Microphones

Basic Description

Microphones are acoustic-to-electric transducers that convert sound in the form of acoustic pressure fluctuations into electrical signals. The most widely used microphones for automotive applications are condenser microphones due to their high accuracy and stability.

Condenser microphones consists of a highly stressed thin metal diaphragm (5 mm) and a backplate that acts as an electrode located very close to the metal diaphragm (15 to 30 mm). A variable capacitor is thus formed as the diaphragm moves in response to acoustic pressure variations.

Manufacturers

Andrea Electronics, B&K, Bosch, Bose, ISL products, Onosokki, Shure

For More Information

[1] Microphone, Wikipedia.

[2] Engineering Acoustics/Microphone Design and Operation, Wikibooks, Oct. 2009.

[3] Types of Microphones, HowStuffWorks.com, Apr. 1, 2001.

[4] How Do Microphones Work?, Mediacollege.com.

[5] Dynamic times for MEMS Microphones, Jeremie Bouchaud and Richard Dixon, iSuppli.com, 2009. [pdf]