FlooGoo FMA120 Bluetooth Audio Source Dongle User Guide

FlooGoo FMA120 Bluetooth Audio Source Dongle

Introduction

The FMA120 is a dual-mode Bluetooth 5.4 USB audio source dongle that allows users to upgrade their source devices such as phones, laptops, TVs, and various other audio equipment. It adds features like the aptX Adaptive codec and Auracast™ broadcast audio functionality. It also supports low-energy (LE) audio unicast for both music and voice, and is compatible with Bluetooth classic headsets, speakers, and earbuds.

Quick Start

When the dongle is being used for the first time, it will automatically initiate a search for nearby Bluetooth headsets. Please ensure your Bluetooth headsets are also in pairing mode for the connection. Keep them in close proximity, as the dongle will prioritize pairing with the nearest device.

It acts as a standard USB audio device with both speaker and microphone channels. When the OS selects the appropriate channel for music or voice, the dongle sets up a Bluetooth audio connection to transmit data to/from the remote device. For instance, in applications like Skype, which use both the microphone and speaker channels, classic Bluetooth headsets utilize the Hands- Free Profile (HFP), while LE audio headsets use the Telephony and Media Audio Profile (TMAP). In both scenarios, a two-way audio call is established on the headset.

Advanced Functionalities

To access the advanced functions of the dongle, please download the corresponding host app for your system.

For Windows, you can download the app from the Microsoft Store at the following link: FlooCast on Microsoft Store

For Mac and Linux, the app is available as an open-source GitHub repository provided below: FlooCast on GitHub

Please note that the device firmware update function is exclusively available in the Windows app.

The dongle has three modes: high quality, gaming, and broadcast. The active codec will be displayed in the ‘Codec in Use’ panel, along with the overall dongle state in the ‘Dongle State’ and the low-energy audio state in the ‘LE Audio State’ panel accordingly. The table below displays the preferred audio codec when supported by the remote device under high-quality and gaming mode. If the preferred codec is not supported by the remote device, SBC is the default for classic Bluetooth devices, while LC3 is the default for LE audio devices.

|

Music Unicast

|

Bi-directional Voic e

---|---|---
| Classic BT| LE Audio| Classic BT| LE Audio
High-quality| aptX adaptive| LC3| mSBC| LC3
Gaming| aptX adaptive| aptX lite| mSBC| aptX lite

In broadcast mode, LC3 is utilized as mandated by the LE audio standard.

After launching the app, it will retrieve and display the current working mode along with other settings of the dongle.

Altered settings are stored within the dongle, and it will operate with the new settings the next time it powers on. The app is not necessary unless you need to configure new settings.

To manually initiate a new pairing, click the ‘+’ button in the ‘Most Recently Used Devices’ section, and the dongle will search for the closest Bluetooth headset device in pairing mode, automatically establishing a connection. The name of the paired and connected device will be displayed in the list along with those devices that have been used before.

As the FMA120 is a dual-mode audio source dongle, it can operate with both classic Bluetooth headsets and the latest Bluetooth low-energy audio headsets. For headsets that also support dual-mode, the app allows you to set your preference for either using classic Bluetooth or LE audio to stream audio.

Broadcast mode

There are five settings for LE audio broadcast.
Public broadcast.

When enabled, the public audio broadcast (PBP) feature is activated, and the dongle functions as a Public Broadcast Source (PBS). When disabled, the dongle operates as a Broadcast Media Sender (BMS) as defined in TMAP.

Broadcast high-quality music.
When enabled, the dongle will use a 48 kHz sample rate for music content during broadcasting. When disabled, the dongle will utilize a 16 kHz sample rate for voice content.

Encrypt broadcast.
If enabled, an encryption code is used to restrict access to the broadcast content, similar to a Wi-Fi access code, and only those receivers that know the code can access it.

Broadcast name.
This is a human-readable string for the receiver to distinguish between multiple nearby broadcasters.

Broad code.
This is an encryption code to be used in the broadcast. When the input code length is less than 16 bytes, it will be padded to 16 bytes with zeros.

Specification & Features

• Bluetooth V5.4, Class 1 Bluetooth v5.4, +15dBm BR/LE TX power, – 97dBm BR and -100.5dBm BLE 1M sensitivity
• Dual-mode, compatible with Bluetooth Classic HFP/A2DP headsets/speakers and future LE audio hearables
• Qualified design, supporting A2DP, AVRCP, TMAP, PBP (Auracast)
• Optimized with Qualcomm® Snapdragon® Sound for robust connectivity and ultra-low latency
• Supports aptX™, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive audio codecs
• USB-A connector with composite device capabilities, including HID and virtual COM port, allowing audio playback and voice call control from Bluetooth headsets and earbuds
• Firmware upgrade via USB for easy updates
• LE Audio Gaming mode with Voice back Channel for ultra-low latency (25.5ms)
• LE Audio Unicast Music with media control (MCP)
• LE Audio Unicast Voice with call control (CCP)
• LE Broadcast source supports Telephony and Media Audio Profile (TMAP) and Public Broadcast Profile (PBP)
• Volume control using VCP (Virtual COM Port)
• Microsoft Teams compatibility
• CE/FCC/RCM
• Contains FCC ID 2A22WFMB120
• USB-A plug, 5V 100mA
• Operational Temperature: -40°C to +70°C
• Dimensions: 38.6mm x 19.5mm x 6.8mm
• Item weight: 3.8g
• Package weight: 6.8g
• Package size: 10cm x 6.2cm x 0.8 cm

Troubleshooting Q&A and Support

Q: The LED doesn’t flash or light up when I insert it into a USB port.
A: FlooGoo FMA120 can be inserted into a USB-A socket from both sides, but it only works when the correct side is used. Check if the golden connectors on FMA120’s USB connector are contacting the receptors of the USB port when inserted.
Q: Can I use the dongle with Raspberry Pi, smart TV and projector?
A: FMA120 functions as a standard USB audio device. With the latest version of Raspbian, it is detected automatically. You can use command “aplay -l” to verify if it has been recognized successfully. For Android-based smart TV or projectors, please activate the developer mode and ensure that “Disable USB audio routing” is not enabled.
Q: Do I need to keep the desktop app running to use the dongle?
A: No, you don’t need to keep the desktop app running to use the dongle. The dongle retains its settings, allowing you to set it up on one host and use it on another.
Q: How do I enable the aptX codec, including aptX HD and Adaptive), when using a compatible headset?
A: The dongle will automatically select the best codec when connecting to a compatible headset, you can confirm the chosen codec in the “Codec in Use” panel in the desktop app.
Q: I already have a standard Bluetooth adapter, will FMA120 conflict with it?
A: No, the FMA120 runs all its functions, including the Bluetooth stack, within the embedded high-performance processors inside. It doesn’t require additional drivers on the host, so it won’t conflict with other Bluetooth adapters.
Q: Do I need to reset the dongle to apply a new setting?
A: Switching between high-quality and gaming modes usually takes effect immediately. However, for other settings change, such as parameters for broadcast, a reset is recommended.
Q: Where can I find the latest firmware for the dongle?
A: You can find the latest firmware through the Support Link, which is also accessible from the desktop app.

References

• Microsoft Apps
• GitHub - Flairmesh/FlooCast: This desktop application is designed for configuring Flairmesh Technologies' Bluetooth V5.4 dual-mode USB audio source dongle FMA120.
• FMA120

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