Project Title: Enabling multi-channel streaming for spatial audio on headphones

Description: 

The world’s premier Bluetooth chipset manufacturer, Qualcomm, recently introduced a technology called Expanded Personal Area Network Technology (XPAN). This technology enables wireless audio in a whole building, potentially enabling high resolution music streaming and enhanced sound for gaming. 

This sparked the idea by IDUN audio, a leader in embedded spatial audio, for exploring the possibilities of streaming multi-channel audio wirelessly. The fact that Bluetooth classic has always only been able to send 2-channel stereo signals to headphones, has long been a limitation for providing spatial audio that truly envelops the listener. 

Together with Otto Frandsen, an exceptional embedded software developer and expert on Qualcomm platforms, different realizations were explored. As an initial implementation, it was decided to focus on streaming through Bluetooth LE audio, as opposed to XPAN. This is because there is a compelling use case, when connecting headsets with computers, smartphones or consoles having multi-channel content. 

As an example, when connecting the charging case of a pair of earbuds to the USB connector of a computer, the charging case can behave like a multi-channel sound card. Once the audio is decoded it can be packaged (multiplexed) and sent through the Bluetooth connection to the earbuds. The individual audio channels are then sent into the spatial audio algorithm, running in the earbuds, for creating the spatialized output. The big advantage is that the head tracking can be done with low latency on the earbuds themselves, providing the listener with an exceptional experience.

By leveraging Otto Frandsen’s expertise for implementing Qualcomm-specific functionality, it was possible to create a solution running in real time on development boards. To enable this it was necessary to create a new protocol and to restructure the way wireless audio is streamed between the dongle and the headphone. Applying IDUN audio’s spatial audio processing then allows the listener to experience surround sound, Dolby Atmos content, as well as new object-based sound directly on their headphones.

Duration: 

Start: 1 March 2025 

End: 16 May 2025