InnoPhase IoT and GreenWaves Technologies, a provider of AI and DSP processors for next-generation energy-constrained hearables and IoT devices, have announced the development of a lossless audio headset reference design with integrated Wi-Fi.
The combination of ultra-low power GAP9 processor and ultra-low power of Talaria TWO (T2) makes Wi-Fi lossless audio headsets with battery life similar to Bluetooth LE Audio a reality. The enhanced user experience can be delivered for home audio, PC gaming, conferencing and a variety of other applications.
The InnoPhase IoT Talaria TWO permits a form-factor audio headset design with integrated Wi-Fi & BLE, enabling streaming directly from the cloud. Talaria TWO offloads the Cloud connectivity and streaming functionality while GreenWaves Technologies delivers multi-channel audio decoding and processing. Together with applications developed by IDUN Audio, this design enables a spatial audio user experience.
“The wireless audio market continues to innovate at a rapid pace. With the continued development of ultra-low power Wi-Fi solutions, headset manufacturers can now more readily take advantage of lossless audio while providing the extended battery life that end users are accustomed to,” said Andrew Zignani, Senior Research Director at ABI Research. “In addition, the extended range capabilities of Wi-Fi can enable new user experiences, enabling users to listen to their audio throughout the home, be less reliant on their proximity to a source device, and support direct-to-cloud connectivity. ABI Research expects low-power Wi-Fi to be a key differentiator for headset and other audio device manufacturers in the years to come.”
Most headsets and hearables today currently use a low data rate short-range wireless technology such as Bluetooth to stream audio from either a cell phone, laptop, or gaming console. That presents constraints on throughput, range, and audio quality.
For example, Bluetooth throughput at the application layer is ~1Mbps, and multi-channel audio (5.1/7.1) for true surround sound requires multi-Mbit/sec., possible only using Wi-Fi. Bluetooth is point-to-point, and audio streams from the Cloud must go through an interim device, while Wi-Fi allows direct connection to the cloud source so users can directly stream from a variety of music services.
Bluetooth range is also much lower than Wi-Fi. A Wi-Fi headset allows seamless roaming in the home or backyard due to the extended range capabilities. Finally, although Bluetooth receive power is lower, it is ‘on’ for a longer duration due to the lower data rate. Conversely, Wi-Fi has a higher throughput and consequently a shorter duration for being ‘on’ and can enter sleep mode between audio transfers. The result is a similar average power with a much richer user experience.
“At GreenWaves Technologies, we’re thrilled to partner with InnoPhase IoT to redefine the wireless audio headset experience. Our GAP9 processor, with its energy-efficient multicore parallel architecture working concurrently and in collaboration with an ultra-low latency processing unit and an AI accelerator, provides superior multi-channel audio decoding and spatial audio processing capabilities that far exceed traditional VLIW designs,” commented Eric Flamand, CTO of GreenWaves Technologies. “Combined with InnoPhase IoT’s Talaria TWO Wi-Fi solution, which optimises power efficiency without compromising bandwidth, this partnership enables a new generation of Wi-Fi-enabled headsets that deliver immersive, high-fidelity surround sound experiences without sacrificing battery life. The result is an unparalleled audio experience that brings a new level of quality to wireless headsets.”
“InnoPhase IoT continues to innovate and deliver solutions to provide an exceptional IoT user experience. Our ultra-low-power Wi-Fi delivers enhanced throughput with acceptable battery life for hearables and headsets, making spatial audio a reality that provides a rich user experience. The partnership with GreenWaves and their leadership in DSP and AI technology results in a ready-to-market compelling solution for our customers to adopt,” added Wiren Perera, President and COO of InnoPhase IoT. “Extended range of roaming and direct cloud connectivity allowing seamless setup and streaming further enhance the user experience.”
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