By Tora Fridholm, Marketing Communications Manager, Codasip
In people's lives, acoustic applications are ubiquitous. Hearing aids for hearing-impaired patients, ultrasound examinations in hospitals, and environmental noise detection on the street are all very typical applications. With the continuous evolution of computing processing, security, network and other technologies, acoustic application equipment is also continuously improving its digitalization and intelligence, thereby bringing greater convenience and better experience to users.
Listen2Future is a project dedicated to improving the experience of human acoustic applications. It aims to create a MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) acoustic sensor solution combined with digital technology, so as to reduce neonatal mortality and improve the efficiency of hearing aids for the hearing-impaired. Make a breakthrough. Launched in February 2023, the project will last for three years and involve 27 organizations in seven European countries. It has received a total funding support of 30 million euros, part of which is provided by the European Union.
As the world's leading provider of custom processor IP and development tools, Codasip has also been paying attention to the field of acoustic applications. The company's innovation incubator Codasip Labs has been deeply involved in the Listen2Future project. The project will use Codasip's unique Codasip Studio design tool set to develop a custom RISC-V core for MEMS sensors, thereby facilitating the development and application of "digital ears" and bringing "sound" to all mankind.
The goal of Listen2Future is to create an efficient "digital ear"
Small MEMS sensors are often used in industrial and medical applications, including hearing aids and hands-free equipment, as well as ultrasound examinations during pregnancy, or examinations of the thyroid, liver, and heart. MEMS microphones usually need to ensure perfect sound quality with low power consumption, so that pregnant mothers can clearly hear the heartbeat of the fetus. But the technology has limitations, and the devices don't work equally well in every frequency range, can only provide snapshots, and tend to be bulky and expensive.
With this in mind, the Listen2Future project aims to create systems that are smarter, smaller, stronger, less power-efficient, and more mobile. In fact, the project research involves the entire development chain—from materials, design, signal processing, assembly and packaging technology, software development and artificial intelligence algorithms to integrated miniaturized systems and other total-stop solutions.
The project uses dedicated hardware accelerators/processors and AI-driven algorithms for real-time, integrated signal processing to enable state-of-the-art, intelligent, low-power acoustic systems. Not only would this allow devices such as miniature hearing aids to use less power, but it would also allow for more accurate ultrasound detection of infections in infants, helping to further reduce neonatal mortality. And, highly integrated and cost-effective MEMS technology from the Listen2Future project could make these devices affordable to everyone when they become widely available.
Currently, the project is led and coordinated by Infineon Austria. Sabine Herlitschka, CEO of Infineon Technologies Austria, comments: "Great innovations often occur at the interface of disciplines. This is especially true where medicine meets microelectronics, because we can leverage the combination of technologies. More precise detection and measurement of body signals creates enormous potential for improving healthcare.Through the Listen2Future project in Europe, we are working with talented partners from industry, medicine and science to demonstrate how a 'digital ear' can be used in Healthcare and beyond. A concerted effort is being made to make relevant contributions to this critical application area of acoustics."
RISC-V customization and data security
In the Listen2Future project, Codasip's RISC-V customization technology can provide perfect support. The Codasip Labs team will use Codasip Studio to customize the RISC-V core used in the project.
As a leading provider of processor solutions, Codasip provides custom computing by combining the open RISC-V ISA, Codasip Studio processor design automation toolset and high-quality processor IP. This innovative approach enables designers to easily customize and differentiate their designs to develop high-performance, game-changing products that truly transform their products.
In addition to computational processing, data security is also critical to the medical devices involved in the Listen2Future project, so the project will also include a scalable security suite. The Codasip Labs team will integrate essential security features into the system.
Specifically, a new encryption algorithm, Ascon, will be implemented in the project, which has a built-in authentication function and has recently been selected as a standard algorithm by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Ascon is a modern "lightweight" cryptography, especially suited for small, low-power IoT devices, making it ideal for data security functions for Listen2Future MEMS devices.
It can be said that by using a hardware/software co-design approach, Codasip will be able to provide the most efficient implementation. Learn more about RISC-V customization, hardware/software co-optimization, and custom computing here .
About Codasip
Codasip , as a leading provider of processor solutions, enables System-on-Chip (SoC) developers to design differentiated products to gain a competitive advantage. Customers can use Codasip Studio design automation tools, open architecture licenses and customizable RISC-V processor IP series to fully unlock the unlimited potential of RISC-V through custom computing. Headquartered in Europe, Codasip also serves the global market, and has achieved deployment in billions of chips. For more information visit: www.codasip.com.
About Codasip Labs
As Codasip's innovation center, Codasip Labs focuses on key application areas, including safety, functional safety and AI/ML, etc., with the purpose of identifying and building technologies to expand the infinite possibilities of custom computing, through customized, domain-specific design , speed up the time to market of differentiated products, and finally win the favor of the market.