SensiBel Launched NOVA32 Acoustic Array Hardware
The 32-microphone array simplifies development for high-precision audio and AI sensing applications.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Semiconductors
Live Poll
Do you believe new specialized hardware tools make it easier for developers to build AI applications?
SensiBel has launched the NOVA32, a hardware kit that aggregates 32 optical MEMS microphones into a single 24-bit USB interface. This announced development enables researchers to plug the array directly into systems like NVIDIA Jetson for acoustic-detection projects.
Why it matters
The kit accelerates the prototyping of multi-channel audio systems by integrating complex hardware components like FPGAs and analog-to-digital converters into a single, pre-synchronized platform. It arrives as demand grows for high-fidelity acoustic input in AI-driven sensing environments.
The NOVA32 captures audio with a 132dB dynamic range and a 146dB acoustic overload point. It uses an XMOS XCORE.AI processor to synchronize multi-channel data into a unified 32-channel stream.
The players
SensiBel
An Oslo-based developer specializing in optical MEMS microphone technology for high-performance audio sensing.
XMOS
A semiconductor company focused on intelligent processing chips, including the XCORE.AI architecture used for edge AI.
The details
The system utilizes optical MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems — microscopic mechanical structures etched onto silicon) microphones to convert sound waves into electrical signals. By consolidating 32 channels into one USB connection, the hardware eliminates the need for external FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays — integrated circuits designed to be configured by the user after manufacturing) to manage complex signal routing and analog-to-digital conversion.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: SensiBel launched the NOVA32 hardware kit.
The Tech Race
SensiBel is competing to standardize high-density acoustic capture for developers, moving away from fragmented, multi-board custom builds. This kit aligns with a broader industry trend of simplifying peripheral hardware for the NVIDIA Jetson AI development platform.
The kit offers plug-and-play compatibility with Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it immediately accessible for professional audio engineers and AI developers. Users can expect a reduced design cycle for complex acoustic applications, though specific pricing has not been disclosed.
The takeaway
The NOVA32 moves high-performance acoustic sensing from specialized, bespoke lab equipment toward a more accessible development format. Developers should watch for future benchmark releases from SensiBel that quantify the array's performance in specific edge-AI spatial tracking tasks.
Further reading
Find more on the evolution of audio hardware and sensor integration at Semiconductors.
More information
View full technical specifications and documentation on the NOVA32 evaluation kit information page.
Live Poll
Do you believe new specialized hardware tools make it easier for developers to build AI applications?
