Bluetooth LE Audio Test Infrastructure

The introduction of Bluetooth® Core Specification 5.2 has paved the way for new audio transmission features, like LE Audio and Auracast™, revolutionizing the audio technology landscape. This bachelor thesis, conducted in collaboration with Sonova Holding AG, aims to develop a test infrastructure to facilitate the testing of Auracast™ features in Bluetooth® LE Audio devices.

Given the limited adoption and support for Auracast™, there were not many existing solutions for testing available at the start of this thesis. The main goal of this thesis is to extend the existing test infrastructure of Sonova with a controlled environment for testing broadcast receivers, ensuring they can effectively receive and process Auracast™ broadcasts.

The test setup comprises two Nordic nRF5340 Audio Development Kits, configured as broadcast transmitter and assistant. A .NET-based library manages communication between the boards and the existing test infrastructure, allowing to set up an Auracast™ environment. Existing sample applications for the Nordic boards were translated from C to C++ and customized to meet the project’s requirements. Additionally, a small console application was developed to test the setup locally.

The successful implementation of this project will contribute to the advancement of audio technologies, enhancing the use of end-user devices and enabling the development of innovative audio products. This thesis serves as a first step in adding Auracast™ capabilities to the test environment, which Sonova will continue to adjust to meet their evolving needs.

The future of Auracast™ appears promising, with many companies quickly adopting the trend. Some earbuds and smartphones already support the new features, and we are hopeful to see more widespread adoption in the near future.