Knowles is to manufacture a MEMS microphone supporting ultrasonic bandwidth starting in Q3.

It allows the microphone to assist smartphones and consumer electronics with touch-less gesture recognition, phone-to-phone data transmission, pen input compatibility for handsets and tablets, and 3D positioning input.

To facilitate these capabilities, the new MEMS microphone can receive ultrasonic sound waves above the audible range of humans, up to 80 kHz, and use those waves to triangulate an object’s location and movement. The technology principles are similar to radar or an ultrasound administered by a doctor during pregnancy.

Beyond the ultrasonic mode, the microphone offers four performance modes, including a low power voice activation mode, which is ideal for mobile consumer electronics.

Knowles expects to begin manufacturing in Q3 2014.

Product Details
· Product: High SNR digital bottom port microphone
· Part Number: SPH0641LU4H-1
· Measurements: 3.50 x 2.65 x 0.98 mm

Product Features
· Supports ultrasonic frequencies
· Superwide-band capable
· Lowest power consumption in the market (3x less than other digital microphones)
· Best acoustic performance per square millimeter
· Multiple performance modes (sleep, low-power, standard mode, ultrasonic mode)
· Sensitivity matching for better algorithm performance
· Easier system integration and better RF immunity compared to analog microphones

Technical Data
· Ultrasonic frequencies: Up to 80kHz
· Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Nominal 64.3 dB(A)
· Flat Frequency Response: Up to 20 kHz
· Power consumption: 235µA in low power mode
· Size: More than 20% smaller than other digital microphones
· Sensitivity matching: ±1 dB