USound MEMS Speakers Technology and Applications
ABSTRACT
USound has been working for many years to develop a new technology that will enable radical innovation in next-generation portable audio products. Over the past few decades, while the consumer electronics industry has successfully miniaturized and digitized many components, traditional speakers remain bulky, heavy, and challenging to integrate. Audio is a critical feature in the product roadmaps of consumer electronics, even more so in the age of Artificial Intelligence, with advanced functionalities based on natural speech and vocal interactions with machines. MEMS speaker technology presents a perfect solution, offering a thin form factor, lightweight design, and ease of integration through reflow solderability.
We are proud to announce that our MEMS techology, including transducers and driving electronics, have achieved design-in success across several markets. Notably, our technology is being integrated into True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earphones, meeting performance targets for transparency features, Hi-Res Audio, and ultrasound-enabled functionalities. Additionally, the Hearing Aid market is expanding, particularly for products targeting mild hearing loss, with Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids and TWS consumer devices incorporating advanced hearing aid functionalities. Our technology has also reached maturity in specialized markets, such as Healthcare, where our MEMS speakers are utilized in MRI-compatible headphones, and in Industrial applications, where they are used in testing equipment for high-performance MEMS microphones.
BIOGRAPHY
Andrea Rusconi Clerici is a seasoned expert with 25 years of experience in the MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) industry. He has played a crucial role in MEMS Products across the entire value chain, from Intellectual Property (IP) management and Silicon Technology R&D to Design and Product Development, Engineering, and large-scale Manufacturing Operations. Andrea’s expertise spans diverse environments, including cutting-edge research at the Fraunhofer Institute, leadership positions in large corporations such as STMicroelectronics and Maxim Integrated, and driving innovation in start-ups like Sensordynamics and USound.
As the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of USound, Andrea has pioneered the development of a new generation of silicon-based micro speakers for sound and ultrasound applications resulting in the filing of over 40 patent families, underscoring his commitment to innovation and technological excellence. Under his technical leadership, the MEMS speakers have now been successfully introduced to the market, setting new industry standards for acoustics and for MEMS actuators.