A thermistor measures temperature near heat-producing components in electronic devices and helps detect temperature changes.
Murata Manufacturing has developed the NCU01 series, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor measuring 0.25mm × 0.125mm, making it the world’s smallest in the 008004-inch size category, according to the company. The component reduces mounting area by approximately 60% compared with Murata’s previous smallest 01005-inch thermistor, measuring 0.4mm × 0.2mm, while maintaining resistance and B-constant tolerances of ±1%.
The smaller footprint allows the thermistor to be positioned closer to heat-generating components in compact electronic devices, helping reduce temperature measurement differences and delays in detecting rapid temperature changes. Applications include temperature monitoring in smartphones, wearable devices, integrated circuit (IC) packages, and system-in-package (SiP) modules.
Murata plans to begin sample shipments in October 2026, followed by mass production in 2027. The initial lineup will include 100kΩ and 10kΩ resistance values, with additional variants to be introduced progressively.
As electronic devices become more compact, circuit boards and modules accommodate increasingly dense component layouts, leaving less space for temperature sensors. When an NTC thermistor is positioned farther from a heat-generating component, its readings may differ from the component’s actual temperature, and rapid temperature changes may take longer to detect. Smaller thermistors can help address these limitations by enabling temperature measurement closer to critical components without occupying additional board space.
Developing thermistors at smaller sizes while maintaining consistent sensing characteristics presents manufacturing challenges. Resistance and B-constant tolerances are important for accurate and stable temperature measurement. Murata addressed these challenges using its ceramic materials technology, high-precision processing, and optimisation of the component structure and manufacturing process.
Despite its reduced size, the NCU01 series maintains the ±1% resistance and B-constant tolerances of the company’s previous 01005-inch product. Its smaller mounting area allows placement in restricted spaces and closer to heat sources, supporting temperature monitoring in electronic devices with high component density.
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