June 12, 2022
The Israeli company Siva has contributed knowledge to the process of setting the new Bluetooth standard. Has announced an IP module that supports it. Has signed agreements to supply Auracast technology to a number of chipset manufacturers
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has released the Auracast standard, formerly known as Audio Sharing, which enables group audio broadcasts – from one source to a large number of listeners (broadcasting). The new device is a component that has been added to the Bluetooth LE standard.
It allows various accessories, such as a smartphone, TV, laptop or public address system, to transmit the audio signals to an unlimited number of nearby listeners who receive the broadcast via Bluetooth receivers such as speakers, Bluetooth headphones and even hearing aids. “The launch of the Auracast standard will result in a massive change in the wireless audio market,” said Bluetooth SIG CEO Mark Powell. “The ability to share audio using Bluetooth technology will enable enhanced audio services on public websites.”
Growth lever for the Bluetooth market
Connecting to an Auracast broadcast is similar to connecting to a Wi-Fi network. When a transmitter starts distributing audio, it transmits on three channels in parallel. One channel (advertisement) includes details such as name, content, and encoding details, while the other two channels start transmitting the audio signals – one to the left ear and one to the right ear. The Auracast receiver detects the advertisement channel. When the listener decides to connect to a specific advertisement, his receiver performs the launch process, and starts playing the selected audio channels.
One of the first companies to announce support for the new standard is CEVA from Herzliya, which announced that its intellectual property package, RivieraWaves Bluetooth 5.3 IP, supports Auracast. According to Siva’s IoT division manager Tal Shalev, Siva has contributed to the development of the new Bluetooth standard and has already signed agreements to supply the new technology to several large chip companies and manufacturers in the stereo headphones, hearing aids, smart watches, speakers and wireless microphones. The company estimates that the new standard will accelerate the growth of the Bluetooth market to a volume of up to 1.8 billion units by 2026.
Posted in categories: WIRELESS, News, Semiconductors, Communications
Posted in tags: Bluetooth, Bluetooth, Siva
