xMEMS’ Silicon Speaker Revolutionizes Sound Experience with Ultrasound Technology

CES Las Vegas

xMEMS Labs has announced the Cypress solid-state MEMS speaker, a revolutionary technology that replaces traditional push-air sound reproduction with ultrasonic amplitude modulation transduction, providing rich, detailed, and high-fidelity sound across all audio frequencies for true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds.

Cypress speaker utilizes the unique characteristics of MEMS technology to produce high-resolution audio more efficiently
Cypress stands out with its 40x increase in low-frequency volume compared to xMEMS' previous generation speakers
Cypress' near-constant electrical-to-acoustic conversion time reduces complexity in digital signal processing (DSP) filters

xMEMS Labs, a leading innovator in solid-state micro speakers, has made a announcement that could revolutionize sound reproduction in true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds. The company has introduced the Cypress solid-state MEMS speaker, which replaces traditional push-air sound reproduction with its ultrasonic amplitude modulation transduction principle. This new technology allows for rich, detailed, and high-fidelity sound across all audio frequencies, providing a no-compromise alternative to the moving-coil concept used in consumer active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds.

Mike Housholder, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for xMEMS, explained the significance of this breakthrough: “By shifting to a sound from ultrasound principle, the xMEMS Cypress micro speaker can now officially replace traditional coil-and-magnet speakers in active noise canceling earbuds. Cypress maintains all of the benefits of xMEMS’ existing speakers while being 40x louder in low frequencies, achieving a key requirement for ANC earbuds.”

The Cypress speaker utilizes the unique characteristics of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology to produce high-resolution audio more efficiently. Unlike legacy coil speakers that generate sound in the audible band, Cypress takes advantage of the speed, precision, and uniformity of MEMS to create an ultrasonic wave that faithfully follows the amplitude of the audio signal. This ultrasonic wave is then demodulated to produce the intended audible sound with superior resolution and accuracy.

Jemm Liang, xMEMS CTO, emphasized the transformative nature of Cypress: “Cypress not only revolutionizes how sound can be reproduced from an electric signal, but it also redefines how it should be reproduced.”

The Cypress speaker builds upon xMEMS’ proven innovation in MEMS design. It offers faster mechanical response, near-zero phase shift, superior part-to-part phase consistency, and rigid silicon diaphragms that eliminate speaker breakup. These advantages result in unrivaled detail, clarity, separation, and spatial imaging accuracy. Additionally, Cypress is non-magnetic, reducing weight and electromagnetic interference.

In terms of performance, Cypress stands out with its 40x increase in low-frequency volume compared to xMEMS’ previous generation speakers. This improvement ensures stronger, deeper bass that rivals the best legacy coil speakers in the 10-12 mm range. Cypress can achieve sound pressure levels (SPL) greater than 140dB as low as 20 Hz.

The combination of MEMS and ultrasonic modulation makes Cypress particularly well-suited for ANC applications. Its increased low-frequency SPL contributes to wider ANC bandwidth, allowing for the cancellation of higher frequency noise sources. Moreover, Cypress’ near-constant electrical-to-acoustic conversion time reduces complexity in digital signal processing (DSP) filters, resulting in shorter Latency, fewer rounding errors, and lower power consumption during ANC processing.

While full-function Cypress prototypes are currently being sampled by select early customers, production-candidate samples of Cypress and the companion Alta controller/amplifier ASIC will be available in June 2024. Mass production is expected to commence later that year. xMEMS will showcase the Cypress technology by appointment only at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, NV.

For more information about xMEMS and its solid-state fidelity solutions, visit xmems.com.

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Background Information

About xMEMS: xMEMS is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of integrated systems for the computer, IT, and electronics industry. With over 25 years of experience in the technology fields, xMEMS provides a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products and solutions to satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers. Not only do they provide high-quality components, xMEMS is proactive in their approach to technology, with their team of experts taking initiative to create solutions to the most difficult problems in the IT and electronics industry. They pride themselves on staying ahead of the competition by continually introducing new and improved products to the market, offering excellent customer service, and providing comprehensive technical support. For anyone in the tech industry looking for high-quality components and solutions, xMEMS is an excellent option.

Event Info

About CES: CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, is an annual event held in Las Vegas, Nevada, organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). With a history dating back to 1967, it has become the world's premier platform for unveiling and exploring the latest innovations in consumer electronics and technology. Drawing exhibitors ranging from industry titans to startups across diverse sectors, including automotive, health and wellness, robotics, gaming, and artificial intelligence, CES transforms Las Vegas into a global tech hub, offering a glimpse into the future of technology through a wide array of showcases, from startup-focused Eureka Park to cutting-edge automotive and health tech exhibitions.

Technology Explained

ANC: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a technology that is used to reduce unwanted background noise in a variety of applications. It works by using microphones to detect the ambient noise and then producing an inverted sound wave to cancel it out. This technology is used in many computer applications, such as headphones, speakers, and sound cards. It is also used in noise-cancelling headphones, which are designed to reduce the amount of background noise that reaches the user's ears. ANC is also used in soundproofing applications, such as recording studios and soundproofed rooms. By reducing the amount of background noise, ANC allows for clearer sound recordings and improved sound quality.

Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

TWS: TWS stands for "True Wireless Stereo." It refers to wireless audio technology that enables two separate earbuds or speakers to connect to a device, usually a smartphone or other audio source, without the need for any physical cables between them. TWS devices can provide a stereo audio experience without the constraints of wires, offering greater freedom of movement.