This part of IEC 60862 gives practical guidance on the use of SAW filters which are used in telecommunications, measuring equipment, radar systems and consumer products. IEC 60862-1 should be referred to for general information, standard values and test conditions.

SAW filters are now widely used in a variety of applications such as TV, satellite communications, optical fibre communications, mobile communications and so on. While these SAW filters have various specifications, many of them can be classified within a few fundamental categories.

This part of IEC 60862 includes various kinds of filter configuration, of which the operating frequency range is from approximately 10 MHz to 3 GHz and the relative bandwidth is about 0,02 % to 50 % of the centre frequency.

It is not the aim of this standard to explain theory, nor to attempt to cover all the eventualities which may arise in practical circumstances. This standard draws attention to some of the more fundamental questions, which should be considered by the user before he places an order for a SAW filter for a new application. Such a procedure will be the user's insurance against unsatisfactory performance.

Standard specifications, given in IEC 60862 series, and national specifications or detail specifications issued by manufacturers, define the available combinations of nominal frequency, pass bandwidth, ripple, shape factor, terminating impedance, etc. These specifications are compiled to include a wide range of SAW filters with standardized performances. It cannot be over-emphasized that the user should, wherever possible, select his SAW filters from these specifications, when available, even if it may lead to making small modifications to his circuit to enable standard filters to be used. This applies particularly to the selection of the nominal frequency.