Broadcom's Bluetooth headset solution adds noise cancellation

The new single-chip ROM-based device leverages a ROM-based architecture to implement its unique SmartAudio noise and echo reduction algorithms that enhance audio quality without adding components.

The ROM-based architecture can reduce bill of materials (BOM) cost by 40 percent, enabling OEMs to offer high-end audio capabilities at the same cost as basic headsets.

The BCM2044S is footprint-compatible with the predecessor Broadcom BCM2044, enabling OEM customers to cost effectively offer multi-tiered product lines based on a common hardware platform.

Broadcom SmartAudio technology intelligently analyzes digital audio streams within the Bluetooth headset, differentiating between voice and non-voice characteristics while eliminating background noise to deliver a clearer voice conversation.

SmartAudio technology also automatically increases the volume on the headset when the user walks into a noisy environment, intelligently adjusting the output to maximize comfort for the headset user without the need to touch any buttons.

Broadcom unveiled its BCM92044 reference design that provides headset OEMs with a greatly reduced 2-layer printed circuit board (PCB), versus alternative solutions that require PCBs with four or six layers.

The reference design supports extremely small audio devices and requires about 30 percent fewer external components when compared to competing solutions. It includes Broadcom's industry-leading Bluetooth software, along with essential development tools to accelerate time-to-market for customer products.

Broadcom also conducts extensive interoperability testing with other Bluetooth devices, and to date, the BCM92044 reference design has been validated with over 200 Bluetooth devices and that list continues to grow.

The BCM2044S single-chip solution and BCM92044 reference design are sampling to early access customers. Pricing is available upon request.

More information is available at www.broadcom.com.