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seaEE
It would be nice to have headphones that can cancel higher frequency noise as ...
t.alex
I think phones will be benefit most from this. We always have trouble talking ...
ST offers audio processor for multiple MEMS microphones
Peter Clarke
1/12/2012 10:52 AM EST
LONDON – STMicroelectronics NV has introduced a digital audio processor IC that is intended for use in multi-microphone applications.
Multiple microphones can be used to locate sound sources in space and to enhance noise cancellation methods. With silicon-membrane MEMS microphones it is possible to produce arrays of small microphones or strips containing many silicon microphone die to improve the sound quality of mobile phones, tablet computers, gaming devices and video security systems.
The Smart Voice audio processors enable features such as acoustic echo cancellation, noise suppression, beam-forming. Multi-microphone systems also address next-generation audio applications, such as 3-D sound processing, sound-source localization, virtual microphones, and audio zooming.
ST’s newest digital audio processor is based on an acoustic processing engine that offloads intensive computing tasks from the main application processor. It handles up to 6 digital microphone inputs with dynamic array re-configuration and dedicated channel processing. The device integrates a high-quality scalable acoustic processing core with a tunable 10-band equalizer, a peak limiter, and gain and volume controls.
The Smart Voice processors come bundled with AP Workbench, a programming tool.
The STA321MPL, the first Smart Voice processor, is sampling with mass production scheduled for 2Q12. The unit pricing is $4 per unit for amounts of about 1,000 pieces.
EE Times Confidential is working on a MEMS Sector Profile and Database report and if you would be interested in being advised when copies are available, please send an email to peter.clarke@ubm.com
Related links and articles:
Teardown finds RF MEMS in Samsung handset
MEMS IDM targets mass-market applications
NXP validates MEMS timing market
Invensense tips single-chip inertial navigation unit
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t.alex
1/14/2012 7:55 PM EST
This is innovative to use MEMS to improve audio quality.
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sharps_eng
4/23/2012 2:32 PM EDT
I guess the large scale use of mic arrays was pioneered for aircraft detection until radar arrived, but later progressed for Cold-War espionage 'bugging'.
This is a great application for multiple processors cooperating in real-time, you could absorb as much processing power as you can buy. The trick is to achive the processing with minimal group delay, whih means processing in parallel.
Hearing aids also stand to benefit, as mic directionality is very helpful for discriminating voices in a crowd. Coupling this with assist from a camera could greatly
benefit hearing-aid users (and spooks of course).
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Frank Eory
4/23/2012 5:34 PM EDT
As MEMS microphones get cheaper, it should be increasingly common to see microphone arrays in smartphones and tablets. There are already some Bluetooth headsets offering microphone arrays for noise cancellation.
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seaEE
4/28/2012 4:04 PM EDT
It would be nice to have headphones that can cancel higher frequency noise as well, not just jet engine rumble.
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t.alex
4/28/2012 5:01 AM EDT
I think phones will be benefit most from this. We always have trouble talking over the phone at noisy areas.
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