PIC32 Bluetooth audio development kit from Microchip

22nd October 2013

Nat Bowers

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Microchip introduce the new PIC32 Bluetooth Audio Development Kit. Delivering up to 24-bit 192 kHz audio, this full-featured devkit enables custom application development on the PIC32 microcontrollers for Bluetooth and USB digital audio solutions. Shipping with audio streaming demo code, the new PIC32 devkit has been tested with over 100 different Bluetooth audio-enabled devices from 18 different manufacturers.

The Advanced Audio Distribution Profile from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group has enabled convenient wireless stereo audio for applications such as smartphone home and automotive audio docks, wireless speakers, A/V receivers, all-in-one compact audio systems, and more. With Bluetooth audio support now a regular requirement for smartphone docking solutions, consumers can use their phone as a music source and as a remote control to select the song of their choice and play it from across the room.

Developers face challenges in RF design, software development, and certifications. Therefore a proven, easy to use, complete development kit is essential to enable them to start right out of the box. Since market requirements vary, developers also need the flexibility to customise their development platform to suit their target market.

In order to save significant certification costs, both the Hardware module and the A2DP audio software have been Bluetooth.org certified. The modular design allows developers to swap out the included daughter boards (one for Audio and one for Bluetooth), to create their own custom versions with their preferred audio and wireless solution.

The PIC32 Bluetooth Audio Development Kit supports USB Host and Device connectivity, Apple device authentication module interface, a 2-inch colour LCD, five general-purpose button switches, 5 LEDs and a Plug-In-Module interface for PIC32 microcontroller upgrades. The PIC32MX450F256 MCU is included which runs at 80 MHz with 256 KB Flash and 64 KB RAM. With such a broad feature-set and flexibility, the kit makes an excellent general-purpose development tool.

Microchip is also releasing the necessary Bluetooth Libraries for the kit that enable multiple audio and data profiles as well as USB digital audio. These include the Bluetooth Serial Port Protocol, the Bluetooth Audio Suite 1 (A2DP with the standard SBC CODEC support) and Bluetooth Audio Suite 2 (A2DP with SBC + AAC CODEC support).

The PIC32 Bluetooth Audio Development Kit (DV320032) priced at $199.99; the Bluetooth Audio Suite 1 (SW320014-1) priced at $299.00; and the Bluetooth Audio Suite 2 (SW320014-2) priced at $499.00, are available for purchase today.