Collaboration with HMicro to Co-Launch Wearable Wireless Bio Sensor Platform

Wireless solutions developer HMicro, Inc. and STMicroelectronics (hereinafter ST) announced that they have jointly developed the industry's first clinical-grade single-chip solution for disposable smart patches and bio sensors.

The HC1100 product targets the wired wearable sensor market, which consists of approximately 5 billion units annually used for vital sign monitoring and electrocardiogram leads.

<Reference: HMicro Website>

The HC1100 chip is based on WiPoint™ technology and is a silicon platform developed through collaboration between HMicro and ST for specialized applications. As the first product based on WiPoint, the HC1100 integrates three ultra-low-power wireless functions for Wi-Fi, Ultra-wideband, and MBAN (Medical Band), multiple sensor interfaces, an ARM® Cortex®-M0 application processor, 352kB RAM, and power management circuitry on a single chip.

With a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0 architecture, it leverages ST's ultra-low-power design technology and wireless connectivity IP to operate reliably over long distances. The multiple sensor interfaces support heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and respiratory monitoring, while also enabling interfacing with MEMS microphones and motion MEMS sensors for behavior recognition functionality to detect and monitor patient movement.

The patent-protected specifications of the HC1100 meet the core requirements of mission-critical products and functions that require excellent reliability through robust wireless connectivity for superior accuracy of sensor data. Additionally, the HC1100 achieves excellent cost efficiency and optimization levels while satisfying these stringent conditions.

WiPoint technology and the HC1100 based on it represent the first result of close collaboration between HMicro and ST. The two companies aim next to implement this technology platform in other high-volume clinical devices and industrial IoT applications.

Clinical-Grade Solution for Wireless Processing of Vital Sign Monitoring and Electrocardiography

Surendar Magar, co-founder and CEO of HMicro, stated, "Looking at medical and industrial settings, I believe the multi-monitor wired protocol is the field where IoT can be applied most efficiently," and added, "Through the development of a fully optimized dedicated silicon platform, it is possible to convert traditional sensors into comparable disposable wireless sensors. Our goal is to seamlessly remove the cables currently present in clinical settings while maintaining the same clinical procedures and monitoring equipment."

Benedetto Vigna, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Analog and MEMS Group Business at ST, said, "ST has led the MEMS revolution in the consumer market for the past 10 years by providing cost-effective ultra-low-power micro sensors. Now, together with HMicro, we are integrating ultra-low-power wireless connectivity with our best processing portfolio based on high-resolution analog front-end and ARM platform," and noted, "HC1100 is the first product in a new line of wireless sensor products suitable for applications requiring ultra-low-power RF and high-accuracy sensor interfaces."

The HC1100 is currently in mass production and is available for purchase through HMicro.