Radio frequency MEMS devices for improved wireless performance for hearing assistance devices

• US 9,986,347 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2015
• Issued: 05/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Haubrich, Gregory John, Solum, Jeffrey Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Etesam, Amir
• Application Number:
  US14/751,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20150304783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 381311
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/003 Mems transducers or their use of the electrostatic type H04R19/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/0216 BTE hearing aids having a receiver in the ear mould
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/023 Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/025 In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Abstract

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless electronics using a MEMS switch for a hearing assistance device. The present application relates to a hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes a housing for electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics. The wireless electronics include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS switches, in various embodiments. A hearing assistance processor is adapted to process signals for the wearer of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes an antenna, and a switchable capacitor bank configured for tuning the antenna, the switchable capacitor bank including one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches. The plurality of RF MEMS switches include an electrostatically deformed RF MEMS membrane, in an embodiment. Different configurations and approaches are provided.

Claims

1. A hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer, comprising:

a microphone;

a housing for the microphone and electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics, the wireless electronics including a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS switches, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS switches includes an impedance matching element;

a hearing assistance processor adapted to process signals from the microphone for the wearer of the hearing assistance device;

an antenna; and

a switchable capacitor bank configured for tuning the antenna, the switchable capacitor bank including one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches configured for tuning by adjusting voltage applied to the one or more switches.

2. The hearing assistance device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of RF MEMS switches includes MEMS capacitors including an electrostatically deformed RF MEMS membrane.

3. The hearing assistance device of claim 2, wherein the electrostatically deformed RF MEMS membrane is suspended at a periphery of an antenna.

4. The hearing assistance device of claim 2, wherein the electrostatically deformed RF MEMS membrane is suspended at one end of an antenna.

5. The hearing assistance device of claim 1, further comprising;

a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO); and

a switchable capacitor bank configured for tuning the VCO, the switchable capacitor bank including one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches.

6. The hearing assistance device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches is configured as a transmit/receive switch.

7. The hearing assistance device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches is configured to switch to connect a RF MEMS resonator used in a transceiver.

8. The hearing assistance device of claim 7, wherein the RF MEMS resonator includes a wine-glass shaped resonator.

9. The hearing assistance device of claim 7, wherein the RF MEMS resonator includes a disc shaped resonator.

10. The hearing assistance device of claim 7, wherein the RF MEMS resonator includes an aluminum-nitride resonator.

11. The hearing assistance device of claim 7, wherein the RF MEMS resonator includes a piezoelectric resonator.

12. The hearing assistance device of claim 7, wherein the RF MEMS resonator includes one or more of an RF pre-selector, RF filter, image filter, IF filter, VCO tank circuit, or part of an impedance matching circuit.

13. The hearing assistance device of claim 1, wherein the hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid.

14. The hearing assistance device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.

15. The hearing assistance device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid.

16. The hearing assistance device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.

17. The hearing assistance device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a invisible-in-canal (ITC) hearing aid.

18. The hearing assistance device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.

19. A hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer, comprising:

a microphone;

a housing for the microphone and electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics, the wireless electronics including a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS switches, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS switches includes an impedance matching element;

a hearing assistance processor adapted to process signals from the microphone for the wearer of the hearing assistance device;

a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO); and

a switchable capacitor bank configured for tuning the VCO, the switchable capacitor bank including one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches configured for tuning by adjusting voltage applied to the one or more switches.

20. A hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer, comprising:

a microphone;

a housing for the microphone and electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics, the wireless electronics including a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS switches, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS switches includes an impedance matching element, and

a hearing assistance processor adapted to process signals from the microphone for the wearer of the hearing assistance device, wherein one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches is configured as a transmit/receive switch and one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches is included in a switchable capacitor bank and configured for tuning by adjusting voltage applied to the one or more switches.