Libre Wireless Technologies announced several new wireless development platforms at the Hong Kong Electronic Fair, including the expansion of their Wi-Fi module and software solutions into Smart Home and IoT applications. Libre announced new Wi-Fi Audio Streaming Module Solutions incorporating Google Cast for Audio and the availability of the LibreSync Wi-Fi media streaming platform with advanced “Dynamic Direct Multinode Streaming” technology (DDMS).
The advanced possibilities of Libre Wireless Technologies’ new modules for wireless audio can be seen in new ground-breaking wireless lifestyle audio products from companies such as PERI and the new “Ministry of Sound” multiroom Wi-Fi music players.Both the new PERI Duo - an iPhone case with battery charging functionality and on-board portable speakers - and the new Bullitt Group “Ministry of Sound” branded Wi-Fi music players, leverage the latest LibreSync Wi-Fi platform with DDMS technology, providing high bandwidth lossless and highly synchronized music streams to multiple audio products at the same time without overburdening Home Access Points, like most other multizone approaches. DDMS brings ground-breaking whole home music streaming features to the OEM and ODM market of consumer electronic audio and IoT products.
Advanced Wireless Audio Solutions
The Libre solutions, certified modules and SDK allow manufacturers to customize products, dramatically reducing development cost, time and risk. Libre wireless modules are all optimized custom designs and Libre supports their modules and software solutions with decades of expertise in actual Wi-Fi chip design, Low power modes, WiFi MAC firmware and driver development, system integration, homologation, regulatory and certification, module design and RF expertise. Libre modules and software solutions are being developed into lighting control, climate control and audio applications and many more applications to come.
The LibreSync platform incorporates unique media streaming technology, broad mobile platform ecosystem support, seamless interoperability, scalable price/performance solution options, optimized and flexible Wi-Fi/Bluetooth options (1x1 11n, 2x2 11n, 11n/ac) and extensive system level features. Optimized for performance, power, size and cost, LibreSync solutions provide ODMs and CE Brand customers with a complete, flexible ecosystem.
Libre Wireless’ Wi-Fi-based turnkey music streaming modules are featured in many mainstream consumer electronic products. Libre’s new LS5 and LS6 WiFi media modules offer complete Wi-Fi and media processing functions with Libre’s extensive LibreSync App and SDK including complete networking, control, system interface, media streaming and popular music service support.
Libre’s turnkey LibreSync WiFi module solutions are unique as they deliver broad ecosystem support including Apple AirPlay, Android DLNA, Windows Play-To and full uPnP DMR/DMP/DMS support along with music streaming features Spotify Connect, TuneIn, vTuner, Deezer, QPlay, Wimp and Melon plus USB, Docking/iAP and SD audio. The LS5 and LS6 Network Media Modules combined with Libre’s unique and powerful multizone streaming technology, enable entirely new lower cost product categories. Both the LS5 and LS6 offer fully integrated connectivity and media processing capability combined with advanced 802.11n Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi is in a 1x1 configuration for LS5 and an advanced 2x2 MIMO configuration for LS6. The new modules are available at high-volume prices down to less than ten dollars ($10.00) for LS5 and less than thirteen dollars ($13.00) for LS6. These prices include fully certified modules, Libre’s extensive LibreSync SDK with all media streaming features and accompanying Android and iOS reference Apps.
The modules are the world’s smallest size in their category, yet provide all the processing features and on-board Wi-Fi for a full audio streaming solution. The LS6 measures just 1 inch wide by 1.6 inches long. The Libre product offering sets an entirely new bar in the Wi-Fi connected wireless audio market in terms of module price, size, power and the advanced high capacity multizone streaming technology.
New WiFi Audio Streaming Module SolutionsAt the 2015 Hong Kong Electronic Fair, Libre Wireless announced the introduction of their latest LibreSync WiFi streaming media module solutions featuring support for the Google Cast for Audio feature. The new LibreSync LS9 Wi-Fi modules include a complete turn-key certified media module for easy integration as well as a “Chip-On-Board” (C.O.B.) bundled solution enabling high volume applications to integrate the solution onto the system electronics board of the product allowing more design flexibility as well as lowest solution cost.
The new scalable and customizable Linux based LS9 turn-key module and COB bundle solution bring all the features and advantages offered in the LibreSync platform seamlessly integrated with the exciting new Google Cast for Audio music streaming capability. Both solutions integrate 802.11ac Wi-Fi plus BlueTooth (“BT”) and BlueTooth Low Energy (“BLE”). The certified turn-key LS9 module includes all the wireless, networking and media processing capabilities that enable rapid adoption, brand differentiation, quick time to market and greatly simplified design-in process to take advantage of Google Cast for Audio as well as other LibreSync connectivity features.
Libre’s LS9 COB bundle solution includes a proven reference design, the main SoC, Power Management and Libre’s certified Wi-Fi/BT/BLE connectivity module. Both solutions include Libre’s exclusive Crypto IC to protect software solutions. The Crypto IC and APIs also enable OEM/Brands to add value and differentiate their product designs with unique, secure, and authenticated transactions.
LS9 turn-key module and COB solutions are offered with different optimized SDKs and accompanying iOS and Android Apps enabling complete system designs for standalone stereo Speakers, Hi-Fi systems, Media Adaptors, AV Receivers and Soundbars offering 192KHz/24bits high resolution audio, SPDIF and multichannel surround sound applications.
“We are excited to once again be leading the market by offering this unique and flexible duo of LS9 solutions featuring Google Cast for Audio as well as LibreSync SDK, the most feature rich SDK in the market,” says Hooman Kashef, CEO of Libre Wireless Technologies. “Our decade plus of experience in this market has shown us that brands and ODM customers need flexibility across features, customization, cost, Wi-Fi/Wireless connectivity options, power consumption and size and this new offering reinforces our unique position.”
stereo speakers and extra battery.
Dynamic Direct Multinode Streaming
Libre Wireless Technologies’ popular LibreSync WiFi media streaming platform now includes advanced “Dynamic Direct Multinode Streaming” technology (DDMS). The DDMS technology is unique in that it can stream high bandwidth lossless and highly synchronized music to very many audio products and end point devices throughout a home. The DDMS technology can also be used in outdoor and portable products away from the home so consumers can create fun experiences by grouping multiple speakers playing synchronized music to their own and their friend’s speakers simultaneously. This unique capability thus enables brands to offer very new and compelling use cases for the consumer’s individual and social activities.
DDMS technology creates a highly efficient over the air interface that does not overburden the Home Access Points like most other multizone approaches. This provides for a much improved consumer experience that will benefit all Access Points with any Wi-Fi configuration (even single antenna 11b or 11g Home APs). This technology dramatically reduces the overall Wi-Fi bandwidth and traffic required for multiroom streaming applications resulting in a much more robust network, much longer range and supporting a tremendous number of speakers and devices in the network. On average, DDMS is 10x to 20x more efficient than other multiroom solutions in the market.
This DDMS technology was first shown in private at CES in January 2015 where Libre Wireless demonstrated 30 WiFi audio products streaming all at once. The demonstration included a “wall of sound” where 24 speakers were divided 12-and-12 in a large Left/Right stereo speaker configuration with an additional 6 units scattered around multiple bedrooms behind walls and doors like in a real home. Multiple simultaneous groups were created showing multi-group streaming of different content to different groups, showing that any combination of products can be dynamically formed into a group and enjoy different music in each group.
“Our team has been developing Wi-Fi audio streaming products for over a decade and we have learned quite a lot about what works and what doesn’t,” says Hooman Kashef, CEO of Libre Wireless Technologies. “We invented DDMS to solve the critical challenges of multiroom audio as well as enable this unique and seamless ability to use products in or out of the home. There are very exciting use cases which are enabled by our LibreSync platform that exploit the breakthrough benefits or our DDMS technology. Our platform provides customers with the ability to customize their solutions and we cannot wait to see the array of innovative and creative products that are being developed come to the market.”
“Our LIbreSync platform was developed to meet our customers diverse needs for varying cost-performance points, so we developed a range of WiFi media modules optimized around different features and capabilities” says Jordan Watters, COO at Libre Wireless Technologies. “As multi-device streaming is becoming so popular, we enabled DDMS technology in all of our modules so that these unique features can be enjoyed across the product line – no matter the solution cost, size or power requirements. Indoor, outdoor, mobile, portable, small, large, hi-rez, AVR, speaker, mini-system, sound bar, wall powered or battery powered – Libre has a solution and they can all seamlessly interoperate with synchronized music streaming via our DDMS technology.”
New DDMS Products
During the IFA show in Berlin, Germany, Libre announced their technology partnership with Bullitt Group in support of their new Ministry of Sound branded Wi-Fi music players. Ministry of Sound is recognized worldwide for the famous London club, known for its audio quality as well as their music label and relationships with top musicians and DJ’s. Now they are introducing a compelling family of multiroom Wi-Fi music players produced by Bullitt Group.
The new music players set a whole new level of cost/performance, outfitted with an instant streaming link to Ministry of Sound’s actual night club, Ministry of Sound radio stations as well as Spotify, Deezer and Tidal favorites. They also leverage Libre Wireless Technologies LibreSync media platform, using advanced indoor and outdoor multiroom and multizone streaming technology to easily and robustly stream music to multiple Ministry of Sound music players all at the same time.
stereo speakers and extra battery.
Libre also announced a technology partnership with PERI (www.myPERI.com), to integrate the LibreSync low power and small form factor Wi-Fi media and Bluetooth modules into the highly anticipated Duo product, a first-of-its-kind iPhone case with battery charging functionality and on-board high definition Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable speakers. The PERI Duo will allow users to stream the same music to up to 64 speaker cases with or without a local area network, enabling an entirely new way for consumers to enjoy and share their music.
“The PERI team has combined great vision and technology to enable this breakthrough product,” says Jordan Watters, Chief Operating Officer at Libre Wireless Technologies. “By working closely together and leveraging the advanced LibreSync media streaming technology platform, PERI is changing the game for what’s possible and what will be expected in new mobile products. PERI is providing consumers with a feature rich and advanced mobile media player and wireless streaming system all in a compact mobile device case form factor. They have essentially created their own product category as there is nothing like the Duo on the market. We are very happy to have been selected as a key technology partner to help enable their innovative vision.”
Smart Home and IoT applications
Libre Wireless Technologies announced at the Hong Kong Electronic Fair the expansion of their Wi-Fi module and software solutions into Smart Home and IoT applications. Leveraging much of the advanced technology and optimized Wi-Fi module designs from its market leading LibreSync media streaming solutions, Libre wants to expand its new lower cost, smaller and simpler modules to enable much broader embedded applications.
Libre is now offering their certified turn-key “smart modules” that include Wi-Fi, processors, and memory for more intelligent Smart Home and IoT applications. These are supported by an optimized and customizable open SDK with API’s for control, sensor interfaces and cloud interface and integrations. Libre continues to deliver on their strategy for broad ecosystem support so customers don’t have to choose different solutions and different providers for their various products and applications. Libre can seamlessly support top ecosystems across their product line including Apple’s HomeKit, Android, Windows and others.
Libre further expands their module product line with their new “Libre Wireless Module” products (“LWM” series) that offer simple Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi+BlueTooth/BLE wireless and integrated SoC modules. These are some of the industry’s smallest and lowest power WiFi module solutions and also include unique features like advanced diversity antenna support and optional crypto chips for secure connection/protection/transaction features.
www.librewireless.com
