Time is of the essence. When an active shooting occurs, the key to preventing and/or minimizing injuries and death is quickly identifying exactly where the shooter is, end the threat and then treat and transport victims. Gunshots have unique audio characteristics so microphones can detect and provide information for location analysis. With its ShotSpotter site […]
Microphones
What is photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS)?
Identified in the 19th century, the photoacoustic effect allows the conversion of light into sound and has been employed in devices such as non-dispersive infrared absorption spectroscopy (NDIR), which was the first commercially available device to detect gases using this effect. Modulating the light intensity produces a periodic pressure variation, which is measured with a […]
What does it take to overcome audio noise?
At Sensor Expo 2019, Edoardo Gallizio from product marketing for MEMS & Sensors in the Americas at STMicroelectronics explains a voice recognition demo using sensor fusion that was development in conjunction with partner bdSound. The system is a reference design that uses ST’s MP23DB01HP digital microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone and the LIS25BA audio accelerometer to […]
How does sensor fusion improve an alarm system?
At Sensors Expo 2019, Tanja Hofner, a Principal Hardware Engineer for RF and Sensors in Infineon’s Power Management and Multimarket segment explains the operation of the company’s Integrated Alarm System demo. The demo uses two Infineon sensors: the digital XENSIV IM69D130 microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone and a DPS310 digital barometric pressure sensor as well as […]
What types of sensors are used in robots? Part 1 of 2
Fully functional human robots, such as those being developed by Boston Dynamics, need numerous sensors to simulate a variety of human and beyond human capabilities. For the human part, the sensors provide the ability to see, hear, touch and move. In general, industrial robots employ sensors for a variety of activities. Some sensors provide environmental […]
How can a sensor help determine the onset of labor?
At CES2017, Molly Dickens from Bloomlife explains how a sensor in the company’s smart pregnancy wearable allows a pregnant woman to automatically track and monitor the timing and duration of contractions. The passive sensor listens to the muscle activity similar to a heart monitor in hospitals. The application demonstrates what can be done with today’s […]
How can a sensor prevent snoring?
At CES 2017, Behrouz Hariri, CEO & Co-founder of Smart Nora explains how a microphone in his company’s system listens for the earliest indication of snoring. Since people transition from breathing to snoring at around 40 to 42 dB, once this level is detected, an inflatable portion of the system beneath the pillow creates a […]
How can Alexa lock a door?
At CES 2017, Paul Gerhardt, Cofounder of Lockitron demonstrates how the voice recognition capabilities of Alexa’s microphone (pressure sensor) and software can be used to remotely lock (or unlock) his company’s Bolt smart lock. Cloud to cloud integration allows the user to trigger Alexa remotely.
MEMS Microphone Employs Energy Harvesting
At the MEMS & Sensors Group Executive Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, Matt Crowley, the CEO of Vesper Technologies, demonstrates his company’s wake on sound MEMS microphone. The VM1010 prototype uses the piezoelectric MEMS microphone as a piezoelectric energy harvester for saving power with an always on voice mode. For more information, click here.
MEMS Microphones – The Next Big Sensor for IoT Devices
In this Frank Talk about Sensors, Randy Frank talks to Paul Beckmann of DSP Concepts about MEMS Microphones. For more information about DSP Concepts, click here.
