Wireless audio (wireless earbuds, headphones and speakers) introduced us to a completely new level of listening convenience and freedom, prompting the rapid growth we are already seeing in this consumer segment (30% CAGR for wireless earbuds and 14% for wireless headphones). Now the race is on to further improve audio quality and capability in these devices. Wi-Fi and UWB systems are also trying to break in, signaling appetite to grow in this market, yet wireless audio is a domain where Bluetooth has long-established presence and ubiquitous ecosystem support with Classic Audio and the newly deployed LE Audio. Unsurprisingly the Bluetooth SIG is working hard to continue to press the Bluetooth advantage by defining a High Data Throughput (HDT) option on top of Bluetooth LE.
Motivation for Bluetooth HDT
Bigger and better is always technically interesting, but what difference does high data throughput really make? First it is important to understand that the goal is to build on Bluetooth LE, retaining the highly popular low energy profile of that technology while providing much higher throughput. Bluetooth LE (and so LE Audio) currently supports 2Mbps data rate, in contrast to Bluetooth Classic at 3Mbps (which is why Classic Audio is still around to support higher quality links). HDT aims to raise Bluetooth LE data rate to up to 8Mbps, a 4X improvement which could introduce many new capabilities and maybe signal the eventual sunset of Bluetooth Classic.
As examples of demand, 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound or Dolby Atmos provide superior home entertainment audio experiences but require high-quality multi-channel support, beyond today’s Bluetooth capacity (both Classic Audio and LE Audio). In a similar vein, think about a congested and noisy wireless environment. Supported by HDT, LE Audio, including the Auracast Broadcast Audio mode, will be able to stream audio while reducing time over the air and reducing impact from external interference.
The benefit doesn’t only apply to audio receivers (speakers, earbuds, etc.). Higher throughput can also serve multi-microphone needs, say for studio recordings. Artists appreciate being able to move around freely without the constraints of cords, just as much as the rest of us. Bluetooth HDT can make that possible.
All sounds good, but where’s the proof? GN Resound recently hosted an Auracast trial (for the LE Audio broadcast technology) at the Lincoln Center for attendees provided with special hearing aids. In fact there were two trials, the first an Auracast-enabled talk given in an open-air setting (rooftop lounge) in the middle of New York. The reviewer said hearing the talk would have been difficult at best without this assistance; with it, he found the experience comfortable and engaging.
The next test was an orchestra/choral concert hosted in the center, again enabled by Auracast but here picking up from multiple microphones set around the stage. The reviewer said he was amazed that the audio experience was so real (music together with room acoustics) that he forgot he was wearing special hearing aids. It is worth remembering that this advantage is not limited to the hearing impaired. Imagine wearing Bluetooth HDT earbuds with immersive spatial audio rendering and being able to mute that talkative guy in the seat behind you, to enjoy an ideal listening experience without external interruptions.
What’s Your Next HDT Audio Streaming Step?
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and UWB are all strong wireless communication standards, all contending for a role in streaming audio, but success in this domain requires more than just the wireless protocol. The audio itself depends on codecs and profiles and must be interoperable between transmitters (e.g. phones, PC, TV, car) and receivers (e.g. earbuds, headphones, speakers) to avoid proprietary lock-in solutions. The dominance of Bluetooth in this domain is beyond dispute. The older A2DP Classic Audio with SBC codec and even the newly deployed LE Audio with LC3 codec are widely deployed and completely interoperable between many platforms and accessories. Meantime LE Audio continues to advance in multiple directions: advances in hearing aids and Auracast are just two examples. While the Bluetooth HDT standard is still in development, incumbency in this worldwide ecosystem makes Bluetooth HDT a safe bet to play a major role in streaming audio in the foreseeable future.
The Ceva-Waves Bluetooth IP platforms provide comprehensive solutions for both Bluetooth LE and Bluetooth dual mode connectivity, spanning RF, Modem, Baseband Controller, and complete Host and Profile software stacks. All the latest features of Bluetooth are supported, including LE Audio / Auracast, Periodic Advertising with Response, and other enhancements such as Channel Sounding. It also comprises an IEEE 802.15.4 addon for Thread, Zigbee and Matter support. With more than one billion devices shipping annually and dozens of licensees, the Ceva-Waves Bluetooth IP is widely deployed in consumer, automotive, industrial, medical and IoT devices with many of the world’s leading semiconductors companies and OEMs, including smartphones, tablets, beacons, wireless speakers, wireless headsets and earbuds, hearing aids and other wearables. We are already engaged with customers working on Bluetooth HDT.
The Ceva-Waves Bluetooth IP is part of the Ceva-Waves unique and broad family of wireless connectivity IP platforms that also includes the Ceva-Waves Wi-Fi, UWB, NB-IoT and Links multi-protocol platforms. It complements very well with the Ceva NPU IP for Embedded ML such as the Ceva-NeuPro-Nano, and the Ceva sensing and software solutions such as the Ceva-RealSpace Spatial Audio. For more information, visit https://www.ceva-ip.com/app/connectivity/.