Broadcom, whose reputation is well established in the market for Wi-Fi circuits, is to expand its portfolio of wireless connectivity solutions for embedded Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) with a new software development kit (SDK) for developers.

Broadcom’s WICED Audio SDK enables developers to write programs to enable high-definition audio streaming over a Wi-Fi network. The SDK provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to deliver audio content to speakers directly from any device connected to the Wi-Fi network through an innovative solution without the use of a docking station or cable.

The company pre-integrated Apple AirPlay support into the SDK to enable media streaming from iOS devices. It also support smart TVs, portable speakers, media players, set-top boxes, sound bars and more using the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standard or an advanced streaming application for Android.

The SDK supports 16bit and 24bit audio samples, widely used audio codecs like WavPack and Celt, multiple audio sample rates (44.1 KHz, 48 KHz and 96 KHz) and extends 802.11nWi-Fi connectivity to audio speakers. The WICED Audio SDK will have I2S driver and API function calls to directly interface to audio DACs with precise clocking. In addition, it has synchronization algorithms that use timing information from Wi-Fi packets that deliver multi-room, multi-zone coverage to play different audio content in different areas of the home.

“We are building on the strength of our WICED platform to reach new customers in new markets, and with more wireless speakers hitting retail shelves, the audio industry represents a significant opportunity for Broadcom,” said Brian Bedrosian, Broadcom Senior Director, Embedded Wireless, Wireless Connectivity. “With a proven expertise in embedded high-performance Wi-Fi and a strong base of entertainment access and smartphone customers, the simplified integration of Broadcom’s WICED Audio SDK will help drive adoption of Wi-Fi audio in the home.”

Broadcom’s WICED platform is gaining significant traction with key Internet-of-Things innovators like Electric Imp. In addition to embedded Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Smart technology is also growing at a rapid rate and quickly becoming the core of many small, battery-operated wearable devices. Last month, the company announced the Broadcom BCM20736, a new Bluetooth Smart system-on-a-chip (SoC) that falls in its WICED family.  The Smart chip aims to address the rapidly growing opportunities in different market segments for wearables and the Internet of Things.