Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI


A smart microphone that’s always listening

24 February 2016 Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI

Knowles announced the release of VoiceIQ, said to be the world’s first ‘always listening’ smart microphone capable of automatically adapting its performance to the acoustic environment and enabling voice interfaces on a mobile handset with significant power savings.

There is strong consumer demand for devices with advanced always-on capabilities, such as a voice-enabled digital assistant and hands-free interface. However, always-on capabilities traditionally require constant power, which either drains the battery of a mobile device or requires an electrical outlet. With VoiceIQ, manufacturers are free to provide these capabilities with a significantly lower impact on the battery life or tethering consumers to an electrical outlet.

To develop the smart microphone, Knowles’ engineers developed a new architecture of the audio system pathways, which integrates an ­audio processing algorithm with acoustic activity detection directly into a multi-mode digital microphone. By embedding an algorithm directly into the microphone, the solution recognises when the audio chain should be awakened and when it should remain in sleep mode. This adaptive process creates a positive impact on the battery life.

To extend the reach of voice-activated interfaces and ease the product design process, Knowles worked with Qualcomm Technologies International to pair VoiceIQ with the CSR8670 and CSR8675Bluetooth audio system-on-chip solutions. The CSR8670 and CSR8675 include an advanced audio DSP, an application processor with embedded Flash memory, a high-performance stereo codec, a power management subsystem and up to six digital microphone inputs that support manufacturers in the delivery of enhanced quality audio output and create feature rich devices.

Housed in a 3,50 x 2,65 x 0,98 mm package, VoiceIQ consumes just 0,4 mW at 1,8 V in ‘always listening’ mode.

For more information contact Andrew Hutton, RF Design, +27 (0)21 555 8400, andrew@rfdesign.co.za, www.rfdesign.co.za



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