Crystal-clear audio with MEMS microphones
02 November 2010
Wolfson has launched its next-generation digital silicon micro-electro-mechanical-systems microphones.
Already in demand by many consumer electronics manufacturers, Wolfson’s digital MEMS microphones combine low power consumption, excellent audio capture, a superior signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of 58dB, low total harmonic distortion (THD) and a miniature low profile package. This makes them suitable for applications including mobile phones, PCs, portable media players, digital still cameras, and navigation devices.
The WM7210 and the WM7220 complement Wolfson’s high volume family of analogue MEMS microphones which were announced in 2008. Based on the company’s proprietary CMOS/MEMS membrane technology, the new digital devices deliver high reliability and performance, and can withstand the high temperatures needed for automated flow solder assembly, which can damage conventional microphones.
Wolfson’s digital microphones boast low THD performance, even at very high sound pressure levels. Low THD is essential in delivering crystal-clear sound, as often loud sounds are distorted by a microphone.
The WM7210 and WM7220 also help save battery life issues with ultra low sleep mode power consumption. When the clock delivered to the microphone drops below a specified frequency, the microphones automatically power down into a sleep mode, consuming just a few micro amps.
Each microphone incorporates a high performance ADC which outputs a single bit Pulse Density Modulated (PDM) format audio data stream, while the microphone output can be defined for left or right configuration allowing for applications requiring stereo operation.
The WM7210 is available in a 4mm x 3mm x 1mm thin package design, while the WM7220 is available in a 4.72mm x 3.76mm x 1.25mm package.
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