Integrated Microphone Codec Chip Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microphone systems require multiple intermediate processing chips, increasing complexity, size, power requirements, and cost, which leads to user dissatisfaction due to noise interference and inefficiencies in signal processing.

Innovation Solution

A single microphone assembly integrates a MEMS device, DSP chip, and analog interface with noise reduction structures like Faraday cages and shielding to minimize noise interference and reduce the number of intermediate processing chips, optimizing signal processing within a compact package.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple intermediate processing chips are used, then signal processing functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple intermediate processing chips into a single integrated codec chip that includes both the analog-to-digital converter and digital signal processing engine. This merging eliminates the need for separate processing chips while maintaining full signal processing functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving signal processing capabilities and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple intermediate processing chips are used, then signal processing is enabled, but the size of the acoustic capture device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the analog interface, analog-to-digital converter, and digital signal processing engine into a single codec chip. This consolidation reduces the physical footprint of the acoustic capture device by eliminating the need for multiple separate processing chips and reducing the overall component count, while preserving complete signal processing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple intermediate processing chips are used, then processing capability is achieved, but power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoidpower requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates the analog-to-digital converter and digital signal processing engine into a single integrated codec chip. This integration reduces power requirements by eliminating redundant circuitry, reducing signal transmission distances between components, and enabling more efficient power management within the unified chip architecture, while maintaining full signal processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple intermediate processing chips are used, then signal processing is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing functionalityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple processing functions into a single codec chip, reducing the total component count and assembly complexity. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs by reducing the number of chips that need to be sourced, tested, and assembled, while maintaining complete signal processing functionality through the integrated analog interface, ADC, and DSP engine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution provides low power signal processing with reduced noise interference, lower system power requirements, and cost, while maintaining high-quality audio performance even in noisy conditions.

Implementation Method 1

noise reduction structures like Faraday cages and shielding to minimize noise interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFaraday cage: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS9554214B2Signal processing platform in an acoustic capture device

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 KNOWLES ELECTRONICS LLC

AI summary

A microphone includes a base, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device disposed on the base, and a front end processing apparatus disposed on the base and coupled to the MEMS device, the front end processing apparatus being configured to convert analog signals received from the MEMS device into digital signals. The microphone also includes a DSP apparatus, the DSP apparatus being a digital programmed device with a computer memory, the DSP apparatus configured to process the digital signals received from the front end processing apparatus. The MEMS device, the front end processing apparatus, and DSP apparatus are enclosed within a single microphone enclosure or assembly. During operation the DSP apparatus generates DSP noise. The DSP apparatus includes a noise reduction structure that substantially prevents the DSP noise from reaching or interfering with the operation of the MEMS device or the front end processing apparatus.