Bluetooth LE Audio and LC3: Market Overview, Technology Trends and Forecast from SAR Insight & Consulting

Cinemas, gamers and the hard of hearing could all benefit from Bluetooth 5.2, according to the latest "Bluetooth LE Audio and LC3: Market Overview, Technology Trends and Forecast" report from SAR Insight & Consulting. Bluetooth will continue to be a popular and flexible way to connect devices, thanks in part to the technology being refreshed to remain relevant to component manufacturers and consumers, says SAR Insight & Consulting.

The Rohde & Schwarz CMW platform of Bluetooth testers already support the new Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) version 5.2 power control test routines. At the moment of release, these are the only T&M instruments that measure all specified RF tests up to Bluetooth LE 5.0 over the air, and are ready to support also the new LE Audio specification. This unique solution has already been submitted to the Bluetooth SIG for the specification of a new Bluetooth LE test mode.

Tempow, the company that specializes in software-only solutions to enhance the core Bluetooth protocol, announced the release of a new Bluetooth Software Stack for hearables and speakers, with an early prototype of the freshly revealed LE Audio, the next generation of Bluetooth audio. The company also announced a partnership program for chipset manufacturers to use Tempow’s implementation. Telink Semiconductor was the first to join the program.

CEVA, the wireless connectivity specialist, announced that it has enhanced its offerings for developers of true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds and other wireless audio devices with the general release of the RivieraWaves Bluetooth Low Energy and Dual Mode IPs with support for LE Audio, the next generation of Bluetooth audio. The CEVA solution introduces new features that enhance audio quality and link robustness as well as enabling new audio sharing use cases.

At CES 2020, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the upcoming release of LE Audio, the next generation of Bluetooth audio. Two years on the making, Bluetooth LE Audio will enhance the performance of wireless audio, add support for hearing aids, and introduce Audio Sharing, a new use case with the potential to once again change the way we experience audio and connect with the world around us as Bluetooth did when it cut the cord 20 years ago to create the wireless audio market.