MEMS everywhere, finally its in speakers too

Using of MEMS microphone in mobile phones and such audio communication/recording devices is more common now due to the advantages of MEMS microphone offers over other types of microphones. It is now the time for speakers to use mems technology for converting electrical signal into audio. The MEMS expert STMicroelectronics is working with the MEMS audio specialist company USound GmbH in making MEMS speakers. Fast-growing headphone market can be a best target for these components, where 340 million headphones are expected to be shipped in 2016 according to some market research companies. STMicroelectronics and USound GmbH are working together to industrialise and produce world’s first miniature piezoelectric MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) actuators for smart audio systems in portable devices. The patented micro-speaker technology from USound replaces commonly used balanced-armature and electrodynamic receivers for handsets with a small piezo-MEMS actuator. Manufactured using ST’s industry-leading thin-film piezo-electric (TFP) technology, these actuators will improve scalability and cost while assuring lower power consumption and heat dissipation in hearables and smartphones devices, without compromising audio quality, according to ST. “USound’s technology and the transition to piezo-MEMS actuators will bring semiconductor reliability, manufacturing effici...