HMicro HC1100 wearable wireless biosensor chip

HMicro and STMicroelectronics have launched a cooperation to create a single-chip solution for clinical-grade, single-use disposable smart patches and biosensors. The product, HC1100, targets wired wearable sensors, such as those for vital-sign monitors and electrocardiogram leads.

The chip is based on the WiPoint technology and a purpose-built silicon platform jointly created by HMicro and ST. HC1100 embeds three ultralow-power radios for Wi-Fi, ultrawideband and medical body area network (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 leverages ST ultralow-power design technology and wireless-connectivity IP to ensure long worry-free operation.

The multisensor 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. Its specifications meet key requirements for mission-critical products and functions through a robust wireless connection suitable for high sensor-data accuracy.