MEMS ultrasound microspeaker takes on open-backed applications

New Products | November 19, 2024

By Peter Clarke

MEMS Speakers Microspeakers

xMEMS Labs Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.) is introducing a 1mm-thin MEMS microspeaker suitable for smart watches, XR glasses and open-fit earbuds.

The use of an all-silicon MEMS-based design allows the product – called Sycamore – to be one seventh the volume and one-third the thickness of conventional electromagnetic dynamic driver based speakers.

Sycamore is based on xMEMS’ “sound-from-ultrasound” technology introduced in a microspeaker at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.

xMEMS preps sound-from-ultrasound MEMS microspeaker

Unlike the first-of-its-kind xMEMS Cypress microspeaker, which delivers full-range audio for occluded, in-ear, active noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds, Sycamore is designed to perform in open-air listening devices. As well as being one-third the thickness of dynamic drivers Sycamore requires less back volume.

Sycamore can match mid-bass performance of legacy drivers while offering as much as 11dB headroom in sub-bass extension xMEMS claims. Above 5kHz Sycamore offers up to 15dB higher output than legacy drivers, making it suitable as a tweeter alternative for laptops, automotive and portable Bluetooth speakers.

“With better performance at both the low and high ends, Sycamore delivers powerful, full-range audio for smart watches, smart glasses, and any other small, mobile form factor that engineers dream up,” said Mike Housholder, xMEMS’ vice president of marketing, in a statement. He added: “In smartphones, Sycamore offers a higher-quality earpiece speaker for clearer calls and greater privacy. In cars, Sycamore’s size, weight and performance makes it a micro-sized tweeter for headrests, headliner and pillar placements.”

Sycamore measures just 8.41mm by 9mm by 1.13mm, weighs 150mg and is IP58 rated making it moisture and sweat-resistant.

Sycamore is made using the same fabrication process as the Cypress microspeaker and the XMC-2400 microfan for chips (see 1mm-thick active micro-cooling ‘fan on a chip’). Sycamore will sample in 1Q25 with mass production due to start 4Q25.