Invensense, Inc.

Sonion A/s

Audioasics A/s

Techtronic A/s

Epcos Pte Ltd

Igor Mucha

Michael Henderson Perrott

Stefano Valle

Michael T Tuttle

Alessandro Magnani

Marek Matej

Robert Dick

Tomas Pitak

Claus Erdmann Fürst

Baris Cagdaser

Henrik Thomsen

James Christian Salvia

Miroslav Svajda

Matthias Müllenborn

Lars Stenberg

Lars Jørn Stenberg

Dusan Vecera

Lars J Stenberg

Peter Pracny

Tomás Piták

Pavol Tiković

Nicola Vannucci

Acoustic activity detection is provided herein. Operations of a method can include receiving an acoustic signal at a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) microphone. Based on portions of the acoustic signal being determined to exceed a threshold signal level, output pulses are generated. Further, the method can include extracting information representative of a frequency of the acoustic signal based on respective spacing between rising edges of the output pulses.

Acoustic activity detection

Disclosed embodiments provide flexible performance, high dynamic range, microelectromechanical (MEMS) multipath digital microphones, which allow seamless, low latency transitions between audio signal paths without audible artifacts over interruptions in the audio output signal. Disclosed embodiments facilitate performance and power saving mode transitions maintaining high dynamic range capability.

Microphone with flexible performance

Technologies are provided for adaptive control of bias settings in a digital microphone. In some embodiments, a device includes a first component that provides data indicative of a clock frequency of operation in a functional mode of a digital microphone. The clock frequency clocks one or more microphone components having switching activity. The device also can include a second component that determines, using the clock frequency, an amount of bias current to supply to at least a first microphone component of the one or more microphone components. The device can further include a memory device that retains control parameters that include at least one of a first subset of parameters defining a relationship between current and frequency and a second subset of parameters defining a quantization of the relationship. The quantization including multiple bias current levels for respective frequency intervals.

Adaptive control of bias settings in a digital microphone

Exemplary multipath digital microphones described herein can comprise exemplary embodiments of automatic gain control and multipath digital audio signal digital signal processing chains, which allow low power and die size to be achieved as described herein, while still providing a high DR digital microphone systems. Further non-limiting embodiments can facilitate switching between multipath digital audio signal digital signal processing chains while minimizing audible artifacts associated with either the change in the gain automatic gain control amplifiers switching between multipath digital audio signal digital signal processing chains.

Method for improving die area and power efficiency in high dynamic range digital microphones

Facilitating an enhanced linearity and acoustic overload point of a sensor is presented herein. A system can comprise a first conductive component that is biased at a first direct current (DC) voltage; a second conductive component that is biased at a second DC voltage that is opposite in polarity to the first DC voltage; a third conductive component that is capacitively coupled to the first conductive component and the second conductive component; and a feedback component that generates a non-inverted output signal, comprising a sum of buffered signals generated via capacitive coupling between the third conductive component and the first and second conductive components, generates an inverted output signal comprising an amplified inversion of the non-inverted output signal, and applies the inverted output signal to the third conductive component.

Sensor with enhanced linearity and acoustic overload point

A feedback signal is employed to facilitate enhancing an acoustic overload point and electrostatic discharge protection of a sensor component and associated circuit. The sensor component comprises a backplate component and a diaphragm component. The backplate component is biased to a low-level voltage associated with a ground. The diaphragm component is biased to a defined high-voltage associated with a charge pump. The diaphragm component generates a signal based on movement of the diaphragm component in relation to the backplate component in response to the input signal. A feedback component receives the signal from the diaphragm component and generates an inverted signal based on the signal. The inverted signal or a processed inverted signal, which can be derived from a filter component that filters the inverted signal, is transmitted to the backplate component.

Sensor component with enhanced acoustic overload point and electrostatic discharge protection

Systems and techniques for processing a signal associated with a microphone are presented. The system includes a microphone component and a preamplifier. The microphone component is contained in a housing. The preamplifier includes an input buffer that receives a signal generated by the microphone component. The input buffer also generates an output signal that comprises a direct current (DC) voltage offset in comparison to the signal, where the preamplifier controls a degree of the DC voltage offset based on a control signal.

Preamplifier for a microphone

The present invention relates to an integrated amplification circuit for a transducer signal comprising a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate comprises a signal limiting network comprising first and second parallel legs coupled between an input of a preamplifier and a first predetermined electric potential of the integrated amplification circuit. The first leg comprises a plurality of cascaded semiconductor diodes coupled to conduct current in a first direction through the limiting network and the second leg comprises a plurality of cascaded semiconductor diodes coupled to conduct current in a second direction through the limiting network. A current blocking member is configured to break a parasitic current path between an anode or a cathode of a semiconductor diode of the first leg or the second leg and the semiconductor substrate.

Amplification circuit comprising input signal limiting network

The present invention relates to a microphone assembly comprising a microphone assembly casing having a sound inlet port and a transducer for receiving acoustic waves through the sound inlet port. The transducer converts the received acoustic waves to analog audio signals. The assembly according to the present invention further comprises an electronic circuit positioned within the microphone assembly casing, said electronic circuit comprising a pre-amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter preferably in form of a sigma-delta modulator so as to convert amplified analog audio signals to digital audio signals.

Microphone unit with internal A/D converter

An integrated circuit, configured to process microphone signals, where the integrated circuit comprises: a preamplifier () with an amplifier section () which has a first input (&#x3c6;) and a second input (&#x3c6;*) and an output (&#x3c6;), and with a feedback filter network (Z; Z, Z, Z) coupled between the output (&#x3c6;; &#x3c6;, &#x3c6;*) and the second input (&#x3c6;'); where the first input (&#x3c6;) to the amplifier section () has an input impedance which by means of the input impedance of the amplifier section is substantially isolated from the feedback network with respect to input impedance; and where the preamplifier has a frequency-gain transfer function which suppress low frequencies; and an analogue-to-digital converter coupled to receive an anti-aliasing filtered input signal and providing a digital output signal (Do).

Digital microphone

The present invention provides a miniature MEMS microphone comprising a single-ended transducer element connected to an amplifier providing a differential electrical output at terminals arranged at a substantially plane exterior surface. The differential or balanced output signal provides a miniature microphone exhibiting a high dynamic range and a reduced susceptibility to EMI. The microphone is adapted for surface mounting thus the extra output terminal required is still suitable for low cost mass production. In preferred embodiments the transducer element and amplifier are silicon-based. The microphone may have a plurality of separate single-ended transducer elements connected to separate amplifiers providing separate differential outputs. The microphones according to the invention are advantageous for applications within for example hearing aids and mobile equipment.

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Bratislava, Slovakia

Igor Mucha