Is LE Audio only software stuff and BT5.0/5.1 chip can upgrade to support it?

Question

Hi, 
 As stated, LE Audio is based on LC3 codec and isochronous channel. They are both software stuff, no hardware related, like PHY.(Is this right？) 
 So for BT5.0/BT5.1 chips on the market, are they theoretically able to upgraded to have the isochronous channel in their controller stack and LC3 codec in APP? 
 Like phones with BT5.0/BT5.1 ,even with BT5.2, they don't have LE Audio support now, is it possible to upgrade their system to make it available?

Jared · Accepted Answer

Hi, 
 As stated, LE Audio is based on LC3 codec and isochronous channel. They are both software stuff, no hardware related, like PHY.(Is this right？) 
 Correct, the LE Audio specification is a software specification. However, the nRF5340 was made with the audio use-cases in mind, which is why it features an audio oscillator to enhance audio performance 
 https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ps_nrf5340/chapters/clock/doc/clock.html?cp=3_0_0_3_10_0_2#concepthfclkaudio 
 So for BT5.0/BT5.1 chips on the market, are they theoretically able to upgraded to have the isochronous channel in their controller stack and LC3 codec in APP? 
 Theoretically yes, but it is hard for me to speak for 'all BT5.0/BT5.1 chips'. If we instead look at the nRF5340 specifically, the answer is yes, as long as you have a way to update your application and network core images (DFU), then you may upgrade from non-LE Audio to LE Audio, correct. 
 Like phones with BT5.0/BT5.1 ,even with BT5.2, they don't have LE Audio support now, is it possible to upgrade their system to make it available? 
 Yes. The full LE Audio specification was finally released last week, and with that the work can begin to incorporate it into consumer devices. For instance, Android 13 will have full support for LE Audio, and so all devices which have a chipset capable of LE Audio that are upgraded to Android 13 will support LE Audio. 
 I would personally assume that this is the case for non-android devices as well, but I have yet to see any official confirmations of this anywhere yet. 
 regards 
 Jared

Is LE Audio only software stuff and BT5.0/5.1 chip can upgrade to support it?

Top Replies