Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. 
 
Qualcomm® cVc™ 
Two Microphone Handsfree  
Design Guidelines 
CS-225939-AN Rev.4   
September 26, 2016 
 
 
Confidential and Proprietary – Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. 
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Restricted Distribution: Not to be distributed to anyone who is not an employee of either Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. or its 
affiliated companies without the express approval of Qualcomm Configuration Management.  
Not to be used, copied, reproduced, or modified in whole or in part, nor its contents revealed in any manner to others without the express 
written permission of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. 
Qualcomm BlueCore and Qualcomm cVc are products of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. Other Qualcomm products referenced 
herein are products of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. or Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. or its other subsidiaries. 
Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. BlueCore and cVc are trademarks 
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Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. (formerly known as Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited) is a company registered in England and 
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© 2014-2016 Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. All rights reserved. 
 
Revision history 
Revision 
1 
2 
3 
4 
 
 
Date 
20 FEB14 
12 MAY 14 
20 MAY 14 
26 SEP 16 
Description 
Original publication of this document 
Editorial updates 
Editorial updates   
Updated to reflect QTIL rebranding 
 
 
 
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Contents 
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4 
2 cVc 2-mic Handsfree system ................................................................................................ 5 
2.1 Uni-directional microphones ...................................................................................................................... 7 
2.1.1 Beamforming of directional microphones facing side-to-side.................................................... 7 
2.2 Omni-directional microphones ................................................................................................................... 9 
3 Example design ....................................................................................................................11 
3.1 Microphone specification ......................................................................................................................... 11 
3.2 Microphone positioning ............................................................................................................................ 11 
3.3 cVc details ............................................................................................................................................... 12 
Document references .............................................................................................................13 
Terms and definitions .............................................................................................................14 
  
Figures 
Figure 2.1: 2-mic Handsfree system .............................................................................................................................. 5 
Figure 2.2: Typical In-car noise environment ................................................................................................................. 6 
Figure 2.3: 2-mic configurations overview ...................................................................................................................... 7 
Figure 2.4: Beamforming of directional microphones facing side-to-side ....................................................................... 8 
Figure 2.5: Beam pattern of directional microphones facing side-to-side ....................................................................... 8 
Figure 2.6: Beamforming of omni-directional microphones ............................................................................................ 9 
Figure 2.7: Beam pattern of omni-directional microphones .......................................................................................... 10 
 
Tables 
Table 3-1 Example microphone specification ............................................................................................................... 11 
Table 3-2 Example microphone positioning ................................................................................................................. 11 
Table 3-3 cVc details .................................................................................................................................................... 12 
 
 
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1 Introduction 
This document describes how to effectively design a two microphone (2-mic) CVC Handsfree 
system. Topics include microphone spacing, orientation, directionality and placement in the 
hands-free car environment. These recommendations apply to version BCSW-CVC-HF-5-0-x 
only.   
Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. (QTIL) recommends that you follow these design 
guidelines to ensure that the 2-mic automotive cVc algorithm works effectively.  
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2 cVc 2-mic Handsfree system 
The modules in the cVc algorithm that impact the functional quality of the 2-mic Handsfree 
system are: 
■  Beamforming  
■  ADF 
■  OMS 
■  AED 
 
Figure 2.1: 2-mic Handsfree system 
The cVc 2-mic Handsfree system enables you to select either omni-directional or  
uni-directional microphones.  
Microphone types include: 
■  Analogue electrets 
■  MEMS digital 
■  MEMS silicon analogue 
cVc does not support a mix of microphone types. Currently, the processing does not support 
more than two microphones.  
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Two Microphone Handsfree Design Guidelines 
cVc 2-mic Handsfree system 
Defrost Noise 
Road Noise 
Traffic Noise 
Window Noise 
Road Noise 
Traffic Noise 
Driver’s 
Speech 
Passenger’s Speech 
 
Figure 2.2: Typical In-car noise environment  
Figure 2.3 shows array configurations and spacing for microphones with different directionality, 
and their corresponding beam patterns. Courtesy Light refers to the lamp assembly inside the 
car.  
 
 
 
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Two Microphone Handsfree Design Guidelines 
cVc 2-mic Handsfree system 
2-Mic Array Installation 
Configurations 
2-Mic Array  
Configurations 
2-Mic Array 
Beampatterns 
Microphone Beampatterns
Beamforming Beampattern
Courtesy Light
2 Omnidirectional Microphones 
Microphone Spacing 
4.8 cm (+6 / -2 cm)
2-Mic Array
Microphone Spacing 
2 Unidirectional Microphones 
(facing side-to-side) 
Microphone Spacing 
4.8 cm (+6 / -2 cm)
 
Figure 2.3: 2-mic configurations overview 
The cVc Handsfree system recommended microphone placement position is on the interior 
ceiling at the windshield, centered between the driver and passenger, either in: 
■  The rear view mirror 
■  The overhead lamp assembly 
The microphones should be forward of the driver with a microphone-to-mouth distance of up to 60 
cm. The cVc Handsfree system does not support microphone placement in the Vehicle A-pillars. 
For any position other than the recommended position, consult with QTIL for guidance. 
2.1 Uni-directional microphones 
This section describes QTIL's recommendations for uni-directional microphone placement. 
2.1.1 Beamforming of directional microphones facing side-to-side 
In this configuration, the cVc Handsfree system contains: 
■  Beamforming 
■  ADF 
■  OMS 
■  AED 
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Two Microphone Handsfree Design Guidelines 
cVc 2-mic Handsfree system 
Figure 2.4: Beamforming of directional microphones facing side-to-side 
 
Figure 2.5: Beam pattern of directional microphones facing side-to-side 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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