CSR launches world’s first ROM-based Bluetooth with stereo DSP

Industry’s lowest cost wireless stereo audio

Cambridge, UK - CSR (LSE: CSR) today launched BlueTunes ROM, the world’s first ROM-based Bluetooth solution for stereo headsets with an integrated Digital Signal Processor (DSP). It is designed to provide end-users with the ability to seamlessly switch between wireless music playback and voice calls. BlueTunes ROM is a low-power design, and is the most cost-effective, high-quality Bluetooth music solution available on market today for stereo headset and wireless speaker products.

BlueTunes ROM is based on BlueCore5-Multimedia. BlueCore5-Multimedia provides exceptional audio performance with an integrated stereo CODEC providing 95dB SNR. Its flexible DSP architecture also allows designers to add additional features to differentiate their end products. BlueTunes ROM supports both SBC and MP3 (license required) decoding for improved audio quality on music playback, together with a configurable 5 band EQ to improve the end-user experience. The low power design of BlueTunes ROM enables over 10hrs of music playback from a 180mAh battery.

In addition, BlueTunes ROM integrates FastStream, a low latency high-quality music and voice CODEC which significantly reduces the latency of the audio link to avoid “lip-sync” issues. This is particularly useful when watching video images and listening to audio on a headset or speakers. Standard Bluetooth solutions have a latency of up to 200ms, which restricts their use in real-time applications such as gaming, video or mobile TV.

Not only does BlueTunes ROM excel in terms of music playback, it also enables high-end Bluetooth voice headset capabilities when on a call. BlueTunes ROM includes CSR’s propriety Clear Voice Capture (CVC) technology that supports both single and dual microphone solutions. Alongside CVC an Acoustic Echo Canceller eliminates echo and background noise to further enhance the end user experience. BlueTunes ROM also features CSR’s proprietary AuriStream Voice codec, which offers superior voice quality when on a call.

For a superior end-user experience, BlueTunes ROM is fully compliant with Bluetooth v2.1+EDR and supports secure simple pairing, which greatly simplifies the Bluetooth pairing process.

CSR enables easy development by providing a BlueTunes ROM development kit complete with a development board, example reference designs, an audio adaptor and a Music Voice (MV) dongle. In addition the development kit also features a configuration tool for tuning the audio performance for voice calls and listening to music.

Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President of CSR’s Wireless Audio Strategic Business Unit said, “BlueTunes ROM provides manufacturers with the opportunity to design smaller, lighter, more cost effective and feature rich Bluetooth stereo headsets. With more manufacturers combining MP3 players with mobile phones, BlueTunes ROM allows users to switch easily between music and calls using wireless connectivity. We have incorporated our FastStream and CVC technologies to ensure that headset manufacturers are able to provide their customers best in class, market leading audio quality.”

CSR’s BlueTunes ROM silicon and development kits are sampling now and start shipping in December.