ChromeOS Compatible - Audio Microphone Specification Module

Version: 2.0
Last updated: 2026-09-28

Overview

This specification module outlines the scope and specifications for Audio Microphone devices. It adds no standalone requirements of its own and relies entirely on two leaf modules:

Minimum and Additional Requirements

This specification document is divided into two sections:

  1. Minimum requirements describe the criteria for a peripheral category to be compatible.
  2. Additional requirements describe the criteria for certification.

Use these navigation buttons to show only the minimum or both the minimum and additional specification, respectively.

Audio Quality

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Capture Path - Mute

  • If there is any interface for users to mute the audio device, it MUST:
    • Maintain the mute state in a way that is not affected by:
      • Opening and closing the device.
      • Switching to another input device.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Along with the Minimum requirements, a peripheral MUST meet the following requirements to achieve certification:

Playback Path - Loudness

  • [Mandatory] The device MUST comply with EN50332 standards.

Capture Path - Mute

  • [Mandatory] If there is any interface for users to mute the audio device, it MUST:
    • Mute the device such that all recorded samples are zeros or within the range of \((level_{max} - level_{min}) \le 0.0028 \text{ dBFS}\).
      • If the device cannot meet the requirements, then the device SHOULD have a button to mute.
      • The mute button on the device SHOULD trigger the system mute (mic).
      • The mute button SHOULD trigger the system mute (mic) through the Telephony, or the Consumer interface can be waived.
  • [Mandatory] If the user presses the mute button on the device or OS, the mute state MUST change.
  • [Mandatory] If the device synchronizes the MUTE state with the OS, then the mute state indicator (e.g., LED) on the device MUST change.

Capture Path - Output Frequency Response

  • [Mandatory] The device MUST be fully functional using the factory default frequency response and gain settings without any manual adjustment of the capture gain on OS.

  • [Mandatory] The following table specifies the computed average RMS dBFS level output under signal level 94 dBSPL.

    Device type Output level range versus sine tone frequency
    1 kHz 4 kHz 7 kHz
    Bluetooth and USB [-15, -5] dBFS 1kHz value ±5 dB 1kHz value ±5 dB
    3.5 mm wired [-23, 0] dBFS [-23, 0] dBFS [-23, 0] dBFS

Note: In Bluetooth and USB devices, the response around the 4 kHz and 7 kHz tones is given relative to the response at 1 kHz.

Works With Meet Certification

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

There is an existing Google Meet hardware peripheral qualification program covering part of this spec.

Peripherals qualified by the program are exempted from the following qualification items:

  • Playback Path - Loudness
  • Capture Path - Output Frequency Response

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Along with the Minimum requirements, a peripheral MUST meet the following requirements to achieve certification:

  • None

Revision history

Date Version Notes
2026-09-28 2.0 Create pure-virtual microphone module include for ChromeOS Compatible specifications.
2026-08-26 1.0 Initial version.