XMOS announced the launch of its xCORE Array Microphone aggregation solution for voice user interfaces (VUI) in smart home applications. With the ability to aggregate up to 32 MEMS microphones, and offering USB and I2S backhaul, XMOS enables a new class of array microphones to be created. Applications include smart TVs, soundbars, virtual digital assistants (VDAs) and smart home automation.
Voice user interfaces (VUIs) are emerging as an approach to interacting with the growing number of smart devices found in our homes. Accurate, far-field voice capture underpins VUI technology and is best achieved using multiple microphones. Many of today’s solutions are limited to just two or four microphones whereas the XMOS solution can be deployed with up to 32, enabling improved user experiences through higher signal-to-noise performance and enhanced control of both sensitivity and directivity.
Commenting on the launch, Paul Neil, VP of Marketing at XMOS says, “Our microphone aggregation solution delivers new levels of performance and flexibility to smart home devices requiring far-field voice capture and speech recognition. Our ability to interface directly with digital MEMS microphones, combined with the integration of control and DSP functions in a single device enables our customers to create highly differentiated products, while reducing their total system bill of materials.”
The new XMOS microphone array aggregator was already deployed by voice digital assistant pioneer Rokid (www.rokid.com), a well-funded home-automation startup with offices in San Francisco, California, and Hangzhou and Beijing, China. “At Rokid, we are integrating the very latest technologies with a unique design aesthetic to create a new type of Artificial Intelligence for the home. We selected XMOS because of the flexibility of their solution, their ability to aggregate a large number of microphones and the maturity of their backhaul capabilities. With this product, XMOS is well positioned to lead the next generation of voice capture solutions”, commented Dan Wong, CEO at Rokid.
XMOS is a premier provider of voice and music connectivity and control ICs. The company' XS1 xCORE Multicore Microcontroller solutions have been the driving force behind high quality consumer, studio and broadcast audio equipment from over 200 vendors. Now on its second generation, the xCORE-200 family of Multicore Microcontrollers is pushing the boundaries of quality and integration - delivering premium quality music, and the most comprehensive Voice User Interface (VUI) controller solutions for IoT devices. The new xCORE Array Microphone is based on the xCORE-200 device family, and the solution is delivered as an evaluation board and supporting software libraries.
www.xmos.com/products/usbarraymic
