Wireless biosensor platform frees patients from cables
Hmicro is a wireless solutions developer working in wireless peripherals and complex biosensor applications. With STMicroelectronics the two companies have launched their cooperation to create the first single-chip solution for clinical-grade, single-use disposable smart patches and biosensors. The product, the HC1100, targets the five billion wired wearable sensors, such as those for vital-sign monitors and electrocardiogram leads, utilized annually.
The HC1100 chip is based on WiPoint technology and a purpose-built silicon platform jointly created by HMicro and ST. HC1100, the first product based on WiPoint, embeds three ultra-low-power radios for Wi-Fi, Ultra-wideband, and Medical Band (MBAN), multiple sensor interfaces, an ARM Cortex M0 application processor, 352 kB of RAM, and power-management circuits, on a single chip.
The dual-core ARM Cortex M0 architecture uses ST ultra-low-power design technology and wireless-connectivity IP. The multi-sensor interfaces support monitoring of heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and respiration, as well as the capability to interface to MEMS microphones and motion MEMS sensors that could be used to monitor and detect patient behaviour via activity recognition. The HC1100’s specifications meet key requirements for mission-critical products and functions that demand ultra-high reliability through a robust wireless connection suitable for high sensor-data accuracy.
The WiPoint technology and the HC1100 employing it are the first results of the close cooperation between HMicro and ST. The companies’ next step is the deployment of this technology platform for other high-volume clinical and industrial IoT applications.
“Disrupting the current wired protocols of multi-monitor use is where we believe the IoT can be most effective in the medical and industrial settings,” said Surendar Magar, CEO and co-founder of HMicro, Inc. “Creating and developing a fully optimized, unique silicon platform makes possible the conversion of high-volume sensors to the equivalent wireless, disposable sensors. We aim to seamlessly cut the body wires in current clinical settings while maintaining the same clinical procedures and monitoring equipment.”
“…with HMicro we are merging ultra-low-power wireless connectivity with a high-resolution analog front-end and the best processing portfolio based on ARM platform,” said Benedetto Vigna, EVP and GM of STMicroelectronics’ Analog and MEMS Group. “The HC1100 is the first product of the new wireless sensor family that can find application whenever ultra-low-power RF and highly accurate sensor interfaces are needed.”
The HC1100 is already in high-volume production and is available from HMicro: www.hmicro.com
STMicroelectronics: www.st.com
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