON

Summary

A SAW filter uses acoustic wave technology to improve signal quality by filtering unwanted frequencies. Leading manufacturers develop SAW filters for wireless communication, GPS, LTE, and 5G applications.