HDT Bluetooth: the Next Step in High Quality Audio Streaming

By Franz Dugand, Ceva

December 6, 2024

Wireless audio (wireless earbuds, headphones and speakers) introduced us to a completely new level of listening convenience and freedom, prompting the rapid growth we are already seeing in this consumer segment (30% CAGR for wireless earbuds and 14% for wireless headphones). Now the race is on to further improve audio quality and capability in these devices. Wi-Fi and UWB systems are also trying to break in, signaling appetite to grow in this market, yet wireless audio is a domain where Bluetooth has long-established presence and ubiquitous ecosystem support with Classic Audio and the newly deployed LE Audio. Unsurprisingly the Bluetooth SIG is working hard to continue to press the Bluetooth advantage by defining a High Data Throughput (HDT) option on top of Bluetooth LE.

Motivation for Bluetooth HDT

Bigger and better is always technically interesting, but what difference does high data throughput really make? First it is important to understand that the goal is to build on Bluetooth LE, retaining the highly popular low energy profile of that technology while providing much higher throughput. Bluetooth LE (and so LE Audio) currently supports 2Mbps data rate, in contrast to Bluetooth Classic at 3Mbps (which is why Classic Audio is still around to support higher quality links). HDT aims to raise Bluetooth LE data rate to up to 8Mbps, a 4X improvement which could introduce many new capabilities and maybe signal the eventual sunset of Bluetooth Classic.

As examples of demand, 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound or Dolby Atmos provide superior home entertainment audio experiences but require high-quality multi-channel support, beyond today’s Bluetooth capacity (both Classic Audio and LE Audio). In a similar vein, think about a congested and noisy wireless environment. Supported by HDT, LE Audio, including the Auracast Broadcast Audio mode, will be able to stream audio while reducing time over the air and reducing impact from external interference.

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