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November 21, 2008
Ditech's VQABlue Makes Finding the Right Bluetooth Headset Easier
By Erik Linask, Group Managing Editor
There’s no question one of the most significant development of the last decade has been the evolution of the mobile phone, which now offer opportunities for not only voice calls, but also text messaging, Web browsing, location-based services, and much more. Indeed, mobile capabilities are evolving at a revolutionary pace today.
Still, for most users, the mobile device is still first and foremost a cell phone, used to place and receive voice calls from anywhere, including their cars — which has led to the growth of the Bluetooth market, especially with a growing number of states now mandating hands-free calling while driving.
But, anyone that has purchased a Bluetooth headset knows that they are not perfect, and that finding the right combination of fit and performance can be a challenge. I, myself, have tried a number of units — some have fit comfortably in my ear, while others have sounded good, but were difficult to position well. Unfortunately, the one model that seemed to offer the best combination of fit and performance was poorly designed, with easily removable parts — or, more accurately, parts that can fall off easily and become lost.
Fortunately, the ability to find a suitable Bluetooth earpiece may soon become easier, thanks to Ditech Networks, which is well known for its work in driving voice quality, particularly in the wireless space. Ditech announced its VQABlue solution for Bluetooth headsets and car kits. Simply put, VQABlue is a set of DSP-based algorithms designed to improve voice quality for both parties on a call, which is a significant enhancement over existing solutions that increase call quality for the party being called (e.g., voice quality delivered through the microphone), with no enhancement for the caller (e.g., voice quality through the speaker).
The trouble with these existing solutions is that, while called parties are able to understand the caller, the caller often has a hard time making out what is being said through the earpiece. In addition to simply making conversations difficult, it can lead to dissatisfaction with the Bluetooth device, the mobile handset, the carrier, or all three.
The difficulty in current design of headsets results from restrictions in microphone placement, which require users to position their units in a particular way to enjoy maximum effectiveness. With the VQABlue technology, manufacturers can place microphones in a range of locations, allowing more increased flexibility in positioning for individual users.
In addition to increased “wearability” and voice quality enhancements for the called party, which have already been implemented in earlier headsets — through Ditech’s Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Acoustic Echo Control algorithms — the new technology offers significantly improved quality for the user. VQABlue includes two new algorithms — Enhanced Voice Intelligibility and Adaptive Listener Enhancement — which deliver clearer, crisper sound to the headset wearer.
Importantly, VQABlue will not require headset makers to increase the size of their products — a key point, as many users have only recently begun using Bluetooth headsets, having been turned off by the significantly larger older models. Because it has low memory and power requirements, VQABlue can be implemented without any increase in the physical footprint of the devices. This also means developers are able to bring new models to market using their existing chipsets, stabilizing costs.Ditech has been successful increasing voice quality for both wireless and wireline carriers, including Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Global Crossing, West Corporation, and others. This new iteration of its voice quality brings the same technology that has been deployed by these customers to the Bluetooth market.
“Taking Ditech’s algorithms out of the network and putting them into headsets and car kits offers a powerful option to the Bluetooth market,” said Flint Pulskamp, program manager, wireless semiconductors research at IDC (News - Alert). “Ditech has more than 10 years invested in its DSP algorithms, and making that knowledge and experience available to the Bluetooth market is an important step in the growth of the industry.”
Because it has the potential to deliver significantly enhanced voice quality to both ends of a call, the VQABlue technology has the potential to drive customer satisfaction for all three participants in the wireless market today — carriers, handset manufacturers, and Bluetooth makers. With the introduction of VQABlue-enabled headsets, users will only have to content with finding a unit that fits comfortably — the voice quality will be improved in any of the devices.
Erik Linask (News - Alert) is Group Managing Editor of TMCnet, which brings news and compelling feature articles, podcasts, and videos to nearly 3,000,000 visitors each month. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Erik Linask
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