With Bluetooth LE Audio, a new generation of Bluetooth® technology devices enters the market, addressing new industries and applications such as hearing aids, public address systems, and introducing the possibility to broadcast messages and audio channels from devices that employ the Auracast technology. Testing and optimization of such systems is mandatory and requires a reference implementation of the new stack and the new LC3 codec combined with the best testing strategies, like an acoustic environment simulation – especially background noise – for optimizing the performance of headsets and other devices in environments where Auracast will be used.
HEAD acoustics has now released software updates and complete reference informations for its implementation of Bluetooth LE Audio testing, including Auracast, using its labCORE test solution. The labCORE test frontend is now able to simulate Auracast source and sink devices when equipped with the new coreBT2LE Auracast option. With this solution HEAD acoustics provides a complete software-based implementation, including the audio and speech codec. In conjunction with the ACQUA analysis system and 3PASSlab, 3PASSflex, and 3PASSreverb background noise and reverb simulation, users can rely on a test and simulation environment for all device types, enabling them to validate and optimize Auracast performance comprehensively.
The updated HEAD acoustics test solution supports Auracast source and sink reference client, LC3 codec reference implementation, all completely integrated into the HEAD acoustics test environment, with tests and test sequences integrated into ACQUA to allow for fully automated testing. This future-proof software-based implementation is able to be expanded in updated in the future.
Detailing the measurement examples HEAD acoustics offers a new preliminary document that details procedures for measuring a headset equipped with an Auracast receiver using labCORE with the new coreBT2LE-Auracast option. An Auracast assistant (e.g. smartphone) connects the headset initially to the Auracast broadcast. Once the headset is connected, the assistant is not necessary anymore. Background noise is simulated with 3PASS lab. For full repeatability of measurements, background noise playback and measurement signal are synchronized by labCORE through a pulse connection to the hardware platform labBGN and ACQUA generates signals for the Auracast broadcast. Further, it receives and analyzes signals from the HMS II.3 LN HEC artificial head.
For measurement of an Auracast transmitter (pictured below), HEAD acoustics offers the possibility to use labCORE connected to an active Auracast broadcast and sending an audio signal for playback on the HMS II.3 LN HEC. The microphone of the Auracast transmitter receives the acoustic signal. The transmitter broadcasts the audio signal via Auracast to labCORE. Background noise is simulated with 3PASS lab. ACQUA generates the speech signal, and receives and analyses the signal from the Auracast broadcast.
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