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Time-based ECG readout chip scales down on analogue

Time-based ECG readout chip scales down on analogue

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By Julien Happich



While today’s digital ICs and memory ICs benefit from technology scaling in terms of power and area, this has yet to be achieved for analogue readout electronics.

Current state-of the-art analogue circuit techniques don’t result in a significantly reduced area in scaled technologies, and due to the accompanied reduced supply voltage (VDD) with scaled technologies, the analogue front-end readout chip faces significant challenges in combining a large dynamic range with small size and low power consumption. 
 

Implemented in TSMC’s 40nm CMOS, the new ECG readout chip is only 0.015mm2. It can handle up to 40mVpp AC sigma and up to 300mV DC-electrode offset while consuming only 3.3µW from a 0.6V supply.

By acquiring an ECG signal from the noise-stress database, the system does not saturate and is able to maintain a consistent beat detection capability even in presence of vigorous motion (~40mVpp). This was achieved by implementing a time-domain-based readout architecture, which leverages the benefits of technology scaling and avoids the need for area intensive analogue circuitry, such as high-gain amplifiers and passives.

The readout chip achieves performance that is comparable with current state-of-the-art implementations at a fraction of the area.

“Our breakthrough readout ECG chip paves the way to low-cost, low-power multi-sensor systems for ambulatory medical applications,” stated Nick Van Helleputte, team leader biomedical circuits at imec. “Furthermore, it opens additional innovation paths for beyond 40nm analog front-end design, leveraging the power and area benefits of scaled technology in digital architectures.”

 
Visit imec at www.imec.be

Visit the Holst Centre at www.holstcentre.com

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