More Digital Signal Processing and Better Audio in audioXpress November 2020

This audioXpress November 2020 edition explores the latest trends in digital signal processing (DSP) and how it applies to all audio applications, now increasing in power thanks to cutting-edge artificial intelligence running on devices. In this issue, you will also learn how to "Test and Optimize Strategies for Conference Terminal Equipment," "What to Measure for Quality Control of Audio Devices," and more about Automotive Audio Bus A2B. Stuart Yaniger reviews the latest Earthworks M23R Measurement Microphone, and you can read articles about acoustics, audio electronics and the best in DIY audio from our monthly columnists.

At the end of July 2020, audioXpress ran a product release on Vesper's VM3011 intelligent digital micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphone. Its claim to fame is a power saving architecture that enables battery standby life that otherwise would be unattainable without the "smarts." There are another half-dozen developers working on integrating all sorts of capabilities within the MEMS mic package. This article, originally published in The Audio Voice newsletter, discusses those developments.

Syntiant, the tech company providing AI voice and sensor solutions at the edge, announced that it has shipped more than 1 million units of its Syntiant NDP100 and Syntiant NDP101 microwatt-power Neural Decision Processors (NDPs) to clients worldwide. The Irvine, California-based company also announced it has completed a $35 million Series C funding round, as it continues to execute on its strategy, fulfilling growing demand for its ultra-low-power, deep learning voice solution at the edge.

Alexa! OK Google! Hey Siri! Did we get your attention? If we were to have read that aloud most of us would have our favorite robot voice asking us what we want. Whether it is Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or another assistant, voice commands are the logical next step in user interfaces (UI). The uptake in the market has been extremely good for these devices. However, deployment has exposed some major issues with this technology. In this article I'm going to discuss the Syntiant NDP 10x processor and how it solves the aforementioned challenges.

At CES 2020, Syntiant announced a partnership with Sensory, combining the expertise and technologies in AI and speech recognition at the Edge, to deliver a deep learning, multi-lingual voice interface for battery-powered devices. The combined solution merges Sensory’s larger, higher-performance TrulyHandsfree wake word engine and voice control with Syntiant’s microwatt-power Neural Decision Processors (NDPs), bringing low-latency, real-time inference to edge devices.

Syntiant, a California-based AI chip company focused on moving machine learning from the cloud to edge devices, announced a partnership with Infineon Technologies, to service the rising demand for voice user interface (VUI) in electronic devices. Optimized for battery-powered devices from true wireless earbuds to mobile phones to smart speakers, Syntiant’s partnership with Infineon enables more efficient voice control and custom command detection to numerous product configurations.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) officially kicked off CES season with traditional CES Unveiled events in New York, Paris and Amsterdam. Attendees to these invitation-only celebrations heard exclusive CES announcements and experienced emerging tech trends that will dominate the CES 2020 show floor Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More importantly, these events kicked off the annual CES 2020 Innovation Awards announcements, which will be expanded and confirmed until the Las Vegas show opens in January.

Bragi, the company which can rightfully claim to be the creators of the world’s first Hearable, is unveiling the next-generation of its technology suite and is to introduce it at MWC 2019. As previously announced, Bragi is now developing ultra-efficient artificial intelligence and edge computing technologies for ultra-low power devices that intends to make available to other manufacturers. At MWC 2019, the German company will disclose details of the new platform as a reference design for professional Hearables.