Bluetooth^® LE Audio

LE Audio is an entirely new Bluetooth^® implementation using Auracast™ or Unicast transmission solutions. While Unicast is the new solution for point-to-point connections, Auracast™ offers a wholly new broadcast functionality. The new low-latency and high-quality codec LC3 is the basis for a new speech and audio quality dimension. The applications range from "classical" speech and audio connections for headsets, including hearing aids and cars, to new broadcast applications like announcement systems and broadcast transmission at home (for example, one TV broadcasting various languages) or in vehicles. All scenarios require device testing and optimization.

A new era of Bluetooth^® Testing

With Bluetooth^® LE Audio, a new generation of Bluetooth^® technology devices enters the market. Using this new technology massively extends the Bluetooth^® application possibilities. Besides classical speech and audio applications, Bluetooth^® LE Audio addresses new industries and applications, such as hearing aids and public address applications. Testing and optimization are mandatory and require a reference implementation combined with the best testing strategies.

Unicast – Test reliable and efficient point-to-point transmissions

Unicast has been optimized for modern audio applications, including hearing aids and accessible communication. It enables more efficient audio transmission with better sound quality and lower energy consumption, offers multi-stream support for true wireless stereo headphones, and provides a more robust connection with lower latency and fewer interruptions. Manufacturers of Bluetooth^® LE Audio-enabled devices also need a corresponding reference implementation to test Unicast applications.

Auracast™ – a new field of application

The first Bluetooth^® LE Audio technology introduced into the market is Auracast™. New headsets, hearing aids, and broadcasting devices like TVs will employ this technology and need testing and optimization. Testing requires a reference interface, including a reference implementation of the new LC3 codec, as well as an acoustic environment simulation – especially background noise – for optimizing the performance of headsets and other devices in environments where Auracast™ will be used.

Implementation in labCORE

The new Auracast^™ and Unicast technologies fully integrate with our test frontend labCORE, which simulates the Auracast^™ and Unicast source and sink devices. The software-based reference implementation, including the reference audio and speech codec, enables users to validate and optimize Auracast^™ and Unicast performance. labCORE works seamlessly with the advanced communication analysis system ACQUA.

The complete test solution

Complete test solution for the future of Bluetooth^® audio technology

Unicast and Auracast^™ reference client for source and sink
LC3 codec reference integration for realistic testing
Seamless integration into the HEAD acoustics test environment
Automated testing with ACQUA for efficient product development
Future-proof thanks to software-based implementation
Robust and customer-tested: reliable in real-world use

Technical features in detail

PBP/BAP (Public Broadcasting Profile/Basic Audio Profile) for setting up and managing Auracast broadcast streams
TMAP/BAP for controlled setup and management of unicast audio streams
Published Audio Capabilities Service (PACS) for providing and specifying relevant audio and device features
CSIP/CSIS (Coordinated Set Identification Profile/Coordinated Set Identification Service) for the targeted identification and joint control of coordinated sets for synchronous audio streaming
VCP (Volume Control Profile) based on Voice Control Service for determining and specifying the volume status of the device under test