Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has several names, including micro-electro-mechanical systems, and micromechatronic systems. In Japan, MEMS is called micromachines, while in Europe, it’s referred to as microsystem technology (MST). Whatever name that’s used, MEMS devices are made using components measuring from 1 to 100 μm (0.001 to 0.1 mm), with MEMS devices ranging from 20 μm […]
Wearables
Analog front end reduces, size, extends life of remote-patient monitoring devices
Reduce the size and extend the life of bioimpedance (BioZ) remote-patient monitoring (RPM) devices with the MAX30009 low-power, high-performance BioZ analog front-end (AFE) from Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI). For developers of small, battery-powered, continuously wearable devices, this AFE on a chip offers clinical-grade vital sign measurements of bioimpedance analysis for patient health assessment for wellness wearables and […]
Single-chip AFE integrates optical, ECG, and bio-impedance measurement systems
Simplify the design of wearable remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices by measuring four vital signs with one MAX86178 triple-system vital signs analog front end (AFE) from Analog Devices, Inc. This single-chip AFE integrates three measurement systems (optical, ECG, and bio-impedance) to obtain four common vital signs: electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), heart rate (ECG or optical […]
What is passive intermodulation?
Passive intermodulation (PIM) is a pernicious and destructive phenomenon for cellular network operators. PIM shows up as a set of unwanted signals created by mixing two or more strong RF signals. Mixing generally produces the sum and difference frequencies of the two transmit signals F1 and F2. These signals are F1 + F2 and F1 […]
Ultraminiature multilayer ceramic chip inductors work up to 10 GHz
AVX Corporation released a new series of ultraminiature multilayer ceramic chip inductors for high-frequency RF applications. The new LCCI Series inductors are currently available in three standard EIA chip sizes — 0201, 0402, and 0603 — with tight-tolerance physical dimensions almost exclusively in the submillimeter range and tin-plated surface-mount terminations, enabling compatibility with high-density PCBs […]
Voice-first evaluation kit features analog processor and live-audio test option
Aspinity launched its Voice-First Evaluation Kit (EVK2), a complete hardware/software development kit that demonstrates Aspinity’s ultra-low-power edge processing solution for analog voice activity detection and preroll. The new EVK2 enables customers to easily integrate analog machine learning and analog data compression into battery-operated voice-enabled devices, such as hearables/wearables, smart speakers, and smart TV remotes, facilitating […]
Capacitor technology combines multiple cap values on single die
Empower Semiconductor announced a breakthrough with the highest performance, most configurable, and smallest commercially available range of capacitors. E-CAP is a vastly superior performing capacitor, far exceeding the semiconductor industry’s previously leading Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCC). The capacitor is one of the most basic and fundamental components in electronics needed for energy storage and supply […]
The single-chip loudspeaker: First fully MEMS-based speakers target earphone apps
What is billed as the world’s first monolithic true MEMS speaker is just one millimeter thick and is said to deliver high fidelity, full-bandwidth sound and low total harmonic distortion (THD) for sealed in-ear personal audio devices, including true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds. Called Montara by its creator xMEMS Labs in Los Altos, Calif., the […]
4 μA accelerometer extends battery life in wearables and IoT applications
At the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA, Bosch Sensortec launched the BMA400, an ultra-low power acceleration sensor for wearables and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The BMA400 draws ten times less current than existing accelerometers while delivering solid high performance. Its greatly reduced power demand significantly extends battery lifetime, especially on […]
Miniature water-resistant pressure sensors target wearable apps
As smart watches and wearable fitness trackers permeate the fabric of everyday life, owners want to go further with their devices and track performance across extra activities like swimming. Samsung’s Gear Fit 2 Pro, the next generation of sports band, supports these trends with features like built-in GPS, continuous heart rate monitoring,and larger on-board memory to do more even […]
