Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
We are thrilled to announce that we’ll be at CES 2025!
Let’s meet in our “homes from home” in the Venetian Tower where we host exclusive meetings in Exhibit Suites 34-204 and 34-209 to showcase our latest developments.
Consumer Electronics Show 2025
Discover our audio codecs in Exhibit Suite 34-209
Immerse yourself in the world of audio. Discover the revolutionary xHE-AAC, MPEG-H Audio, and LC3/LC3plus technologies that are defining the future of sound in streaming, broadcasting, and wireless communication globally.
Efficient audio streaming with xHE-AAC
xHE-AAC is the latest generation of the renowned AAC codec line and already used in Netflix, Facebook stories, and Instagram Reels. The technology is natively supported in iOS, Android, Fire OS, and Windows. It provides DASH/HLS streaming at 12-320+ kbit/s, mandatory loudness and dynamic range control, and improved speech quality as well as stereo imaging.
A highlight of this year’s xHE-AAC presentation is the new anchor loudness feature. The innovation focuses on speech-gated loudness measurement within the xHE-AAC encoder. By normalizing loudness based on speech segments, it ensures a consistent audio experience without volume fluctuations, serving important standards like EBU R128 s4, and ATSC A/85.
MPEG-H Audio – Next-generation Broadcast and Streaming
MPEG-H Audio is a comprehensive Next Generation Audio (NGA) system with advanced personalization and accessibility options. It is the mandatory audio codec of Brazil’s new DTV+ broadcast standard and among the favored candidates in Japan’s current standardization process. MPEG-H Audio enables the creation and delivery of personalized immersive audio, which ensures accessibility through dialogue enhancement and audio description options. Sports broadcasts, for instance, can become customized experiences as MPEG-H Audio makes possible the selection of a language or favorite commentator, and choosing preferred sound settings like crowd sound, classic mix, and coaching zone. The playback is automatically optimized for the individual scenario and there are tools and solutions for the entire broadcast chain.
At CES, we will show that the system is fully operational by establishing a live broadcast chain including playback devices by leading CE manufacturers, and demonstrating the integrations into the most-used DAWs.
LC3/LC3plus: High-quality Audio for the Entire Communication Ecosystem
LC3/LC3plus was jointly developed by Ericsson and Fraunhofer IIS to address the drawbacks of today's wireless communication platforms. The low complexity of the codec meets the requirements of wireless communication platforms such as Bluetooth, DECT, and VoIP terminals. The extremely low delay of the technology makes it ideal for high-end gaming headsets and audio systems and the improved robustness ensures interruption-free phone calls. LC3plus is qualified for the Japan Audio Society Hi-Res Audio logo.
At CES, we will showcase LC3plus Lossless, which ensures a consistently great user experience by switching seamlessly between lossless and lossy modes of operation. We will also present the latest implementations into CE devices such as the AKG N5 Hybrid earbuds and the Sony ECM-S1 streaming microphone.
Meet our upHear range in Exhibit Suite 34-204
The upHear range of solutions enhance the sound quality of any content from voice signals to immersive audio masterpieces. On the way into and out of the device, our technologies provide pristine audio pickup as well as faithful reproduction – from classic stereo setups up to complex scenarios with multiple devices.
With our upHear Flexible Rendering technology you can turn several individual loudspeakers into an immersive arrangement wherever you want: The technology automatically combines them for the best possible experience. While being immersed in sound, you can add or remove as well as reposition devices and the upHear algorithm optimizes the sound image based on the current setup.
For a live demonstration of the upHear Microphone Processing technologies, step into our “office” in the suite and experience technologies including advanced AI-based Noise Reduction, which has such a tiny footprint that it is suitable for small devices, such as earbuds. You can also experience the range’s latest AI-enhanced features. With personalized voice isolation, users can create a “fingerprint” of their voice in seconds, which makes it possible to capture their voice while removing all others during a call. Together, the upHear technologies ensure a more pleasant and considerably less tiring conferencing experience.
upHear Mobile Audio will present true spatial playback on headphones from a multitude of sources – from legacy stereo to contemporary immersive formats. Experience top-notch sound quality and true immersion due to head-tracking compatibility with minimal latency. Discuss with our experts how our flexible low complexity algorithms may be deployed on a variety of technology platforms like smartphones, server applications, or even headphone DSPs.
Book your meeting now: We look forward to welcome you in our suites.