ABI Research Finds Cirrus Logic Outperforms Mother Nature and Introduces World’s Smallest MEM Microphone

ABI Research’s teardown of a recently released high profile smartphone found that Cirrus Logic introduced the world’s smallest MEM microphone. It is 30% smaller than the smallest MEM microphone and less than half the size of MEM microphones typically found in mobile devices.

Miniature microphones are sometimes referred to as “bugs.” To put this in perspective, Cirrus Logic’s MEM microphone is one-sixth the size of a bed bug.

Jim Mielke, VP of Engineering at ABI Research, comments, “Rather than simply shrinking the typical MEM microphone, Cirrus Logic’s WM1706 MEM microphone, which ABI Research named after its die markings, is the first to integrate an amplifier/interface IC and the MEM sensor.”

Along with the record-setting MEM microphone, the phone has a Cirrus Logic audio codec. This codec sits alongside a Qualcomm MSM8939 chipset, a Skyworks power amplifier, Qorvo RF switches and a Broadcom NFC solution.

These findings are part of ABI Research’s TeardownIQ, which includes a parts list, high-res photos, and power and performance testing.

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