The AS7026 optical sensor from ams performs blood pressure measurement to medical-grade1 accuracy. The sensor provides continuous heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, and electrocardiography (ECG) measurements when embedded in a consumer device such as a fitness-monitoring wristband or smart watch. Blood pressure measurement accuracy of the algorithm that the AS7026 runs is rated as medical-grade1 (grade B) when tested according to the IEEE 1708-2014 industry standard.
Consuming little power and packaged as a complete 6.2 mm x 2.8 mm x 1 mm optical module, the AS7026 enables smart health monitoring to be performed 24/7 by battery-powered devices. The sensor features a high-performance optical stack boasting high sensitivity, low noise and high rejection of ambient light. This has the effect of dramatically reducing power consumption, an important attribute because of the small size of the battery in wearable and mobile devices. In addition, the AS7026’s new optical stack achieves reliable signal quality with every skin color as classified in von Luschan’s chromatic scale.
The performance of the AS7026 can be demonstrated in the VivaVita mobile reference design developed by ams. This is a production-ready, 5 cm x 5 cm mobile accessory that shows the full range of the sensor’s capabilities, including:
- heart rate measurement
- photoplethysmographs
- ECG
- blood pressure measurement
- vagal tone measurement
The VivaVita was used as the reference platform for FDA certification of the blood pressure algorithm for medical use. FDA certification for the algorithm used in the AS7026 is expected to be granted in August 2019. Engineering samples of the AS7026 and its evaluation kit are available now on request. Mass production starts in May. Pricing for the AS7026 sensor is $3.61 each/10,000. For more details and specs, request a datasheet.