Advancements in semiconductor technology have paved the way for wearable devices that are not only lightweight and compact but also powered by ultra-low-power batteries. These systems are equipped with powerful microcontrollers capable of managing a wide array of sensors while maintaining communication through low-power RF links with external systems. The integration of advanced microcontrollers, ultra-low-power analog sensors, and innovative power supply solutions is driving significant growth in the wearable healthcare market.
Wearable medical devices have long been used to monitor vital body signals, providing physicians with valuable diagnostic information. These same devices are now being utilized in high-performance sports applications to optimize body functions. Today, similar monitoring products are available to consumers at more affordable prices, offering insights into health and performance optimization.
For health sensing and monitoring, many of the signals traditionally measured in clinical settings are now accessible through wearable products. These include:
- Pulse/Heart Rate
- Blood Oxygen Levels
- Blood Pressure
- Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)
- Body Temperature
- Ultraviolet Exposure
**Figure 1: Block Diagram of the Wearable Healthcare Monitoring Platform**
This system is built using high-performance, highly integrated circuits. The power efficiency of these ICs allows for body signal monitoring using either a compact, rechargeable lithium-ion battery or a replaceable, non-rechargeable button battery.
While many product features are implemented through firmware algorithms, the physical design serves as the foundation for carrying these features. Once the platform is established, it can be reused across various product lines.
Power and Battery Management
Power is a crucial consideration in any wearable healthcare platform. These devices need to be small and unobtrusive, requiring the use of a very small, lightweight battery. The battery's capacity and the platform's power consumption directly impact the device's usability. Ideally, any wearable product should last at least a day before needing to be recharged. For non-rechargeable battery models, the expected battery life should span several months.
For devices with rechargeable batteries, the battery management system must include both a charger and a fuel gauge. It should also allow the device to operate while charging.
Since the battery is a voltage source with a decreasing output, the power supply system must be capable of regulating the voltage. High efficiency is essential to maximize charge usage, and the system must also accommodate the necessary voltage rails. Rechargeable lithium batteries typically operate within a range of 4.2V to 3.2V. Most wearable products utilize a main power rail that is lower than the lowest charge of a single-cell lithium battery, meaning the main rail is derived from a buck regulator. Some features may require voltage levels higher than what a single battery can provide, necessitating the inclusion of at least one boost regulator. The number of power rails needed depends on the device’s capabilities, but minimizing the number of rails is key to achieving optimal efficiency.
Processor
When selecting a microcontroller for this application, power consumption and processing power are the primary considerations. A systematic approach to partitioning the system helps determine which functions should be integrated into the microcontroller and which can be managed externally. Since wearable health devices rely on reading body signals, the accuracy of any on-chip analog circuitry is crucial for handling low-level signals effectively.
There are two general low-power strategies for microcontrollers: one that includes all or most of the precision analog circuitry, and another that uses a lower-cost microcontroller without sophisticated analog capabilities. If a less expensive microcontroller is chosen, external signal processing chains will be required to convert sensor signals into digital inputs for the microcontroller. Ultra-small, high-precision, low-power analog circuitry can support this option.
The most common microcontrollers used in wearable applications are based on ARM architectures optimized for low power consumption. Depending on the device’s processing needs, the processor will typically range from 16 to 32 bits. These processors integrate multiple power modes, allowing the system software to program shutdowns and enable sensor-based wake-ups.
Sensors and Sensor Interface
Many sensors are employed to monitor body signals within wearable devices. Sensor technology for capturing these signals has existed for decades, but recent developments have made it possible to achieve high-quality signals with minimal power consumption.
Sensor technology can measure:
- Blood Oxygen Levels
- Heart Rate
- ECG/EKG
- Blood Pressure
- Body Temperature
The electrical output from these sensors is very low, often in the millivolt range. Many of these sensors come with integrated amplification and conversion circuitry, providing more advanced analog or serialized digital signals. Their interface circuits are designed for ultra-low power operation.
For ECG sensors, these are essentially skin contacts that collect tiny electric fields and transmit signals to the EKG signal chain. Low-cost wearable ECGs are limited to 2-3 touchpoints and lack the resolution of professional systems with 9-11 sensors spread across the body.
Communication
Modern wearable devices typically feature a micro USB port for data transfer, firmware updates, and battery charging. Additionally, many wearable health products incorporate low-power wireless transceivers for real-time data transmission during use. Wireless communication enables data transfer to larger displays or remote acquisition devices. Bluetooth Low Energy is becoming a popular standard for this purpose. NFC (Near Field Communication) offers limited-range wireless connectivity, ideal for transferring short bursts of information like configuration details or recorded data.
The Maxim MAX66242 Secure RFID Tag authenticates users and only accepts communications from verified sources via NFC.
User Interface
The user interface of a wearable product varies based on its intended functionality. Due to the importance of low-power design, displays are kept minimal. Depending on the product, the user interface might include a single-line LCD display with several control buttons. Products requiring more information might feature a low-power TFT display, potentially with touch-screen capabilities.
As processing power becomes increasingly affordable and powerful, many wearable devices may eventually incorporate voice command interfaces.
Main Components
Health Measurement Microcontroller MAX32600
The MAX32600 microcontroller is based on the industry-standard ARM Cortex-M3 32-bit RISC CPU, running up to 24 MHz. It features 256 KB of flash memory, 32 KB of SRAM, a 2 KB instruction cache, and an integrated high-performance analog peripheral.
The MAX32600 is available in 192-bump 12 mm × 12 mm CTBGA packages with 120 solder balls, 7 mm × 7 mm CTBGA packages, and 108-bump WLP packages. In addition to Maxim's free development tools, the MAX32600 also supports IAR's Embedded Workbench. IAR Embedded Workbench combines a compiler, assembler, linker, and debugger within a single IDE. It is user-friendly, offers advanced optimizations, and is well-integrated with hardware, RTOS products, and middleware. The IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM is available in several versions, including a specific suite for the ARM Cortex-M core family.
These advancements continue to push the boundaries of wearable healthcare, making these technologies more accessible and functional than ever before.
HP series High power high-voltage power supply is the first generation high-power HVPS designed by iDealTek-Electronics, adopting the standard 19-inch chassis structure to facilitate the integrated installation of high-voltage systems. The output power ranges from 5kW to 15kW (single unit), with the output voltage ranging from 1KV to 60kV.
HPS series ultra-high-power high-voltage power supplies are developed on the basis of HP series using internal high-power high voltage modules in parallel built in 19-inch standard cabinet with control, inverter, high voltage transformer split design structure, output power ranges from 50KW to 300KW with output voltage up to 300KV. The power supplies adopt a mixed cooling method of air cooling of the control part, water cooling and oil cooling of the main power unit. The internal module redundancy technology and perfect protection circuit ensure the excellent reliability of the power supply under high-voltage and high-power output.
Compared with the traditional linear high power High Voltage Power Supplies, our high-power high voltage power supplies of IGBT-based topology can achieve output power beyond that of the linear high voltage power supplies and also break through the ceiling where the output voltage cannot exceed tens of KV, besides the same electronic characteristics of high precision low ripple and high stability as the linear high-voltage power supplies, our high power high voltage power supplies are also featured for high efficiency, fast response characteristics that linear high voltage power supply can't match.
At present, the production of high power high voltage power supplies is difficult and the applications are diverse and scattered. Basically, they are mainly customized. The industries that have been aiding include mining gravel, ultra-high-power capacitor charging, electron beam melting, electron gun, ion acceleration, ion implantation and other cutting-edge industries.
High Power High Voltage Power Supplies
The High-power High Voltage Power supply is a customized high-voltage power supply family developed by iDealTek-Electronics based on the design and development of IGBT switching elements.
HP series High power high-voltage power supply is the first generation high-power HVPS designed by iDealTek-Electronics, adopting the standard 19-inch chassis structure to facilitate the integrated installation of high-voltage systems. The output power ranges from 5kW to 15kW (single unit), with the output voltage ranging from 1KV to 60kV.
HPS series ultra-high-power high-voltage power supplies are developed on the basis of HP series using internal high-power high voltage modules in parallel built in 19-inch standard cabinet with control, inverter, high voltage transformer split design structure, output power ranges from 50KW to 300KW with output voltage up to 300KV. The power supplies adopt a mixed cooling method of air cooling of the control part, water cooling and oil cooling of the main power unit. The internal module redundancy technology and perfect protection circuit ensure the excellent reliability of the power supply under high-voltage and high-power output.
Compared with the traditional linear high power High Voltage Power Supplies, our high-power high voltage power supplies of IGBT-based topology can achieve output power beyond that of the linear high voltage power supplies and also break through the ceiling where the output voltage cannot exceed tens of KV, besides the same electronic characteristics of high precision low ripple and high stability as the linear high-voltage power supplies, our high power high voltage power supplies are also featured for high efficiency, fast response characteristics that linear high voltage power supply can't match.
At present, the production of high power high voltage power supplies is difficult and the applications are diverse and scattered. Basically, they are mainly customized. The industries that have been aiding include mining gravel, ultra-high-power capacitor charging, electron beam melting, electron gun, ion acceleration, ion implantation and other cutting-edge industries.
High Power HV Power Supplies, High Power High-voltage Power Supplies, High-Power High-voltage Power Supplies, High-Power High Voltage Power Supplies, High-Power HV Power Supplies
Yangzhou IdealTek Electronics Co., Ltd. , https://www.idealtekpower.com