Microphone Array Housing with Acoustic Extending Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microphone arrays in mobile communication devices often have center-to-center distances between microphone membranes that are insufficient for effective voice processing, leading to inadequate separation of desired voices from unwanted noises.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a microphone array with acoustic extending structures that increase the distance between acoustic openings and provide phase matching between membranes, utilizing an interface IC and separate sound paths to enhance signal reception and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If CMOS-MEMS technology is used to fabricate microphone arrays on a single chip, then the device size and pin count are reduced, but the center-to-center distance between microphone membranes becomes smaller than the minimum distance required for voice processing algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic extending structures that protrude from the main housing body, effectively extending the acoustic path length in the direction perpendicular to the membrane plane. This allows the acoustic distance to be increased without increasing the planar footprint of the device, resolving the contradiction between compact size and sufficient microphone spacing for voice processing algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If the center-to-center distance between microphone membranes is increased to meet voice processing requirements, then voice separation performance is improved, but the device size and housing volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic extending structures extend in the vertical dimension from the housing, allowing the acoustic path length to be increased while maintaining a compact planar footprint. This enables improved voice separation performance through increased effective microphone spacing without proportionally increasing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into distinct acoustic extending structures that can be independently optimized. Each extending structure serves a specific acoustic function, allowing the design to achieve the required acoustic distance while maintaining compact overall dimensions through strategic placement and configuration of these segmented acoustic paths.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively extends the microphone distance and improves signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and phase matching, enabling better separation of desired voices from unwanted noises.
Implementation Method 1
The first membrane receives a first acoustic signal via the first acoustic opening and the first acoustic extending structure. The second membrane receives a second acoustic signal via the second acoustic opening and the second acoustic extending structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a case, a microphone array housing consists of a first acoustic extending structure, a second acoustic extending structure, an interface IC, a first membrane and a second membrane. The case includes a first acoustic opening and a second acoustic opening. The first acoustic extending structure is connected to the first acoustic opening. The second acoustic extending structure is connected to the second acoustic opening. The first membrane receives a first acoustic signal via the first acoustic opening and the first acoustic extending structure. The second membrane receives a second acoustic signal via the second acoustic opening and the second acoustic extending structure.