USound’s Vision is to be at the forefront of the digital transformation of the loudspeaker market. USound will be a recognised design house for innovative and high-quality acoustic system solutions based on the unique features of the MEMS technology. USound will achieve this by pursuing a fabless business model, concentrating on its core technological competences: audio and MEMS technology, ASIC integration and manufacturing know-how, as well as IP protection and exploitation.
Digitization in manufacturing is a development that will shape the economy for decades to come. The technology of USound is another milestone in this revolution when it comes to the manufacturing process of devices with audio functions.
The loudspeaker is the last component, which has not yet been digitised due to technical restraints. Therefore, loudspeakers are difficult to integrate in the manufacturing flow, which causes manifold problems for manufacturers of micro-electronic devices. It is the only component with an analogue input, making proper EMC (Electro-magnetic compatibility) design a challenge in an otherwise completely digital layout. A digital component with standardised interface, inherently EMC-proof, that can be mounted within the reflow process, is needed and USound is able to deliver that. The piezoelectric digital MEMS loudspeaker technology of USound facilitates fully automated manufacturing processes, while also improving sound quality, reducing the form factor and power requirements. Furthermore, as there is no magnet to drive the sound production, there is no need for rare earths elements, which are used to produce magnets. It also eliminates the magnetic field, which interferes with sensors next to it.
Due to the use of Si (Silicon), which is widely available without negative effects, and because no rare earth elements are needed (i.e. as for magnets), the production has less environmental impact compared to standard loudspeakers. Furthermore, the low power consumption saves energy.
USound’s technology is part of a digital revolution in manufacturing, which brings manifold changes to society. Advantages of this change in the production process include higher production rates and increased productivity, more efficient use of materials, better product quality, improved safety, shorter/more flexible work schedules, and reduced factory lead times.
The objective of this project was to exploit piezo MEMS technology to its full capacity and introduce “Kore”, the next generation MEMS speaker under the product name Conamara to the market. Compared to USound’s first generation of MEMS-based loudspeakers, Kore is hexagonal instead of rectangular, making it more efficient in terms of the use of space in small wearables; it is also overall smaller in terms of form-factor and more powerful in SPL.
