LC3 codec support for nRF5340 DK

[ShuMan]

Hi,

I have a nRF5340 DK (not the audio DK). I read the specification of nRF5340 Audio DK and found that it supports LC3 codec. However, I want to ask, is it possible to use an external codec with nRF5340 DK. If yes then is there any example available for it?

Thanks.

[Adarsh_1]

Hallo ShuMan,

I assume that you are talking about software codec.

LC3 codec is mandetory for standard LE Audio application. However, the initial release of nrf5340 audio application also have support for SBC codec. According to my understanding, Nordic does not provide support for additional codec (most of them are private / closed source). However, it should be possible to integrate any codec with LE standards. The standard supports this, but you will have to buy the software codec from the corresponding vendor and integrate it with LE Audio yourself.

best regards,

Adarsh

[ShuMan]

Hi,

Thanks Adarsh and Jared for the information.

In our application we are using the file stored on an SD card rather than streaming it from external device (unlike the given LE Audio application for Audio DK). So, in our case we can either use LC3 or any other codec, right (as ours is not LE audio streaming application)?

Thanks

[Adarsh_1]

Hi,

ShuMan said:

So, in our case we can either use LC3 or any other codec, right (as ours is not LE audio streaming application)?

Ofcourse you could use LC3 or any other codec for LE Audio transfer. But as already mentioned, keep in mind that LC3 codec is mandatory for all LE Audio certification. You will not get your device certified without including LC3 codec / support for LC3 codec. 

ShuMan said:

In our application we are using the file stored on an SD card rather than streaming it from external device

In the reference application, the data/audio is accessed from USB through a hardware codec ( from cirrus logic). Audio source does not defines your audio streaming capability. You will infact be using LE Audio standards for audio streaming and hence LC3 codec is mandatory for certification. You could however test the nrf5340 audio application sample with SBC as well. 

Best regards,

Adarsh