STMicroelectronics’ innovative biosensing technology enables next-generation wearables for individual healthcare and fitness
Rhea-AI Summary
STMicroelectronics has unveiled the ST1VAFE3BX, a new bio-sensing chip designed for next-generation healthcare wearables. The chip combines biopotential input for cardio and neurological sensing with motion tracking and embedded AI capabilities.
The device integrates a high-accuracy vertical analog front end (vAFE) for vital signs detection, an accelerometer for inertial sensing, and ST's machine-learning core for autonomous activity detection. Priced at $1.50 for orders of 1000 units, it operates with low power consumption of 50µA typical current and features a 12-bit ADC resolution with 3200Hz maximum output data rate.
Positive
- Launch of innovative biosensor chip combining multiple functionalities in a compact 2mm x 2mm package
- Early adoption by key customers BM Innovations and Pison for new product development
- Competitive pricing at $1.50 per unit for 1000-unit orders
- Low power consumption at 50µA typical operating current
- Integration of AI capabilities for autonomous processing, reducing power consumption
Negative
- None.
Insights
The ST1VAFE3BX represents a significant technological leap in wearable healthcare devices. The integration of biopotential sensing with motion tracking and AI in a single
The chip's embedded AI core and machine learning capabilities for on-device processing reduce dependency on external processors, potentially lowering production costs and improving device responsiveness. The 12-bit ADC resolution and 3200Hz sampling rate enable medical-grade monitoring accuracy, positioning this solution for both consumer and medical device markets.
This product launch strengthens STMicroelectronics' position in the rapidly growing wearable healthcare market. Early adoption by BM Innovations and Pison validates the market demand and potential applications beyond traditional wrist-worn devices. The expansion into patches and specialized monitoring devices could open new revenue streams in the medical device sector.
The timing aligns with increasing consumer focus on health monitoring and preventive care. The chip's versatility and competitive pricing at
STMicroelectronics’ innovative biosensing technology
enables next-generation wearables for individual healthcare and fitness
Highly integrated biosensor device combines input channel for cardio and neurological sensing with motion tracking and embedded AI core
Demonstration to take place at Electronica 2024, Munich, November 12-15
Geneva, Switzerland, October 28, 2024 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has introduced a new bio-sensing chip for the next generations of healthcare wearables like smart watches, sports bands, connected rings, or smart glasses. The ST1VAFE3BX chip combines a high-accuracy biopotential input with ST’s proven inertial sensing and AI core, which performs activity detection in the chip to ensure faster performance with lower power consumption.
“Wearable electronics is the critical enabling technology for the upsurge in individual health awareness and fitness. Today, everyone can have heart-rate monitoring, activity tracking, and geographical location on their wrist,” said Simone Ferri, APMS Group VP, MEMS Sub-Group General Manager at STMicroelectronics. “Our latest biosensor chip now raises the game in wearables, delivering motion and body-signal sensing in an ultra-compact form-factor with frugal power budget.”
Analysts at Yole Development see opportunities for wearable monitors transcending the general wellness market, including consumer healthcare devices that are approved by health organizations and available over the counter1. By creating a complete precision sensor input in silicon, ST’s chip-design experts are facilitating innovation in all segments, with advanced capabilities such as heart-rate variability, cognitive function, and mental state.
The ST1VAFE3BX provides opportunities to extend wearable applications beyond the wrist to other locations on the body, such as intelligent patches for lifestyle or medical monitoring purposes. ST customers BM Innovations GmbH (BMI) and Pison are working at the frontiers in this sector and have quickly adopted the new sensor to drive new-product development.
BMI is an electronic design contracting company experienced in wireless sensing and with an extensive portfolio of projects including several leading-edge heart rate and performance monitoring systems. “ST’s new biosensor has enabled us to develop the next generation of precise athlete performance monitoring systems including ECG analysis in a chest band or a small patch,” said Richard Mayerhofer, Managing Director BM innovations GmbH. “Combining the analog signal from the vAFE with motion data from the acceleration sensor within a compact single package facilitates precise and context-aware data analysis. And with additional support for our AI algorithms directly on the sensor, this is exactly what we have been looking for.”
David Cipoletta, CTO of Pison, a developer focusing on advanced technologies to enhance health and human potential, added, “ST’s new biosensor stands out as a great solution for smartwatch gesture recognition, cognitive performance, and neurological health. Leveraging this advancement, we have significantly enhanced the functionality and user experience of our wearable devices."
The ST1VAFE3BX is in production now in a 2mm x 2mm 12-lead LGA package and available from the eSTore (free samples available) and distributors from
Visitors to Electronica 2024, the major industry trade event happening in Munich November 12-15, can see the ST1VAFE3BX in a sensing technologies demonstration at the ST booth, Hall C3 101. More information is available online at www.st.com/biosensors
Further technical information
The analog front-end circuits for biopotential sensors are difficult to design and subject to unpredictable effects such as skin preparation and the position of electrodes attached to the body. The ST1VAFE3BX provides a complete vertical analog front end (vAFE) that simplifies the detection of different types of vital signs that can indicate physical or emotional state.
Manufacturers of wellness and healthcare devices can thus extend their product ranges to include functionality such as electrocardiography (ECG), electroencephalography (EEG), seismocardiography (SCG), and electroneurography (ENG). This can drive the emergence of new devices that are affordable, easy to use, and reliably indicate health status or physiological responses to events such as stress or excitement. The future could contain a greater diversity of wearable devices that can contribute towards enhanced healthcare, fitness, and self-awareness.
Bringing this precision front end on-chip, the ST1VAFE3BX is building on ST’s established competencies in MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) devices by integrating an accelerometer for inertial sensing. The accelerometer provides information about the wearer’s movement, which is synchronized with the biopotential sensing to help the application infer any link between measured signals and physical activity.
The ST1VAFE3BX also integrates ST’s machine-learning core (MLC) and finite state machine (FSM) that enable product designers to implement simple decision trees for neural processing on the chip. These AI skills let the sensor handle functions such as activity detection autonomously, offloading the main host CPU to accelerate system responses and minimize power consumption. In this way, ST’s sensors let smart devices provide more sophisticated functions and operate for longer between battery charging, enhancing usability. ST also provides software tools like MEMS Studio in the ST Edge AI Suite dedicated to helping designers unleash the maximum performance from the ST1VAFE3BX, including tools for configuring decision trees in the MLC.
The ST1VAFE3BX’s bio-detection signal channel comprises the vAFE with programmable gain and 12-bit ADC resolution. The maximum output data rate of 3200Hz is suitable for a wide variety of biopotential measurements to quantify heart, brain, and muscular activity.
The device is powered from a supply voltage in the range 1.62V to 3.6V and has typical operating current of just 50µA, which can be cut to just 2.2µA in power-saving mode.
The integrated low-noise accelerometer has programmable full-scale range from ±2g to ±16g.
In addition to the machine-learning core and programmable finite state machine, which can provide functionality such as activity detection, the ST1VAFE3BX implements advanced pedometer, step detector, and step counting functions.
About STMicroelectronics
At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.
For Press Information Contact:
Alexis Breton
Corporate External Communications
Tel: +33.6.59.16.79.08
alexis.breton@st.com
1 Report “Sensors and Actuators for Wearables 2023” (www.yolegroup.com)
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