Case Study: Automated Testing of Bluetooth Earbuds

How Nextgen Automation Assures Bluetooth Earbuds Quality 

The complexities of testing True Wireless Earbuds (TWS) present significant challenges for product developers. Manual testing's limitations, especially during extensive testing phases and complex scenarios, indicate that an automated test platform is more suited for development and QA testing. Nextgen’s ATAM Connect automation platform was chosen to tackle these challenges and met a range of specific requirements from the QA team for earbud tests.

ATAM Connect offers a suite of features tailored for the unique needs of TWS device testing. Adopting ATAM Connect's test automation can revolutionise the QA approach for TWS earbud testing. This case study explores the practical challenges of manual testing methodologies and how ATAM Connect emerged as the preferred solution for TWS testing, enhancing test coverage and scope.

Requirement 1: Extended Testing Durations

The necessity for enhanced testing became apparent with the need to test TWS devices over extended periods, such as continuous music playback until the earbuds' batteries were depleted. Manual testing lacked the precision required to accurately measure audio playback quality and identify subtle defects as the earbuds' battery charge decreased.

Solution:

ATAM Connect and Acoustic Head Simulator

The integration of ATAM Connect's TWS automated testing with an Acoustic Head Simulator was pivotal in providing the needed testing capabilities. Automated testing allowed for the reproduction of complex scenarios and use cases, identifying performance issues, and pinpointing bugs in edge case scenarios beyond the reach of manual testing alone.

Requirement 2: Device Control and Interaction

The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) QA team required a test automation solution that could manipulate and control both TWS devices and connected devices like laptops and mobile phones during testing. They also sought to automate consumer interactions, such as tapping the TWS earbuds to control volume, playback, or track changes.

Solution:

ATAM Connect Automation Tool

ATAM Connect's automation leverages an Acoustic Head Simulator and actuator control for the earbuds' touch controls, offering comprehensive control over TWS and connected devices. This includes phone control and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) devices, delivering an end-to-end solution for the testing process and providing a genuine assessment of performance and user experience.

Requirement 3: Simultaneous Audio Quality Testing and Analysis

The OEM needed to conduct complex audio quality tests, analysing key audio characteristics. This entailed detecting audio glitches during music streaming and performing hands-free voice quality assessments to calculate POLQA perceived voice quality scores.

Solution:

ATAM Connect Audio Analysis

ATAM Connect's audio analysis capabilities were crucial in fulfilling the stringent audio testing requirements. With features for audio glitch detection and detailed analysis based on factors like frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), and Perceptive Objective Listening Quality Assessment (POLQA) Scores, ATAM Connect offers a comprehensive tool for effectively benchmarking TWS device audio performance and quality.

Requirement 4: Easy-to-use Test Automation for QA Engineers

Recognizing the need for an automation solution accessible to the existing QA team, the OEM sought a platform that enables intuitive test creation to avoid the need for extensive training or hiring specialists in complex automation scripting languages. ATAM Connect's intuitive graphical user interface and codeless test creation allow the QA team to quickly start building automated test cases with a minimal learning curve.

Solution:

ATAM Connect Code-less GUI Automation

With its code-less, GUI-based script creation, ATAM Connect Automation became the ideal solution. The intuitive test creation process allowed the QA team to transition seamlessly to automated testing, enabling automated test programs to be designed and implemented within days without requiring extensive training.

Final Case Study Summary & Conclusion

Adopting ATAM Connect test automation for TWS earbuds has enhanced test efficiency and depth, accelerating product development and providing rapid regression testing. With improvements in QA capabilities, such as extended testing durations, control over connected devices, audio quality analysis, and intuitive codeless test creation, ATAM Connect test automation has accelerated time to market with robust testing. Precision-focused tools like the acoustic head simulator and earbud actuator control automation, along with codeless test creation, have not only addressed specific issues but have also revolutionized TWS testing, adding new capabilities and depth to the QA process.

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To find out how robust automation can help test Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds and provide a great customer experience for your use case, contact us today.