Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1520713
Beyond the Wires 12 In its 1,000-plus pages of documents, the Bluetooth ® LE Audio specifications cover a huge range of functions that together define a new way for Bluetooth to support audio—and, ultimately, new ways for users to live in the audible world. Building Blocks Key to this audio revolution are new elements introduced in the Bluetooth LE Audio specifications: a new audio codec, an isochronous streaming data mode, broadcast capability, and multi-profile by design. Working together, these elements will change the way audio consumers relate to the sources around them. Fundamental to LE Audio is a new audio codec, LC3. Compared to the default SBC compression in Bluetooth Classic, LC3 offers additional bit rates (down to 16kbps), optional greater sample resolution, lower latency, remediation for lost or corrupted packets, and lower overall power consumption. And LC3 outscores SBC on stereo listening tests, even when comparing 160kbps LC3 against 345kbps SBC. Isochronous streaming is another fundamental advance. This capability allows audio packets to be time- synchronized when they are played. So, for example, audio being streamed separately to two earbuds will stay in synch to deliver a correct stereo experience. There are actually two isochronous streaming modes in LE Audio: Connected Isochronous Streams (CIS), in which the source establishes a point-to-point connection to a sink, and Broadcast Isochronous Streams (BIS), in which any number of compliant devices may choose to accept a time- synchronized stream. CIS is used to provide True Wireless Stereo (TWS). In Bluetooth Classic, there is generally one link from the source to one wireless earbud or speaker, and then a link from that device to the second earbud or speaker. With two CIS links, the source can connect to both earbuds directly, keeping the two synchronized (Figure 1). Figure 1: True Wireless Stereo (TWS) comparison of current audio vs. LE Audio (Source: Mouser Electronics) Classic Audio is Single Stream LE Audio is Multi-Stream Unmuting the World with Bluetooth LE Audio Auracast Ozcan Yurt, Staff Applications Engineer, Microcontrollers, Americas, STMicroelectronics