ST has recently launched an innovative category of MEMS sensors: biosensors. They embed a vertical analog front-end (vAFE) and a motion MEMS, expanding the range of applications beyond the usual target market segments.
What is a vertical analog front-end and how does it work?
A vertical analog front-end (vAFE) consists of very compact and low power analog circuitry for a specific analog function implemented together with a MEMS sensor. In particular, the vAFE is able to detect different kinds of biopotential signals.
vAFE and motion signals are intrinsically synchronous, and the result is an in-the-edge context aware analysis featuring low power and minimum possible latency, all without the impact of communication protocol delays.
Applications can benefit from the perfect synchronization of this analog input channel with MEMS sensing channels and other embedded resources like machine learning core (MLC) and finite state machine (FSM).
The most impressive feature, however, is that ST has fit all the above cutting-edge technologies into a single, standard package.
- Types of biosensors in our portfolio
- Biosensors with vAFE for biopotential signals and ultralow power accelerometer with AI and antialiasing
- Biosensors with vAFE for biopotential signals and 6-axis inertial measurement unit with sensor fusion and AI
Biosensor main applications:
The vertical analog front-end technology enables interaction with the external analog world, detecting biopotential signals that are useful for fitness and wellness, healthcare, and gesture recognition applications in wearable/portable devices.
- Gesture recognition
- Eye tracking
- Heart rate monitoring
- ECG
- Cognitive readiness
- Gestures recognition
- Heart rate monitoring
- ECG
- Cognitive recognition
- EEG
Key benefits:
- Unique combination of vital signs and motion signals in a very compact form-factor
- Hi-Fi signal recording: the embedded high-performance analog front-end (AFE) can measure even the weakest vital sign signals with high fidelity
- Ultralow power consumption: the few microamps required to record and process vital signs and motion information enables continuous monitoring of vital signs during any activity
- Edge AI processing to preprocess data and reduce system-level power consumption and data transfer
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Explore ST's innovative biosensors! By integrating motion MEMS with a vertical analog front-end (vAFE), they are setting the stage for cutting-edge predictive healthcare solutions.
