Figure 3. Block diagram of the VM1010. (Image courtesy of Vesper)
This microphone employs a rugged piezoelectric transducer that is immune to dust, water, oils, humidity, particles and other environmental contaminants, making it suitable for deployments outdoors or in kitchens and automobiles. Completely waterproof, a second video shows the hydrophone capability of the VM1010. This opens up so many new markets and possibilities for designers.
An ideal feature of any design that uses this quiescent sensor is that essentially no power will be consumed until the appropriate stimulus occurs. To date, Peter Cooney, principal analyst and director, SAR Insight & Consulting claims that no company has demonstrated this in an actual commercial device. Therefore, in an ‘always on’ case, this solution has the potential to advance quiescent sensing into the commercial realm, enabling a new era of ubiquitous ‘always on’ sensors that can run indefinitely on small batteries.
A proof-of-concept board was used to test and evaluate performance (Figure 4).
Figure 4. The VM1010 proof-of-concept board used to evaluate and test performance. (Image courtesy of Vesper)
Engineering samples of VM1010 are available now to highly qualified customers developing technologically advanced systems. Production samples will be available in Q4 2016.
Vesper; https://vespermems.com/
