
Ceva boosts Bluetooth wireless audio IP
Ceva has launched a pre-configured software package for its BlueBud wireless audio IP that includes all the audio, voice and context-aware software required in premium TWS earbuds, gaming headsets, hearables, wearables and other smart audio products.
Announced at CES 2022, the SenslinQ software framework and the CEVA-BX1 DSP tool kit have also been upgraded for the Bluebud platform to streamline the addition of 3rd party DSP algorithms and to help migrate existing software from other processor architectures.
The Bluebud-HD software package takes advantage of the on-board CEVA-BX1 DSP to consolidate a wide range of optimized HD audio, voice and context-aware modules which are otherwise processed on separate DSPs or MCUs in non-CEVA architectures.
The Bluebud hardware platform has been upgraded to include CEVA’s latest SIG qualified RivieraWaves Bluetooth 5.3 IP, with both Classic Audio and LE Audio, and the CEVA-BX1 audio processor, together with all the required peripherals for wireless audio, in a compact low power design, with a footprint of less than 0.5mm2 in a 22nm process technology.
Bluebud-HD also supports audio processing using 96KHz/24-bit precision, enabling many high-resolution audio standards.
The OpenAMP API provides host CPU developers with virtualized access to features in Bluebud-HD and other audio, voice and speech software available through the CEVAnet partner ecosystem. The SenslinQ framework enables Bluebud customers to consolidate all audio, voice and IMU-based contextual awareness workloads onto the CEVA-BX1 DSP rather than embedding separate DSPs for wireless and audio and results in smaller die size and lower power consumption.
“The ability to solve our customers ‘pain-points’ for the development of wireless audio products and allowing them to virtualize DSP applications from the host CPU without directly programming the DSP using the SenslinQ framework, streamlines their development and further allows them to utilize the Bluebud platform for more advanced use cases,” said Erez Bar-Niv, CTO of Ceva. “The breadth of features provided by the Bluebud-HD software solution, such as high-definition audio and voice, personalized hearing, 3D audio, and contextual awareness, is unprecedented and aligns with the most demanding use cases of top-tier audio device makers.”
Other CES 2022 news
- CES 2022 shortens show
- First active matrix miniLED flexible display
- French and Italian startups pitch at CES 2022
- Second generation LiDAR sensor integrates processing software
- Performance boost for Bluetooth LE 5.3 with dual M33 cores
Next: TWS wireless audio market growth
Yole Développement forecasts that shipments of TWS earbuds, hearing aids, smartwatches and smart speakers will surpass 1.3 billion units annually by 2026, with premium audio becoming a key feature for many applications such as gaming, AR/VR experiences and 3D sound.
“Since the launch of Bluebud last year, we have experienced tremendous interest and licensing success with this unique platform offering. On the back of this success, we are now introducing the Bluebud-HD software package which democratizes access for the semiconductor companies, ODMs and OEMs to the second largest consumer market by volume, after smartphones,” said Moshe Sheier, VP Marketing of Ceva. “The combination of the Bluebud-HD software package, the SenslinQ software framework and the CEVA-BX1 DSP tool kit encourages partners and customers using other processor architectures to standardize around Bluebud and reduce the cost, power consumption and complexity of their wireless audio solutions.”
The fully integrated software package includes Ceva’s ClearVox with enhanced to support up to 48KHz sampling rate, for super wideband voice conversations as well as VisiSonics RS3D software for an immersive 3D audio experience. The MotionEngine Hear software provides accurate head tracking, in-ear detection, and tap control as well as personalized hearing tuning for adaptation to each listener’s hearing.
The Bluebud platform, Bluebud-HD software package and SenslinQ software framework are available for licensing today.
www.ceva-dsp.com/product/ceva-bluebud/
Related Ceva articles
- $33m move to full custom chip design
- R&D centre opns in Bristol
- Renesas integrates DSP into automotive SoCs
- Sensor processing technology company acquired
- SiFive teams for edge AI SoCs
Other articles on eeNews Europe
- New rules for smart devices and digital content in EU
- AMD’s Xilinx deal delayed to 2022
- CEO interviews of 2021 on eeNews
- European processor project shows shift to RISC-V
- Intel to expand in France and Italy
