AIStorm and DB HiTek Debut SpectroMic KWS Keyword-Spotting Solution

AIStorm, a provider of in-sensor edge solutions for imaging, audio, and biometrics, and DB HiTek, an analog and power specialty foundry, have released SpectroMic KWS, a keyword spotting solution that combines a MEMS microphone, a programmable amplifier, a charge pump, a smart voice activity detector (VAD) that can adapt to background noise, and a charge domain spectral engine  in a single mic package that draws just 18?µA in always-listening mode.

Models and software are available for multiple SpectroMic-compatible microcontrollers, including Raspberry?Pi?Pico-class devices, so developers can integrate keyword spotting to a wide range of consumer and industrial products. SpectroMic can wake the host microcontroller (MCU) only when acoustic activity of interest is detected and delivers a compact digital spectral image for local inference. Its smart VAD can be used to continuously adapt to background noise, minimizing power even in noisy environments, and maintains always-on operation, reduces false triggers and does not lose words emerging from low-power mode. Alternatively, the rolling buffer that stores past audio can be improved by storing compressed spectrum data instead of sample data, reducing buffer memory by eight times and power by?10 times.

With configurable downloadable models, SpectroMic supports multiple recognition libraries for popular Cortex M33 and RP2350 MCUs.

"AIStorm is a breakthrough for designers of low-power edge devices looking to add keyword spotting," said David Schie, CEO of AIStorm, in a statement. "SpectroMic's charge-domain spectral engine enables microcontrollers or GPUs of virtually any class to perform speech processing using AIStorm or third-party models, while the smart VAD keeps always-on power low, even in noisy environments. And for branded smart speaker-enabled devices, SpectroMic enables a compressed spectral rolling buffer capability which can slash the single largest power draw."

"SpectroMic is a paradigm-shifting AI audio solution, made possible by our high performance analog processes," said Rob Hultquist, senior vice president of U.S. sales at DB HiTek, in a statement. "Where most MEMS microphones simply stream high-power digital audio and trigger false wakes, SpectroMic uniquely adapts to its environment and delivers a pristine, low-power spectral feed. We are very pleased to be part of this groundbreaking development."