Contents

Introduction Resistive Microphones Condenser Microphones Moving-coil Microphones (dynamic) Fiber-optic Microphones Piezoelectric Microphones Ultrasonic Sensors Surface acoustic wave sensors (SAW) Conclusion

Introduction

Acoustic waves, are mechanical waves that can be produced in solid, liquid or gas medium Human ear is able to detect acoustic waves from 20Hz to 20KHz (Sound) Acoustic waves below 20Hz are called infrasound and above 20KHz are called ultrasound

Introduction

Acoustic sensors are basically pressure sensors Audible range acoustic sensors are called microphones Used in Military, Automotive, Industrial, Medical Operate at minimum cost and power consumption, provide high precision in wide range of frequencies

Extrinsic or external variable is pressure applied by acoustic wave and strain inside the sensor as an intrinsic variable

Resistive Microphones

Resistive microphone or carbon microphone, has two metal plates, between them filled with carbon granules. One plate is very thin, is faced to the incoming sound wave (diaphragm) The pressure on the granules varies, the electrical resistance between the plates changes Due to constant voltage, changing resistance results in changing current

Resistive Microphones

Before vacuum tube amplifiers in 1920s, carbon microphones were the only practical means of obtaining high-level audio signals

Were widely used in telephone systems Disadvantages: limited frequency response and high noise level (low SNR)

Condenser Microphones

Diaphragm acts as one plate of a capacitor Acoustic wave produces the vibration in diaphragm Capacitance changes(C=Q/V), V is constant, therefore Q changes, i=dQ/dt, current signal is generated

Condenser Microphones

Good sensitivity, due to the very small mass that must be moved by sound wave, unlike other microphone types They generally produce a high-quality audio signal Popular choice in laboratory and recording studio applications Using a mechanical feedback can improve the linearity and frequency range of a condenser microphone

Moving-coil Microphones (dynamic)

Diaphragm is fixedly connected to a solenoid coil Diaphragm moves due to the hitting acoustic waves, the coil also moves in a static permanent magnetic field Electromagnetic induction (EMF) V=-d/dt (induced voltage)

Moving-coil Microphones (dynamic)

Low sensitivity, diaphragm is connected to the coil , acoustic wave has to move the diaphragm and the coil at the same time Robust against mechanical loads and withstand high sound pressure levels They do not require power supply Simple design allows economical production Dynamic microphones are not as sensitive as condenser microphones, and are not suitable for instudio productions or film work

Fiber-optic microphones

Two fibers are fused together to prepare interference between incoming and outgoing light beams Reference fused fiber core end, is covered with aluminum to make its surface mirror reflective Other arm serves as sensing arm, light exits the ber, hits the copper diaphragm, and reflects back

Fiber-optic microphones

Depending on the position of the diaphragm, the phase of the reected light will vary While traveling together to the output detector, the reference and sensing lights interfere with one another, resulting in the light-intensity modulation Advantages: Does not contain metal, therefore has a long operational life. Immune to external EMI/RFI fields Very high bandwidth, outstanding audio clarity Can work in extreme temperature and humidity, and strong vibrations

Piezoelectric Microphones

A piezoelectric crystal can directly convert the mechanical stress to the electrical charge One type of such sensor consists of a piezoelectric ceramic disk with two electrodes deposited on each side In another design, Diaphragm is mechanically coupled to piezoelectric element

Piezoelectric Microphones

Can operate up to a very high frequency limit Used in voice-command devices and blood pressure measurement devices Desgin of sensor for non damping acoustic waves is simple The output impedance of the microphone is very high, a high-input-impedance amplifier is required

Ultrasonic sensors

Sending and receiving back the reflected acoustic waves (above 20kHz) Time of flight (distance of target), Doppler shift (speed of target) Main components: active element (Piezoelectric), backing (damping back vibrations) and wears plate (protection)

Ultrasonic sensors

Extensively used in military, industry and medicine Examination of eyes (Eye axis length measurement) Checking the blood vessels for an abnormal wall Diagnosis of internal organs, watching fetal growth and health condition of the pregnant women

Surface acoustic wave sensors (SAW)

SAW sensors , utilize acoustic wave as the sensing mechanism Acoustic wave propagates on the surface of the sensor material, the velocity or amplitude of the wave changes due to any change in the propagation path The frequency or phase characteristics of the output signal is related to the physical quantity is being measured Piezoelectric substrate materials used in SAW: quartz (SiO2), lithium tantalate (LiTaO3)

Piezoelectric substrate Interdigited transducer Delayline

Surface acoustic wave sensors (SAW)

Application in, industry, automotive, consumer electronics, military ,aerospace, and healthcare Currently, temperature, pressure, torque, and viscosity SAW sensors reached complete commercialization Moving towards MEMS technology, because of robustness, excellent sensitivity, surface conformability and durability

Future of Acoustic Sensors

Moving towards Nano-electromechanical sensors (systems) (NEMS) Batch fabrication causes reduced manufacturing cost & time Nano-components make the system faster, more reliable, more portable, cheaper, low power consumption, easily & massively employed, easily maintained & replaced Easy to integrate into systems or modify Little harm to environment and capable of incorporating

Thank you

Laser Microphone

A laser microphone converts vibrations inside the solid materials, using laser beams that hit the distant objects and get reflected Laser microphones can be used to measure body sound of objects with precision and without contact

Ribbon Microphone

A ribbon microphone is an electro-acoustic transducer that operates like all dynamic microphones on the principle of electromagnetic induction The membrane of the ribbon microphone is a zigzag folded aluminum strips

The movement in the magnetic field induces V=-d/dt

Electret Microphone

The electret material is capable of holding a fixed electric charge, which does not decay with time When acoustic wave hits the diaphragm, it moves back and forth, changing the distance of the two plates of capacitor, which creates a voltage difference

Hearing Aids

Its a device that amplifies the sound All hearing aids include: Microphone : Gets the sounds and voices from the surrounding Electronic part: Amplifies the signals from the microphone Speaker/Receiver: Transfers the amplified sounds to the inner ear Batteries

Hearing Aids

References 1. https://en.wikipedia.org 2. https://de.wikipedia.org 3. http://www.ndk.com 4. http://www.olympus-ims.com 5. http://www.sensorwiki.org 6. HANDBOOK OF MODERN SENSORS PHYSICS, DESIGNS, AND APPLICATIONS , THIRD EDITION JACOB FRADEN

References

7. ACOUSTIC WAVE TECHNOLOGY SENSORS, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 49, NO. 4, APRIL 2001 8. SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE SENSORS (SAWS): DESIGN FOR APPLICATION

References

JARED KIRSCHNER Design, SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE SENSORS (SAWS), DESIGN FOR FABRICATION. MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS. DECEMBER 6, 2010