News Article
Wolfson Introduces Ultra Compact MEMS Microphones
The microphones aim to bring crystal clear recording to a range of portable consumer applications. The analogue silicon mics’ low profile, SNR performance and reduced sensitivity tolerance could change the rules for multiple microphone design.
Wolfson Microelectronics announces the launch of the first devices in its new family of silicon microphones due for release over the next 12 months. The microphones are compact, high signal to noise ratio (SNR) analogue microphones for use in consumer applications requiring low power consumption and excellent signal quality. Using Wolfson's proprietary CMOS/MEMS membrane technology the new devices deliver high reliability and performance in a miniature low profile package. Wolfson is also offering enhanced versions of the devices, which are the first MEMS silicon microphones to deliver a sensitivity tolerance of +/-1dB.
These new devices are the first results from Wolfson's acquisition of Oligon in January 2007 and the first deployment of Wolfson's AudioPlus True Mics technology. Wolfson's technology is based on its unique MEMS transducer IP which uses standard CMOS foundries to deliver greater reliability, repeatability and scalable production capacity, enabling cost and flexibility benefits to be passed on to the end customer. MEMS microphones can withstand the temperatures used in surface mount re-flow soldering techniques and can be used with automated pick and place technology. This removes the need for manual insertion of the microphone and reduces time and cost of assembly.
The compact devices typically consume 160µA making them ideal for use in portable applications such as mobile phones, portable media players, digital still cameras, video cameras, navigation devices and noise cancelling headphones. The devices offer an improved 62dB SNR (A-weighted) performance, reducing the noise floor in the microphone to ensure cost effective delivery of crystal clear sound capture. The devices also feature low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of just 0.5% maximum at 100dB SPL, excellent linearity and flat phase response.
As the first MEMS silicon microphones to offer a tighter sensitivity tolerance of +/-1dB, the enhanced WM7110E and WM7120E devices change the rules for multiple microphone design and bring innovative new applications into cost effective reach. As well as removing the need for costly production line testing and calibration software algorithms, the tighter +/-1dB sensitivity tolerance give the microphones better matching, a crucial element in the design of microphone arrays for beam steering. Noise cancellation design can also be substantially improved with closer matched microphones.
Peter Frith, CTO at Wolfson comments, “The new ultra compact True Mics MEMS silicon microphones bring Wolfson quality sound recording to a wide range of consumer applications. Through our proprietary CMOS/MEMS membrane technology and +/-1dB sensitivity tolerance we're bringing innovative multiple microphone applications into cost effective reach for OEMs/ODMs”
These new devices are the first results from Wolfson's acquisition of Oligon in January 2007 and the first deployment of Wolfson's AudioPlus True Mics technology. Wolfson's technology is based on its unique MEMS transducer IP which uses standard CMOS foundries to deliver greater reliability, repeatability and scalable production capacity, enabling cost and flexibility benefits to be passed on to the end customer. MEMS microphones can withstand the temperatures used in surface mount re-flow soldering techniques and can be used with automated pick and place technology. This removes the need for manual insertion of the microphone and reduces time and cost of assembly.
The compact devices typically consume 160µA making them ideal for use in portable applications such as mobile phones, portable media players, digital still cameras, video cameras, navigation devices and noise cancelling headphones. The devices offer an improved 62dB SNR (A-weighted) performance, reducing the noise floor in the microphone to ensure cost effective delivery of crystal clear sound capture. The devices also feature low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of just 0.5% maximum at 100dB SPL, excellent linearity and flat phase response.
As the first MEMS silicon microphones to offer a tighter sensitivity tolerance of +/-1dB, the enhanced WM7110E and WM7120E devices change the rules for multiple microphone design and bring innovative new applications into cost effective reach. As well as removing the need for costly production line testing and calibration software algorithms, the tighter +/-1dB sensitivity tolerance give the microphones better matching, a crucial element in the design of microphone arrays for beam steering. Noise cancellation design can also be substantially improved with closer matched microphones.
Peter Frith, CTO at Wolfson comments, “The new ultra compact True Mics MEMS silicon microphones bring Wolfson quality sound recording to a wide range of consumer applications. Through our proprietary CMOS/MEMS membrane technology and +/-1dB sensitivity tolerance we're bringing innovative multiple microphone applications into cost effective reach for OEMs/ODMs”
