Abstract: A microphone assembly includes an acoustic transducer element configured to convert sound into a microphone signal in accordance with a transducer frequency response including a first highpass cut-off frequency. The microphone assembly additionally includes a processing circuit including a signal amplification path configured to receive, sample and digitize the microphone signal to provide a digital microphone signal. A frequency response of the signal amplification path includes a second highpass cut-off frequency which is higher than the first highpass cut-off frequency of the acoustic transducer element.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a transducer element and a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive, sample and quantize a microphone signal generated by the transducer element to generate a corresponding digital microphone signal. The processing circuit includes a feedback path including a digital loop filter configured to receive and filter the digital microphone signal to provide a first digital feedback signal and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to convert the first digital feedback signal into a corresponding analog feedback signal. The processing circuit additionally includes a summing node at the transducer output configured to combine the microphone signal and the analog feedback signal.

Abstract: Approaches are provided for an apparatus that includes an input buffer, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the input buffer, a decompress module coupled to the analog to digital converter, and a gain control module coupled to the input buffer and the decompress module. The input buffer has a first adjustable gain and operating in the analog domain. The analog-to-digital converter converts the input analog data received from the input buffer into digital data. The decompress module operates in the digital domain, and is configured to decompress the digital data received from the analog-to-digital converter. The decompress module has a second adjustable gain and produces an output digital signal. The gain control module determines when to compensate for changes in characteristics the input analog data by selectively controlling the first gain of the input buffer in the analog domain and the second gain of the decompress module in the digital domain.

Abstract: A microphone includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) circuit and an integrated circuit. The MEMS circuit is configured to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal, and the integrated circuit is coupled to the MEMS circuit and is configured to receive the electrical signal. The integrated circuit and the MEMS circuit receive a clock signal from an external host. The clock signal is effective to cause the MEMS circuit and integrated circuit to operate in full system operation mode during a first time period and in a voice activity mode of operation during a second time period. The voice activity mode has a first power consumption and the full system operation mode has a second power consumption. The first power consumption is less than the second power consumption. The integrated circuit is configured to generate an interrupt upon the detection of voice activity, and send the interrupt to the host.

Abstract: A driver, includes a driver block, a controller block, and a comparison block. The driver block includes an adjustable current source configured to produce a digital output stream. The controller block is coupled to the driver block. The comparison block is coupled to the driver block and the controller block. The comparison block is configured to compare the digital output stream to a reference value at a time delayed with respect to a master clock and based upon the comparison cause the controller block to adjust a strength of the driver block.

Abstract: Approaches are provided for an apparatus that includes an input buffer, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the input buffer, a decompress module coupled to the analog to digital converter, and a gain control module coupled to the input buffer and the decompress module. The input buffer has a first adjustable gain and operating in the analog domain. The analog-to-digital converter converts the input analog data received from the input buffer into digital data. The decompress module operates in the digital domain, and is configured to decompress the digital data received from the analog-to-digital converter. The decompress module has a second adjustable gain and produces an output digital signal. The gain control module determines when to compensate for changes in characteristics the input analog data by selectively controlling the first gain of the input buffer in the analog domain and the second gain of the decompress module in the digital domain.

Abstract: A microphone includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) circuit and an integrated circuit. The MEMS circuit is configured to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal, and the integrated circuit is coupled to the MEMS circuit and is configured to receive the electrical signal. The integrated circuit and the MEMS circuit receive an external clock signal from an external host, and the external clock signal is effective to cause the MEMS circuit and integrated circuit to operate in full system operation mode during a first time period and in a voice activity mode of operation during a second time period. The voice activity mode has a first power consumption and the full system operation mode having a second power consumption. The first power consumption is less than the second power consumption. The integrated circuit is configured to generate an electrical interrupt signal upon a detection of voice activity, and send the electrical interrupt signal to the host.

Abstract: A microphone includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) circuit and an integrated circuit. The MEMS circuit is configured to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal, and the integrated circuit is coupled to the MEMS circuit and is configured to receive the electrical signal. The integrated circuit and the MEMS circuit receive a clock signal from an external host. The clock signal is effective to cause the MEMS circuit and integrated circuit to operate in full system operation mode during a first time period and in a voice activity mode of operation during a second time period. The voice activity mode has a first power consumption and the full system operation mode has a second power consumption. The first power consumption is less than the second power consumption. The integrated circuit is configured to generate an interrupt upon the detection of voice activity, and send the interrupt to the host.

Abstract: A driver, includes a driver block, a controller block, and a comparison block. The driver block includes an adjustable current source configured to produce a digital output stream. The controller block is coupled to the driver block. The comparison block is coupled to the driver block and the controller block. The comparison block is configured to compare the digital output stream to a reference value at a time delayed with respect to a master clock and based upon the comparison cause the controller block to adjust a strength of the driver block.

Abstract: A microphone includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) circuit and an integrated circuit. The MEMS circuit is configured to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal, and the integrated circuit is coupled to the MEMS circuit and is configured to receive the electrical signal. The integrated circuit and the MEMS circuit receive a clock signal from an external host. The clock signal is effective to cause the MEMS circuit and integrated circuit to operate in full system operation mode during a first time period and in a voice activity mode of operation during a second time period. The voice activity mode has a first power consumption and the full system operation mode has a second power consumption. The first power consumption is less than the second power consumption. The integrated circuit is configured to generate an interrupt upon the detection of voice activity, and send the interrupt to the host.

Abstract: A microphone includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) circuit and an integrated circuit. The MEMS circuit is configured to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal, and the integrated circuit is coupled to the MEMS circuit and is configured to receive the electrical signal. The integrated circuit and the MEMS circuit receive a clock signal from an external host. The clock signal is effective to cause the MEMS circuit and integrated circuit to operate in full system operation mode during a first time period and in a voice activity mode of operation during a second time period. The voice activity mode has a first power consumption and the full system operation mode has a second power consumption. The first power consumption is less than the second power consumption. The integrated circuit is configured to generate an interrupt upon the detection of voice activity, and send the interrupt to the host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microphone assembly comprising a microphone assembly casing having a sound inlet port and a transducer for receiving acoustic waves through the sound inlet port. The transducer converts the received acoustic waves to analog audio signals. The assembly according to the present invention further comprises an electronic circuit positioned within the microphone assembly casing, said electronic circuit comprising a pre-amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter preferably in form of a sigma-delta modulator so as to convert amplified analog audio signals to digital audio signals.

Abstract: A semiconductor die with an integrated electronic circuit, configured so as to be mounted in a housing with a capacitive transducer e.g. a microphone. A first circuit is configured to receive an input signal from the transducer at an input node and to provide an output signal at a pad of the semiconductor die. The integrated electronic circuit comprises an active switch device with a control input, coupled to a pad of the semiconductor die, to operatively engage or disengage a second circuit interconnected with the first circuit so as to operate the integrated electronic circuit in a mode selected by the control input. That is, a programmable or controllable transducer. The second circuit is interconnected with the first circuit so as to be separate from the input node. Thereby less noise is induced, a more precise control of the circuit is obtainable and more advanced control options are possible.

Abstract: A semiconductor die with an integrated electronic circuit, configured so as to be mounted in a housing with a capacitive transducer e.g. a microphone. A first circuit is configured to receive an input signal from the transducer at an input node and to provide an output signal at a pad of the semiconductor die. The integrated electronic circuit comprises an active switch device with a control input, coupled to a pad of the semiconductor die, to operatively engage or disengage a second circuit interconnected with the first circuit so as to operate the integrated electronic circuit in a mode selected by the control input. That is, a programmable or controllable transducer. The second circuit is interconnected with the first circuit so as to be separate from the input node. Thereby less noise is induced, a more precise control of the circuit is obtainable and more advanced control options are possible.

Abstract: A semiconductor die with an integrated electronic circuit, configured so as to be mounted in a housing with a capacitive transducer e.g. a microphone. A first circuit is configured to receive an input signal from the transducer at an input node and to provide an output signal at a pad of the semiconductor die. The integrated electronic circuit comprises an active switch device with a control input, coupled to a pad of the semiconductor die, to operatively engage or disengage a second circuit interconnected with the first circuit so as to operate the integrated electronic circuit in a mode selected by the control input. That is, a programmable or controllable transducer. The second circuit is interconnected with the first circuit so as to be separate from the input node. Thereby less noise is induced, a more precise control of the circuit is obtainable and more advanced control options are possible.

Abstract: An integrated circuit configured to provide a microphone output signal, comprising: a preamplifier coupled to receive an input signal, generated by either a first microphone member or a second microphone member, where one of the members is movable relative to the other microphone member; a voltage pump to output a pumped voltage; and a low-pass filter coupled to filter the pumped voltage from the voltage pump and to provide a bias voltage to either microphone member.

Abstract: A semiconductor die with an integrated electronic circuit, configured so as to be mounted in a housing with a capacitive transducer e.g. a microphone. A first circuit is configured to receive an input signal from the transducer at an input node and to provide an output signal at a pad of the semiconductor die. The integrated electronic circuit comprises an active switch device with a control input, coupled to a pad of the semiconductor die, to operatively engage or disengage a second circuit interconnected with the first circuit so as to operate the integrated electronic circuit in a mode selected by the control input. That is, a programmable or controllable transducer. The second circuit is interconnected with the first circuit so as to be separate from the input node. Thereby less noise is induced, a more precise control of the circuit is obtainable and more advanced control options are possible.

Abstract: A semiconductor die with an integrated electronic circuit, configured so as to be mounted in a housing with a capacitive transducer e.g. a microphone. A first circuit is configured to receive an input signal from the transducer at an input node and to provide an output signal at a pad of the semiconductor die. The integrated electronic circuit comprises an active switch device with a control input, coupled to a pad of the semiconductor die, to operatively engage or disengage a second circuit interconnected with the first circuit so as to operate the integrated electronic circuit in a mode selected by the control input. That is, a programmable or controllable transducer. The second circuit is interconnected with the first circuit so as to be separate from the input node. Thereby less noise is induced, a more precise control of the circuit is obtainable and more advanced control options are possible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microphone assembly comprising a microphone assembly casing having a sound inlet port and a transducer for receiving acoustic waves through the sound inlet port. The transducer converts the received acoustic waves to analog audio signals. The assembly according to the present invention further comprises an electronic circuit positioned within the microphone assembly casing, said electronic circuit comprising a pre-amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter preferably in form of a sigma-delta modulator so as to convert amplified analog audio signals to digital audio signals.

Abstract: A method of controlling a sigma delta modulator with a loop which establishes a signal transfer function, STF, and a quantization noise transfer function, NTF, of the sigma delta modulator, wherein the sigma delta modulator receives an input signal, x(n), and provides a modulated output signal, y(n) in response to the input signal. The method is characterized in comprising the step of controlling the sigma delta modulator to change the quantization noise transfer function, NTF, in response to a signal feature, A(n), which is correlated with the input signal.