How to Use ICS-43434: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The ICS-43434 is a high-performance, low-power digital MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) microphone designed for audio applications. It features a small form factor, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and low power consumption, making it ideal for use in portable devices such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable electronics. The ICS-43434 outputs audio data in a Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) format, which is commonly used in digital audio systems.

• Smartphones and tablets
• Wearable devices
• Smart home devices (e.g., voice assistants)
• Audio recording and processing systems
• Noise-canceling systems
• IoT devices with voice input functionality

The ICS-43434 is designed to deliver high-quality audio performance while maintaining low power consumption. Below are the key technical details:

The ICS-43434 has a total of 5 pins. The table below describes each pin and its function:

The ICS-43434 is straightforward to use in digital audio systems. Below are the steps and considerations for integrating it into a circuit:

1. Power Supply: Connect the VDD pin to a stable power supply within the range of 1.62V to 3.63V. Connect the GND pin to the ground of the circuit.
2. Clock Signal: Provide a clock signal (CLK) to the microphone. The clock frequency should typically range from 1 MHz to 3.25 MHz.
3. Data Output: The PDM audio data is output through the DATA pin. This data can be processed by a microcontroller or digital signal processor (DSP).
4. Channel Selection: Use the LRSEL pin to configure the microphone as either the left or right channel in a stereo setup:
   • Connect LRSEL to GND for the left channel.
   • Connect LRSEL to VDD for the right channel.

• Decoupling Capacitor: Place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor close to the VDD pin to reduce noise and ensure stable operation.
• Clock Signal Quality: Ensure the clock signal is clean and within the specified frequency range to avoid audio distortion.
• PCB Layout: Minimize the trace length for the DATA and CLK lines to reduce signal degradation and noise interference.

The ICS-43434 can be connected to an Arduino UNO for basic audio data acquisition. Below is an example wiring and code snippet:

// Example code for reading PDM data from ICS-43434 using Arduino UNO
// Note: This example assumes the use of an external PDM library for processing.

#include <PDM.h> // Include a PDM library for handling PDM data

// Buffer to store PDM data
#define BUFFER_SIZE 256
int16_t pdmBuffer[BUFFER_SIZE];

// Callback function to handle incoming PDM data
void onPDMData() {
  // Read PDM data into the buffer
  int bytesAvailable = PDM.available();
  PDM.read(pdmBuffer, bytesAvailable);
  
  // Process the PDM data (e.g., convert to PCM or analyze audio)
  // Add your audio processing code here
}

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication for debugging
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
  // Configure PDM microphone
  if (!PDM.begin(1, 16000)) { // Mono channel, 16 kHz sample rate
    Serial.println("Failed to initialize PDM microphone!");
    while (1);
  }
  
  // Set the callback function for PDM data
  PDM.onReceive(onPDMData);
  
  Serial.println("PDM microphone initialized successfully.");
}

void loop() {
  // Main loop does nothing; PDM data is handled in the callback
}

1. No Audio Output:

   • Ensure the clock signal is being provided to the CLK pin.
   • Verify that the VDD and GND connections are secure.
   • Check the LRSEL pin configuration for the correct channel selection.

2. Distorted Audio:

   • Verify that the clock frequency is within the specified range (1 MHz to 3.25 MHz).
   • Ensure the decoupling capacitor is properly placed near the VDD pin.

3. High Noise Levels:

   • Minimize the length of the DATA and CLK traces on the PCB.
   • Ensure proper grounding to reduce interference.

Q: Can the ICS-43434 be used in a stereo configuration?
A: Yes, you can use two ICS-43434 microphones in a stereo setup by configuring one microphone as the left channel (LRSEL = GND) and the other as the right channel (LRSEL = VDD).

Q: What is the maximum distance between the microphone and the microcontroller?
A: To minimize signal degradation, keep the DATA and CLK lines as short as possible, ideally less than 10 cm.

Q: Does the ICS-43434 support analog output?
A: No, the ICS-43434 outputs digital audio data in PDM format only.