Is it possible to combine nRF52833 and audioLE or transmit audio via Bluetooth Low Energy

[RichardHdrd]

Dear forum,

We capture audio via PCM (10kHz, 8bit => rendering a raw rate of 80kBaud) on a BM833 and would like to transmit the data (one way) to a paired device using either audioLE or Bluetooth Low Energy 125k. The question is, is it possible to do this with a BM833 chipset.

I read, that nRF5340 are recommended for audioLE, but the question is still, whether a one-way transmission - also latency would be acceptable - is possible and with what way-of-transmission.

Best regards,

Richard

[Karl Ylvisaker]

Hello Richard,

I read, that nRF5340 are recommended for audioLE

Yes, the nRF5340 is the SoC that we recommend for LE Audio development, and it is the only SoC that we support LE Audio development on.
This is because it is a dual-core SoC, which allows it to both handle the audio processing (encoding/decoding) and transmission (BLE Isochronous channels) concurrently without issue.
A single-core SoC like the nRF52833 would have to switch between the two processes, and might therefore have troubles meeting the audio timing requirements.

We capture audio via PCM (10kHz, 8bit => rendering a raw rate of 80kBaud) on a BM833 and would like to transmit the data (one way) to a paired device using either audioLE or Bluetooth Low Energy 125k. The question is, is it possible to do this with a BM833 chipset.

In general, you could very well achieve the specified throughput on a nRF52833. However, the throughput is not what makes it less feasible for audio transfers - it is the possibility of re-transfers, which is the issue that isochronous channels solves.
Isochronous channels lets the controller discard packets that will not make it to the receiver in time for proper playback, i.e discarding no-longer-relevant packets.
Without isochronous channels, all the data queued for transfer will be transferred, even if the link throughput turns to a minimum as a result of a poor connection. In this case, the audio may arrive much too late for proper / real-time playback.
If you are going to develop an wireless audio product I highly recommend taking a look at our LE Audio solution - I think you will find all the improvements made over previous-era wireless audio delightful!

If you would like to know more about getting started with out LE Audio development tools, and the LE Audio Development Kit, please reach out to your Regional Sales Manager to discuss this (since the ADKs are not yet publicly available).
If you do not know who your Regional Sales Manager is, please send me a direct message with your location so that I may provide you with their contact information.

Best regards,
Karl