The Frontier AURIA is a versatile audio module designed to offer manufacturers a next-generation platform for audio products with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. With a focus on delivering the highest quality Hi-Res audio, Bluetooth audio synchronization across multiple speakers, low power consumption, portability, and the highest levels of security/privacy, AURIA has been designed and engineered to allow brands to create a whole new portfolio of products to compete in established markets and to enter new and emerging audio markets.
Being one of the Bluetooth LE Audio solutions available in the market for home audio products, not only adding the benefits of the LC3 codec but more importantly support for Auracast, the Frontier AURIA FS2345 module quickly attracted many consumer electronics manufacturers. The fact that Frontier promoted the solution earlier, starting with its presentation at IFA 2023 in Berlin, proved pivotal to gaining consideration by designers for their next-generation audio projects.
With the advantages of supporting Auracast, the AURIA FS2345 module enables highly dependable audio sync for multiple devices and one-touch party mode and stereo pair support when in Bluetooth LE Audio streaming mode. At the same time, supporting multiple interfaces and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual band, the module enables products with support for Hi-Res audio, up to 24-bit/192kHz, and adding ALAC and FLAC codecs for compatibility with all high-quality, available streaming tiers.
The Frontier SDK also offers simple and straightforward integration into various audio products, adding also AirPlay 2 with multiroom, Spotify Connect, Wi-Fi Easy Connect, and many other features with full user control from the OKTIV iOS/Android app. There's also battery management for extended battery life, built-in audio DSP with favorite user presets, and customizable EQ. Adding rich I/O, comprehensive documentation, and local technical support provided by the Frontier team allows manufacturers to quickly bring new products to market with minimal development cost.
The Frontier AURIA is powered by a powerful Realtek Ameba SOC and features a dual-core ARM A32 @1.2Ghz processor with integrated RAM and Flash memory, Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 6 radio with printed PIFA antenna, I2S digital audio output, built-in DAC/ADC for analog audio I/O, and MIPI / SPI display plus IC2, UART, IR GPIO, and GPADC interfaces. This combination of the latest Bluetooth and Auracast technology, with Wi-Fi connectivity in a fully certified (FCC/ISED/RED/UKCA) module, truly enables audio products with more features and use cases for consumers.
"Frontier believes that great connectivity and audio features should be available regardless of the type or price point of the product. Over the past 24 months, Frontier has been collaborating with Realtek to develop a robust connected audio solution using the new Ameba RTL8730E chip. The result, the Frontier AURIA connected audio platform, powered by the Realtek Ameba chip, is the first true turnkey solution in mass production for connected audio applications, enabling Auracast to be added to new or existing products," says Prem Rajalingham, Managing Director at Frontier Smart Technologies.
Taking the Realtek Ameba RTL8730E chip to get into high-volume production, Frontier was able to build a simple and robust audio solution for speakers, soundbars, music, and AVR systems. With the market awareness about the unique possibilities and use cases enabled by Auracast, it's no surprise that Frontier is experiencing high demand from manufacturers. The small footprint and low power consumption are also proving perfect for integration in a variety of designs.
Another key element to gain the trust from manufacturers is the technical support that Frontier is able to offer. A key service valued by Frontier's customers is the quality validation and manufacturing support offered at its Shenzhen-based customer development centre, by an experienced field engineering team. Over the last 22 years, this team alone supported over 5,000 projects from more than 500 brands and worked with over 200 factories to develop, build, and ship more than 80 million products.
Now, the industry is embracing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Audio and Auracast, and the Quality Assurance team's device pool continues to grow as Frontier tests interoperability on AURIA.
"Frontier has focused on the key audio features that are driving growth in the market and packaged them in a powerful turnkey solution. Reliability and cost optimization have been core during the development of AURIA, and the result is a solution that will innovate the industry and delight the end users while passing the cost optimizations on to the manufacturers and consumers," adds Prem Rajalingham.
Frontier is a pioneer in technologies for connected audio and the market leader in DAB/DAB+ radios and SmartRadio solutions. Frontier provides a range of chips and modules, from turnkey entry-level solutions to sophisticated, highly configurable options, to leading consumer electronics brands. With its R&D centre in Cambridge (UK) and manufacturing and sales offices in Shenzhen (China), Frontier supports clients and consumers across Europe and Asia. Frontier is a Science Group company.
www.frontiersmart.com
