This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of a novel Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless audio transceiver
(SPARK Microsystems SR1020), which achieves lossless transmission of high-resolution audio up to (96 kHz/24-bit) with latencies below 10 milliseconds matching the quality of traditional wired connections. The evaluation utilizes a UWB-enabled USB dongle connected to a USB audio-compliant host for managing both the transmission and reception of audio data. Additionally, the system incorporates a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) configured as a headset reference design. This PCBA receives audio from the dongle and outputs it via I2S, S/PDIF, or a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) for analog reproduction.
To ensure the accuracy of the audio quality assessment, various audio signalsincluding pure tones, multi-tones, and non-sinusoidal waveforms designed to challenge the audio transmission pathare generated on a personal computer and processed through the evaluation platform. The audio output is then captured from the digital outputs to avoid potential quality degradation from the DAC. Audio fidelity is quantitatively analyzed using an Audio Precision measurement apparatus, a standard in audio analysis, to compare the performance of the UWB system against a conventional USB-to-S/PDIF converter, which serves as the wired reference. Additionally, data is collected and presented from commercially available Bluetooth wireless streaming modules supporting APT-X HD, APT-X LL (low latency), and LDAC.
The experimental setup focuses on tests conducted within a 1-meter line-of-sight environment, reflecting common use cases such as in wireless studio and gaming headsets. The frequency domain characteristics of the audio output are analyzed using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). Results from the tests confirm that the UWB transceiver reliably delivers artifact-free audio, matching the quality of traditional wired connections while maintaining consistent sub-10-millisecond latencies. This validation highlights the potential of UWB technology as a superior alternative for high-fidelity wireless audio applications.
Further research is proposed to compare this UWB technology against other advanced wireless audio transmission technologies. This future work aims to elaborate on the comparative audio quality and latency metrics, providing a deeper insight into the distinctive performance advantages of UWB technology.
(See document for exact affiliation information.)
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