Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo Technology Drives Innovation in Bluetooth Stereo Headset and Hearables Categories

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., has introduced the Qualcomm TrueWireless™ Stereo Headset Reference Design. Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. has developed its innovative Qualcomm TrueWireless technology to meet growing demand in the headset and hearables markets for much smaller form factor, truly wireless devices. Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo technology eliminates the need for wires entirely – not only between the media source and stereo headset, but also between left and right earbuds. Without a solution such as Qualcomm TrueWireless, wireless Bluetooth headsets and hearables would be connected to the audio source wirelessly, but would still need a wired ‘connection between the left and right earbuds.

“Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo technology is the result of years of premium audio and connectivity research and development specifically on exciting new wireless headset use cases,” said Anthony Murray, senior vice president and general manager, IoT, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. “Demand for non-wired headsets is growing rapidly. We are also seeing the emergence of hearables. This new category sees convergence of traditional audio device features with wearable technology features in ultra-small form factor devices. Users want more fully featured headsets combined with total freedom while listening, easy portability for sports and travel and not having to worry about wires tangling or getting caught in head gear,” added Murray. “By using our cutting-edge Qualcomm TrueWireless technology, manufacturers can better serve the end user’s needs and reduce the time required to develop exciting new products.”

The Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo Headset Reference Design is based on the CSRA63120 audio ROM device which supports stereo Bluetooth® headsets to function completely wire free and is ideal for manufacturers who wish to take advantage of growing consumer desire and wireless earbuds, without deploying enormous design, validation and testing resources or acquiring deep radio frequency design expertise.

The reference design makes low-cost wire-free headsets possible, meets new consumer needs and benefits manufacturers who want to save time and cost as they develop new products in this emerging ecosystem. Schematics, bill of materials (BOM), gerber files and user’s guide are included with the reference design platform.

Benefits and Availability

The Qualcomm TrueWireless Reference Design is available to audio OEMs and headset manufacturers now. Its key benefits include:

• Low cost
• Optimized for low latency between left and right headphones
• Very low power allowing long listening time per battery charge
• Facilitates reduced development time
• Robust, completely wire-free headphone connection with antenna technology
• Includes Bluetooth™ 4.2 and 8th generation Qualcomm® cVc™ noise cancellation technology
• Qualcomm TrueWireless technology