APTX was founded in 1989 [from your alma mater, Queens University, Belfast]. What were the company's first audio projects back then?
APTX's first projects involved working with Comstream and IDC (International Data Casting) for the delivery of audio from sporting events such as the NBA over a satellite delivery network. APTX's core technology, the apt-X algorithm, was then put on a MASK ROM on the AT&T DSP16A part and it was branded as the APTX100ED chip. This was the world's first single chip audio codec solution.
In 2005, following a management buy-out, the company was described as reinvigorated, and involved in intellectual property. How has the company grown and developed in this time?
After the MBO in 2005 the company wanted to get back to its core roots as an Intellectual Property development house. The company recruited a team of IP development engineers and established a Licensing department with separate engineering, sales and marketing resources. In parallel the company grew its hardware team and developed a new range of audio codecs. Earlier in 2009 the company split into two distinct companies: APT Ltd focusing on hardware codecs for broadcasters, and APT Licensing Ltd (which trades as APTX) focused on the development and licensing of audio algorithms and associated IP. At Easter 2009, APT Ltd was sold to Audemat in France and APT Licensing is continuing to grow its portfolio of IP and its team of development Engineers on the back of the sale.
How is the adaptive, lossless architecture different to other adaptive audio technologies which compensate for power across the signals? How does it enhance audio quality and bandwidth efficiency?
It is a different form of adaptation then the type of adaptation use, for example, in signal power management. The purpose is to adapt (in real-time) the performance characteristics of the audio coding (compressed bit-rate, coding latency, computational complexity, etc) to best match the short-term characteristics of the audio data and the coding performance priorities specified by the external system or user.
How realistic is the prospect of the architecture being used in wearable, portable media players?
Realistic? Highly. apt-X Lossless is a great fit for wearable PMPs. These devices might someday communicate peer-to-peer via low-power radio personal area networks, allowing individuals to share music with groups nearby. The market value could be of a similar order to that of MP3: the average 21st century human being feels almost ‘naked' without a mobile or reasons it found early success in live outside broadcast, Electronic News Gathering and signal distribution - real-time, high-quality audio contribution over ISDN or IP networks from roving reporters or home-based DJs to the studio, and efficient distribution of the studio mix to distant transmitters or post-production facilities.
What areas of wireless devices are you targeting? Consumer? And if so, in what areas,i.e. speakers, sound-bars, etc? Or automotive, again what areas?
APTX is focused on creating audio coding solutions for mass markets. In consumer, and on the ‘source' side of the equation, APTX is aggressively targeting popular wireless multimedia devices: portable media players, 3G smartphones, netbooks, laptops, gaming consoles. On the ‘sink' or receiver side, yes: wireless headphones, sound-docks, speaker systems, microphones, intercoms. There are also openings for low bit-rate (LBR) audio coding in low-power 2-way radios and IP-based public address and CCTV systems.
The company is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. What advantages are there for the company being based there and for you personally?
Yes, we moved to a larger HQ nearly 2 years ago - and we have a sales office in Los Angeles. Belfast has an incredible industrial heritage and two excellent universities which turn out extremely talented electronics and software engineers with world-class embedded design skills. The local government agencies here are also very supportive of the ICT sector - especially when working on research projects. Belfast is also in a great time zone for working with Asia in the morning, Europe during the daytime, and with the USA in the evenings. The city itself is thriving commercially, with many new hotels, bars, shops and attractions for visitors - the Titanic centenary exhibition opens here in 2012.
