Kyocera Launches 2.4 GHz Band Chip Balance Filter and 5 GHz Band Chip Balun.

KYOTO, Japan -- Two industry's smallest class-size* electronic components for short-range wireless communications 

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) today announced the development of the industry's smallest class-size 2.4 GHz band chip balance filter and 5 GHz band chip balun. The two electronic components are used for short-range wireless communications, which is becoming increasingly prevalent, such as wireless LAN and Bluetooth(TM).

Short-range wireless communications such as wireless LAN and Bluetooth have already found practical applications, with components mounted on personal computers and peripherals. These components are expected to be mounted on a broader array of products in the future, including mobile phones, home electric appliances and automobiles. These devices will need to be highly portable, yet contain an increasing number of parts to perform multiple functions. This creates strong demand for the further miniaturization of their components.

In reply to these market needs, Kyocera has successfully developed a "balun" and a "balance filter" for wireless communications of superior quality. The balun is essential to two-way conversion between balanced and unbalanced circuits. The balance filter is a combination of a balun with a band pass filter which allows only necessary signals to pass through. These components have been developed by applying Kyocera's proprietary ceramic material technology and circuit design techniques, and have the smallest class dimensions in the industry to satisfy market demand for miniaturization.

Kyocera will continue to introduce new unique products designed for wireless LAN and Bluetooth applications, which are expected to grow in the future.

Product Highlights

1. Industry's smallest class size

(Balance filter) Dimensions: 2.0 x 1.25 x 0.85 mm

(Balun) Dimensions: 1.6 x 0.8 x 0.6 mm

Using high dielectric, high-Q materials based on its ceramic material technology and its proprietary high frequency circuit design, Kyocera has achieved the smallest class dimensions in the industry for these two new products. Kyocera has successfully managed to nearly halve the mounting areas for today's mainstream balance filters (2.5 x 2.0 mm) and baluns (2.0 x 1.25 mm), which will thus enable downsizing of the devices.

2. Low insertion loss and high attenuation characteristics

(Balance filter) Insertion loss: 2.3 dB (max.) / Attenuation characteristics: 30 dB (min.) in 1720-1910 MHz 

(Balun) Insertion loss: 1.2 dB (max.)

In developing the balance filter, Kyocera started by revising the circuit configuration. Adopting its own circuit and optimizing the resonator circuitry, Kyocera has achieved low insertion loss and high attenuation characteristics. This means that the new balance filter produces a performance comparable to that of the current mainstream model, although the new one has smaller size of 2.0 x 1.25 mm than the existing one of 2.5 x 2.0 mm.

For the balun, the original coil design pattern has been revised to achieve low insertion loss.

3. Other Features

--Electrical characteristics guaranteed across a broad range of temperatures, from -40 to +85 degrees C, thanks to stable temperature characteristics of ceramic materials.

--High reliability assured when mounted on substrates through the use of ceramic materials with linear expansion coefficients closer to those of commonly used glass epoxy substrates.

--Environmentally friendly products, in compliance with green procurement standards, etc. (also in compliance with the lead-free requirement and the RoHS Directive)

Both products will be produced in volume starting October 2004 in one million unit quantities per month in Kyocera's Kagoshima Kokubu plant, one of Kyocera's largest facilities for electronic components in Japan. AVX Corporation will market them in North America and Kyocera Electronic Devices LLC, a new wholly-owned subsidiary of AVX Corporation, will work closely with customers' product engineers to help better design their products.

About Kyocera Corporation

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO), parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining engineered ceramic materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera Corporation has become a leading supplier of electronic components, solar energy systems, telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, cameras, laser printers, copiers and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2004, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$11 billion (1,140,814 million yen) with net income of approximately US$655 million (68,086 million yen). For more information, please visit http://global.kyocera.com.

About AVX Corporation

AVX Corporation (NYSE:AVX), headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a leading international supplier of a broad line of electronic passive components and related products with worldwide manufacturing facilities. AVX offers integrated passive devices including capacitors, resistors, filters, SMT, timing devices and circuit protection devices. Kyocera Corporation owns approximately 70% of AVX's outstanding common shares. For more information, please visit www.avx.com.

About Kyocera Electronic Devices LLC

Kyocera Electronic Devices (KED) is a new, wholly-owned subsidiary of AVX Corporation. KED will focus exclusively on the design, marketing, and sales of electronic components supplied from AVX's majority stockholder, Kyocera Corporation. KED also handles Kyocera Elco Corporation's electronic connectors as well as various crystal products of Kyocera Kinseki Corporation newly established in April 2004 as a result of Kyocera's reorganizing its crystal components related business with Kinseki, Ltd. KED field application engineers will work with customers' design engineers to overcome their challenges with products that require extensive design-in collaboration.

*As of August 2004

*Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.