Wolfson – First top and bottom port silicon MEMS mics with matching frequency responses (WM7121)

Designed to deliver outstanding audio quality to a wide range of consumer electronics applications, Wolfson Microelectronics has announced the introduction of the WM7121 and WM7132, its first high-performance top and bottom port silicon analogue micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphones with matching frequency responses.

High-definition (HD) video is now expected as standard in most portable consumer electronic devices, and with an estimated 70% of under-18 year olds capturing video on their mobile phones every week, the need for HD audio to match the HD video in their devices has never been greater.

With a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 65dB, ultra-low distortion and matching responses across the frequency band from 10Hz to 20kHz, the WM7121 and the WM7132 deliver superior HD audio quality and highly authentic audio recordings for a wide variety of portable applications including mobile phones, Bluetooth headsets, navigation devices, gaming consoles and both digital still and digital video cameras.

As well their matching frequency responses, the WM7121 and WM7132 microphones also feature matching phase responses and matching sensitivity, making them ideal for stereo recording and much easier for designers to integrate into their systems. Both devices are also available with market-leading sensitivity tolerance of ±1dB.

Eadaoin Doherty, Wolfson’s product line manager for MEMS microphones, said: “The WM7121 and WM7132 are among the first microphones in the industry to offer matching frequency responses. This feature, as well as their matching phase responses and sensitivity, ensures that these microphones are easy to integrate and result in truly authentic audio recordings and crystal-clear audio playback.”

The WM7121 and WM7132 both incorporate Wolfson’s proprietary CMOS / MEMS membrane technology, offering high reliability and high performance in a miniature, low profile package. Both parts are designed to withstand the high temperatures associated with automated flow solder assembly processes, which can often damage conventional microphones, making them ideal for high-volume manufacturing, says the company.