Analog front-end circuitry for ultrasound signal processing

Abstract

In example embodiments, an apparatus includes a microphone, an emitter follower stage having an input coupled to the microphone, and an amplifier stage coupled to an output of the emitter follower stage. The amplifier stage is powered by a positive voltage regulator and a negative voltage regulator. In some embodiments, the microphone and the emitter follower stage are both referenced to a ground connection and are both biased by the positive voltage regulator. The output of the emitter follower stage may have an impedance that is an order of magnitude less than an impedance of the microphone. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be used to detect ultrasonic signals, such as those emitted by animals such as bats, rodents, and pest insects.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.