Taiyo Yuden speakers offer 0.7mm thickness

Taiyo Yuden (U.S.A.) Inc. has developed the MLS series of multilayer ceramic piezoelectric speakers for 3G cellphones, MPEG players, laptops, digital cameras, PDAs and other high-end portable electronics.

With a 74dB sound output, the MLS series' piezoelectric technology eliminates the magnet that all standard dynamic speakers require for operation. This factor, combined with the company's material science and multilayer fabrication expertise, allows the devices to be manufactured to a standard thickness of 0.7mm. As one of the world's thinnest speaker, the MLS is compact enough for installation in confined spaces down to 1mm.

The structural design of the MLS speaker incorporates a recently developed piezoelectric material utilizing Taiyo Yuden's low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology and multilayer fabrication techniques. The resulting lineup of speakers offers sound quality and pressure levels matching those of dynamic speakers. The MLS is also 30 to 50 percent lighter and consumes up to 50 percent less power.

Unlike dynamic speakers that need internal space to amplify sound output, the acoustic design of the MLS relies only on its own output power to maintain sound pressure levels and quality.

Offered with a thickness of 0.7mm, the speakers are available in diameters of 20-, 23, and 25mm with weights of 0.44-, 0.54- and 0.63gm, respectively.