In 2020, Bluetooth SIG announced the launch of LE Audio, the next-generation Bluetooth audio specifications. This is the first time that the audio transmission specifications have been updated over the years of the development of Bluetooth. Bluetooth will be expanded from one-to-one personal applications to the applications used in smart cities and infrastructure. Realtek has foreseen the development trend of Bluetooth LE Audio and officially rolled out the Bluetooth AI IC and the rapid mass production solutions in the fourth quarter of this year. The IC, with the dual-mode LE Audio technology adopted, features both transmission and reception. Meanwhile, we launched a high-quality hearing aid solution to build a layout in the LE Audio market in advance.

Development of a layout in LE Audio in advance with an advantage in rapid mass production

Realtek first rolled out two types of ICs so that clients could be prepared for the true wireless stereo (TWS) market as early as possible. Realtek's LE Audio rapid mass production RTL8773E solution supports LE Audio. The specifications support BT5.3, full-featured LE Audio, DNN 1/2-MICAI noise cancellation, and 3-MIC traditional noise cancellation, and high-performance active noise reduction (ANC).

The ANC includes 32 sets of filters with an independent hardware design for wind/ noise reduction and feedback cancellation. The response speed is faster with the hardware, the effect is more pronounced. The system-level (0.1mW) power consumption is lower than 4mA. Most importantly, it supports both SDK and configuration tools' development and allows clients to enter the market and achieve rapid mass production. Connected isochronous stream (CIS)/broadcast isochronous stream (BIS) can also be used through configuration tools.

The world's first Bluetooth AI IC

Bluetooth AI IC helps to realize smart earphones, enables automatic scene recognition, and adjusts earphones to the best state. These are all achieved by a powerful artificial neural network computing system. The world's first Bluetooth AI IC RTL8773D solution supports LE Audio (Bluetooth specifications support BT5.3), features a high-performance AI platform 2.56 GOPS, and supports AI NN to enhance the computing power. The computing power is increased 6–8 times and the power consumption can be reduced by 30% compared with the past. With a standard 4.3MB RAM capacity, it also features true adaptive ANC functions to solve the problem of ANC wearing. In the future, it will also support semi-in-ear ANC, which allows for rapid mass production and enables small packaging of All In One 4.9x6 mm2 WL-BGA 184.

Comprehensive advancement of hearing aids solution

In the past, hearing aids and earphones were separate. Realtek's TWS IC leads the way by combining earphones with hearing aids. This allows for customization based on personal needs through the earphone app. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) recently announced the draft specifications for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and amendments to the guidance documents for distinguishing personal sound amplification aids (hearing aids and personal sound amplification products, PSAPs) from OTC hearing aids. As such, the high-end hearing aids based on personalized hearing needs can be achieved through software, tests, and tools. The products can be purchased directly through consumer electronic channels or the Internet to promote the development of new technologies and public health.

Realtek's OTC hearing aid solution is focused on people with mild and moderate hearing loss. Realtek's real hearing enhancement (RHE) solution enables the separate adjustment to the volume for each ear based on different degrees of hearing loss, while allowing for the enhancement of the human voice frequency band. Users can adjust the high and low frequency compensation through the mobile app. Realtek's RHA hearing aid solution is the first such solution in the world that features a neural network and dual-mode environmental noise reduction, while allowing users to define 16-channel wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) by themselves. What's more, it features a feedback cancellation algorithm used in high-end hearing aids. We are committed to creating a clear and comfortable hearing experience that could only be accessed through high-end hearing aids in the past.

Realtek believes that LE Audio and AI earphones are the trends of the future, so we have developed a layout in this market and launched audio solutions in advance. The solutions can be applied to call watches, gaming headsets, smart speakers, wireless microphones, and hearing aids, while ushering in the era of LE Audio.