The SensiumTM: Designing a Robust and Reliable Ultra-Low Power System-on-Chip for Wireless Medical Monitoring

Alison Burdett, Toumaz Technology

Abstract

Medical devices need to achieve very high levels of reliability. Hardware redundancy and software self-test routines are typically employed to guarantee device operation, and extensive testing post-manufacture is needed. As a result, components designed for use in medical devices are significantly more expensive than similar components intended for use in consumer devices.

Toumaz Technology has recently developed the SensiumTM; an ultra-low power system-on-chip (SoC) for wireless medical monitoring. This SoC is integrated with appropriate sensors and printed battery to produce a disposable patch – or ‘digital plaster’ – which can be used to monitor the vital signs of a patient. Since the patch is disposable, low cost is important, but high levels of reliability are still necessary. This talk will discuss how self-test and reliability were inherently designed into the Sensium, to ensure the goals of robust operation and low manufacturing costs could both be achieved.

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Alison Burdett received the BEng degree in 1989 and Ph.D. in 1992, both from Imperial College, London. After working for GEC-Plessey as an integrated circuit designer, she re-joined the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College in 1994 as Senior Lecturer in Analog Circuit Design. In 2001 Dr Burdett left Imperial College to co-found Toumaz Technology Ltd, a fabless semiconductor company involved in ultra low power and RF integrated circuit design. She is currently Director of Technology at Toumaz Technology, and is responsible for technology development within the company, including the implementation of research programmes in conjunction with UK and international universities and industry. Dr Burdett is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (FIET) and a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (SMIEEE). Dr Burdett has published over 70 peer-reviewed technical publications and holds 15 patents.