The Norwegian company has already developed optical MEMS microphones that demonstrate first-class sound quality despite their miniature size. SensiBel's optical MEMS microphones enable a generational shift in miniature microphone performance, featuring 80dBA SNR (14dBA noise floor), 132dB dynamic range, 24-bit digital output, and low power consumption. Rivaling performances until now associated only with conventional Electret Condenser Microphones (ECMs), while offering all the unique benefits of MEMS devices in high-volume production, these miniature microphones enable a completely new and improved experience in application areas such as consumer electronics, automotive, conferencing solutions, and medical devices.
Not surprisingly, as a leading manufacturer of professional microphones, Sennheiser recognized the technology offered by sensiBel as a long-awaited solution to electroacoustic challenges in high-performance audio and sound acquisition applications. For the German company, sensiBel offers promising potential in applications that include enterprise video conferencing systems, 3D spatial audio capture, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) headphones, and many more.
"sensiBel shares the same vision as Sennheiser and we are proud to welcome Sennheiser as investor," says sensiBel CEO Sverre Dale Moen. "We believe an investment from such a highly recognized audio company speaks to the merits of the technology and the potential for optical MEMS technology to shape the future of miniature microphones. We strongly believe in working with long-term investors like Sennheiser to bring products from this unique technology to the market, and will continue to evaluate additional investors for future capital raises."
Explaining the aspiration that drove this investment, Co-CEO Daniel Sennheiser states: "We want to grow sustainably as a company. In addition to investments in our existing business, this also includes investments in promising future fields outside of our company, providing these align well to our company and our vision."
"sensiBel's innovative optical MEMS technology is clearly this type of promising emerging field. As investors, we look forward to actively driving forward this groundbreaking development," Co-CEO Andreas Sennheiser adds.
The distinctive feature of sensiBel’s unique technology is the use of light waves to measure the movement of the diaphragm. By contrast, conventional MEMS microphones measure an electric field between the moving diaphragm and a backplate. In sensiBel's optical system however, a laser generates light beams that are projected onto the microphone membrane and reflected on a photo detector. The reflected beams are captured and processed in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with a digital output data interface.
In contrast to the conventional method, this new technology makes it possible to measure very small movements and therefore capture very low noise levels – even when there is a high level of loud background noise. Additionally, the optical MEMS microphone can withstand high sound pressure levels providing a large dynamic range to the users. As a result, the microphones generate significantly better sound quality than previous MEMS solutions on the market.
The Norwegian company is getting closer to commercialization, with the current generation optical MEMS SBM100 series device being successfully demonstrated at CES 2024, where it generated significant attention from major consumer technology players. sensiBel is now getting ready to announce its second generation devices.
A family-owned company, Sennheiser was founded in 1945 and is today managed in the third generation by Dr. Andreas Sennheiser and Daniel Sennheiser. The Sennheiser Group worldwide includes Sennheiser, Neumann, Dear reality and Merging Technologies.
www.sennheiser.com
www.sensibel.com
