Structure and Cost Analysis of Vesper's VM1000 Piezoelectric Microphone

Dublin, March 20, 2017 -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Vesper VM1000 Piezoelectric Microphone: Structure and Cost Analysis" report to their offering.

Vesper has developed the first piezoelectric MEMS technology microphone. This breaks new ground in the MEMS microphone world, which has been exclusively composed of capacitive silicon MEMS for more than ten years. It is a very robust technology. The VM1000 is an IP68 microphone, meaning it is water- and dustproof, taking a step towards the waterproof smartphone.

This piezoelectric microphone targets consumerapplications: smartphones, wearables and the Internet of Things (IoT). It also positions Vesper to compete with Knowles, Goertek, STMicroelectronics and others for applications in harsh environments.

Vesper's VM1000 microphone device is manufactured using a proprietary MEMS technology based on recent innovations in piezoelectric material for semiconductors and more precisely for the latest BAW filters.

The sensing element in the VM1000 is based on a flexible piezoelectric material membrane formed above a cavity. Sound moves the membrane, which generates an electric current. The VM1000 has a very complex design to optimize signal to noise ratio.

The VM1000 is naturally immune to water and dust, which qualifies it for the IP68 ingress protection rating. It is very stable over time and in harsh environments.

This report presents a detailed analysis of sensor structure and cost. It also compares characteristics with the Knowles and Goertek capacitive microphones for the iPhone 7, highlighting differences in technical choices made by the companies.

Key Topics Covered:

Overview / Introduction

Company Profile and Supply Chain

Physical Analysis

Package

- Package views and dimensions
- Package opening
- Package cross-section

ASIC die

- View, dimensions, and marking
- Delayering and process
- Cross-section

MEMS Die

- View, dimensions and marking
- Sensing area details
- Cavity
- Cantilever cross-section
- Cross-section
- Process characteristics

Comparison

Manufacturing Process Flow

ASIC front-end process

- ASIC wafer fabrication unit
- MEMS process flow
- MEMS wafer fabrication unit
- Packaging process flow
- Package assembly unit

Cost Analysis

Yield hypotheses

- ASIC front-end cost
- ASIC back-end 0: probe test and dicing
- ASIC wafer and die cost
- MEMS front-end cost
- MEMS back-end 0: probe test and dicing
- MEMS front-end cost per process step
- MEMS wafer and die cost
- Back-end: packaging cost
- Back-end: packaging cost per process step
- Back-end: final test cost
- Microphone component cost

Estimated Price Analysis

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8sgdgt/vesper_vm1000

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