TDK InvenSense MEMS Microphones Available with Synaptics AudioSmart Solution

November 1 2017, 03:10
TDK Corporation showcased a Synaptics AudioSmart solution for voice recognition, using InvenSense high performance MEMS microphones, at the 2017 TDK Sensor Developers Conference in Santa Clara, CA (October 23-24.) The ICS-40212 and ICS-40720 analog output and the ICS-41350 PDM digital output MEMS microphones are approved for use with Synaptics AudioSmart Amazon Voice Services (AVS) solution. TDK also announced the worldwide availability of its SmartMotion Platform encompassing 4 unique development kits with multiple sensors.
 

For audio devices and voice applications, TDK is promoting its InvenSense MEMS Microphones with Synaptics AudioSmart Solution. The InvenSense ICS-40212 and ICS-40720 analog output and the ICS-41350 PDM digital output MEMS microphones are approved for use with the Synaptics AudioSmart AVS solution. These microphones offer high SNR and very low power at a frequency bandwidth up to 20kHz.  

High performance microphones are key in enabling voice based services that are now becoming commonplace in many homes. TDK microphones feature high signal to noise ratio (SNR) and very low power at a frequency bandwidth up to 20kHz. The TDK and Synaptics technology combined are enabling smart speakers, home hubs, and voice recognition applications to achieve their full potential.
 

“We are excited that our high-performance MEMS microphone solutions have been included with the Synaptics silicon- and software-based AudioSmart solution to enhance, enrich and expand user experience in the home speaker and IoT market,” says Kieran Harney, managing director, audio products, TDK.

“The combination of our voice and speech processing solutions with TDK’s market leading high-performance MEMS microphones will help device manufacturers quickly bring their voice-enabled solutions to market,” says Saleel Awsare, vice president and general manager, audio and imaging business, Synaptics.

Key applications for these systems include Home Speakers, Smartphones, Tablets, Wearables, Activity Monitoring and Always-on Listening appliances. The ICS-40720 can also be used in teleconferencing systems, security and surveillance, and digital cameras, as well as any microphone array and voice control and activation. Main features and benefits include low power in standard mode, and very low power mode for always-on listening,20kHz bandwidth, and very tight matching for array processing.

TDK’s New SmartMotion Platform
TDK also announced the worldwide availability of its SmartMotion Platform encompassing 4 unique development kits that enable rapid evaluation and development of InvenSense MEMS sensor-based solutions. Built on a single board design, the platform enables fast system prototyping and parallel software development, with an on-board embedded debugger. The SmartMotion platform is designed around Microchip’s G55MCU with built-in 512KB of Flash Memory and incorporates InvenSense’s 6-axis, 7-axis, or 9-axis motion sensor solutions.

Developers can evaluate and incorporate sensor functions like orientation, activity tracking, and gestures to develop state-of-the-art applications. Each development kit includes InvenSense MotionLink, a GUI based development tool and embedded Motion Drivers (eMD) for InvenSense sensors. The MotionLink can be used to capture and visualize sensor data from the motion sensor. Sensor Fusion is supported in the eMD, consisting of a set of APIs to configure various aspects of the platform including sensor parameters such as full-scale range (FSR), output data rate (ODR), low-power or low-noise mode, and sensor interface to host (I2C and SPI).

The Digital Motion Processor offloads computation of motion processing algorithms from the host processor, improving system performance, while Sensor Fusion is the aggregation of data from multiple sensors (Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Compass etc.) to obtain better information and accuracy, than using sensors individually. Potential applications cover all types of wearable devices, smartphones, activity monitors, drones, toys, and sports applications.

TDK Corporation is a leading electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's portfolio includes passive components, such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, ferrites and inductors, high-frequency products, and piezo and protection components, as well as sensors and sensor systems and power supplies. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK's further main product groups include magnetic application products, energy devices, and flash memory application devices. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America.
 

InvenSense is a TDK Group company and a world leading provider of MEMS sensor platforms. InvenSense’s solutions combine MEMS (micro electrical mechanical systems) sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, and microphones with proprietary algorithms and firmware that intelligently process, synthesize, and calibrate the output of sensors, maximizing performance and accuracy. In May of 2017, InvenSense became part of the MEMS Sensors Business Group within the newly formed Sensor Systems Business Company of TDK Corporation. InvenSense is headquartered in San Jose, California and has offices worldwide. 
www.invensense.com/technology/sound/
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