As technology advances rapidly, Bluetooth technology continues to evolve. Bluetooth LE Audio (Low Energy Audio), with its power-saving and audio quality improvements, has become one of the most popular audio technologies today. For those who frequently use headphones, smartphones, or laptops, audio transmission latency not only affects gaming experiences but also impacts audio-video synchronization and call quality.
However, tools and services for latency testing specific to LE Audio remain scarce in the market, posing technical challenges for manufacturers in verifying device performance. To address this, Allion provides professional latency measurement and validation services to help clients accurately understand product performance and enhance their market competitiveness.
百佳泰技術小詞典
Latency refers to the time difference between when an audio signal is sent and when it is heard. Excessive latency can result in issues such as:
- Audio-video desynchronization
- Delayed response during gaming
- Reduced call quality
Client Background and Challenges
Bluetooth LE Audio technology encompasses transmitters (e.g., laptops, smartphones) and receivers (e.g., headphones), each with its design limitations. Accurately measuring their latency performance is a complex task. Additionally, the internal signals of commercially available testing equipment cannot always be directly accessed, making it difficult for manufacturers to verify real-world performance accurately. Latency may also vary when devices are used in combination with others, depending on factors such as system load and application settings.
In this case study, the client, a headphone manufacturer, lacked sufficient internal equipment and an environment to validate their products. They sought assistance from Allion’s acoustics consultancy team, leveraging Allion’s professional expertise to provide technical support and optimization recommendations to improve their product’s low-latency performance.
Allion’s Solution
The client wanted to understand if their product’s low-latency performance met their design specifications when paired with laptops from different brands. In response, Allion’s acoustics consultancy team offered a comprehensive BT LE Audio Latency Testing Consultation Service that covered various transmitter and receiver products. Centered on client needs, the solution ensured accurate and reliable testing through the following approaches:
Simulating Real-World Usage Scenarios
By designing a meticulous testing environment, Allion simulated real-world user scenarios to measure device latency performance accurately.
Reducing Variables Affecting Test Results
Device performance and settings, such as laptop workloads or background activities on smartphones, were controlled to ensure consistent testing conditions.
Customized Testing Solutions
Tailored testing plans were provided for different products and application scenarios.
Allion prepared four different laptops and paired them with the client’s BT LE Audio headphone product to measure latency performance:
- ZBook Studio 16 G11: 39.5% improvement
- Surface Laptop 6: 34.9% improvement
- Surface Laptop 7: 29.6% improvement
- VivoBook S 15: 33.6% improvement
From the data, it was evident that the headphones performed less favorably in terms of low latency when paired with the Surface Laptop 7 compared to other laptop models.
Value of Allion’s Services
The low-latency advantage of BT LE Audio technology requires precise testing for validation, which is Allion’s specialty. When product performance does not meet expectations, Allion’s acoustics consultancy team offers the following services to help clients identify issues and enhance performance:
- Problem diagnosis and clarification
- Performance data comparison
- Environmental factor simulation
- Hardware and firmware analysis
- Cross-testing with multi-brand devices
- Technical support and training
- Real-time validation and optimization recommendations
Time to Market with Quality: Delivering Superior Audio Experiences with Allion
Allion’s acoustics consultancy services provide faster, easier, and better solutions, helping you overcome technical challenges, shorten time to market, and achieve the goal of “Time to Market with Quality.”
For further testing, validation, or consultancy needs, feel free to contact us through the online form. Allion’s consultancy team is ready to provide tailored solutions to help your product stand out in the competitive market!
