Analog Microphone sensitivity | Digital Microphone sensitivity
This page describes Analog Microphone sensitivity and Digital Microphone sensitivity. It mentions equations of these microphone sensitivity types.
Sensitivity definition:
It is the ratio of analog output voltage or digital output value to input pressure.
It is key parameter for the microphone.
The equation-1 for microphone sensitivity is expressed above. It is typically measured with 1 KHz sinewave at 94 dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level) or 1 Pa (Pascal) pressure.
As mentioned magnitude of analog output or digital output from the microphone with input stimulus is measured as sensitivity.
Analog Microphone Sensitivity
The equation-2 is used for sensitivity of analog microphone. The unit is mV/Pa in linear units. This can be expressed in dBV as per this equation. Here OutputAREF is equal to reference output ratio of 1000 mV/Pa (i.e. 1 V/Pa).
Digital Microphone Sensitivity
The equation-3 is used for sensitivity of digital microphone. It is measured as percentage of full scale output generated by 94 dB SPL input.
As the output units of both analog microphone and digital microphone are different; it is difficult to have performance comparison between these two types of microphones.
Microphone related links
Microphone basics and types
Microphone vs Loudspeaker
MEMS Microphone