Bluetooth ref design adds echo cancellation feature

CSR has added echo cancellation to its RoadRunner Plug-n-Talk reference design for low-cost, handsfree applications.

RoadRunner Plug-n-Talk is a fully interoperable reference design that provides OEMs and ODMs with a package that can be easily customized to create a low-cost Bluetooth handsfree kit. The echo cancellation feature enhances sound quality in automotive electronics applications.

CSR's RoadRunner is based on BlueCore3-Multimedia with on-chip DSP and codec. Included in the package is CSR's BlueLab software, a configuration tool that offers full access to the source code. This allows designers to alter the flash memory parameters and change elements such as call handling, PIO assignment to buttons, MMI and ring tones, without disrupting Bluetooth device interoperability.

The integrated echo noise cancellation feature boasts a parameter manager, allowing fine-tuning to the final product. RoadRunner employs CSR's proprietary Clear Voice Capture (CVC) software, which also improves voice quality. The software combines advanced echo and noise suppression algorithms, which allow the speaker's voice to be transmitted to the caller at the other end of the line with more clarity.

A third-party text-to-speech (TTS) engine, provided by NowSpeak technologies, can be added as an option. It has been developed specifically for CSR's BlueCore-Multimedia technology. TTS offers voice prompts for hands-free operations, including incoming caller ID, PIN code alert announcements and fixed phrases during device operation.