MEMS microphones for wireless applications

MEMS microphones are miniature microphones, usually in the form of a surface mount device, which use a micromachined pressure-sensitive diaphragm as a way to pick up sound waves. They are steadily becoming more powerful and space efficient, and their audio data quality is already equal to or better than the previously ubiquitous electret condenser microphones. These characteristics, together with their low cost and small-form factor, makes them ideal for wireless applications in consumer products and wireless sensor networks. This chapter explores the uses and potential of MEMS microphones in wireless consumer products, acoustic noise wireless sensor networks, and sound source localization applications with microphone arrays.