Wolfson Microelectronics WM7210/WM7220 digital microphone

Wolfson Microelectronics has launched its next-generation digital silicon micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) microphones, the WM7210 and the WM7220.

They combine low power consumption, good audio capture, signal-to-noise ratio of 58 dB, low total harmonic distortion and a miniature low-profile package, making them suitable for applications including mobile phones, PCs, portable media players, digital still cameras and navigation devices.

The devices complement the company’s high-volume family of analog MEMS microphones which was announced in 2008. Based on proprietary CMOS/MEMS membranes, the mics deliver high reliability and performance and can withstand the high temperatures needed for automated flow solder assembly.

They help save battery life with ultra-low sleep-mode power consumption. When the clock delivered to the microphones drops below a specified frequency, they automatically power down into a sleep mode.

Each device incorporates an ADC which outputs a single bit pulse density modulated format audio data stream, while the microphone output can be defined for left or right configuration.