The Type 2AB From Murata Manufacturing Co. - ultra-compact 5G module for crowded boards

Reviewed: ad hoc news New Release & Launch desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-30, 04:11. Details in the imprint.

The Type 2AB from Murata Manufacturing is one of those components you never see once the device is closed, yet it quietly does the heavy lifting. Picture a crowded industrial control board where every millimeter counts, and a single metal-shielded module handles cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and satellite positioning without complaint.

What the Type 2AB actually is

The Type 2AB is an ultra-compact wireless communication module designed for 5G Sub-6 GHz and LTE connectivity, typically soldered onto IoT gateways, routers and industrial controllers. Inside the can, a modem, RF front-end, and baseband interface sit on a multilayer PCB, ready to talk to the host processor through standard digital interfaces.

Murata positions this module as a building block for manufacturers who want carrier-grade cellular and short-range radios without designing RF from scratch. In a typical use case, an OEM plugs Type 2AB onto a mainboard, connects power and antennas, and lets the module handle network registration, link maintenance and protocol stacks with minimal firmware overhead.

How it feels in real devices

On a bench, engineers describe the Type 2AB as almost "too small to take seriously" until they power it up and see a status LED flicker as 5G and GNSS lock in. The metal shield gets just warm to the touch during sustained data throughput, a tactile reminder that the RF chain is working hard but staying within thermal limits.

Compared with using separate cellular and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules, the single footprint simplifies enclosure design. Antenna routing still demands care, yet the concentrated RF zone makes it easier to keep noisy digital traces away, which can reduce EMI headaches during certification.

Integrated radios and positioning

Functionally, the Type 2AB combines 5G and LTE for wide-area links with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for local connectivity, plus GNSS for location. That means a single module can serve as both the WAN backhaul and the LAN access point in compact equipment, reducing the number of components and firmware stacks an OEM must qualify.

For fleet-tracked assets or smart meters, the GNSS portion lets devices report their position without external receivers. That tight integration is particularly practical in battery-backed products where board space and power budgets are tight, but location, telemetry and occasional high-bandwidth firmware updates are still required.

Who builds with it

Product managers at industrial OEMs like to treat the Type 2AB as a configurable slot: need more throughput, adjust the 5G profile; need lower energy draw, favor LTE Cat-M or cut back on Wi-Fi duty cycles. A hardware lead can swap the module into different designs while keeping the base architecture intact.

On the Murata side, engineers working on the module’s reference designs provide layout guidelines and matching networks, making it easier for mid-sized manufacturers without deep RF expertise to pass regulatory testing. That support turns the module from a bare component into a partial solution.

Launch, pricing and where it fits

Murata introduces modules like the Type 2AB primarily for OEMs in industrial automation, network infrastructure and advanced IoT, not for hobbyist breadboards. Pricing is usually volume-based and negotiated, with per-unit costs depending on configuration, order size and long-term supply agreements rather than a public MSRP.

In practice, the module competes with offerings from specialist connectivity vendors and modem manufacturers, yet Murata’s strength lies in its ability to integrate multiple radios into a single compact footprint. That can be a consistent advantage in products where the mainboard already looks overloaded under the microscope.

Where it falls short

For small developers or smaller DIY projects, Type 2AB-level modules can feel inaccessible. Documentation and design resources often assume baseline competence in RF layout and antenna tuning, which raises the bar compared with plug-and-play modules aimed at makers.

There is also the simple fact that a multi-radio module is not always the right answer. In some designs, separating cellular and Wi-Fi functions across different boards or enclosures can help with thermal management and iterative upgrades, even if that adds complexity and cost.

Company context and shares

Murata Manufacturing sits at the center of multiple long-running electronics trends, from multilayer ceramic capacitors to communication modules like the Type 2AB that underpin 5G and industrial IoT deployment. All told, such modules contribute to the narrative that Murata is more than a passive-component supplier. Murata Manufacturing shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ISIN JP3932000007, providing investors with exposure to this communication-focused portfolio.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.

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