Maxim Integrated Products’ Health Sensor Platform 2.0 (HSP 2.0), also known as MAXREFDES101#, enables designers to quickly create unique, highly accurate wearable devices that continuously monitor various health parameters. The next-generation rapid prototyping, evaluation and development platform, reportedly brings the ability to monitor electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate and body temperature to a wrist-worn wearable, saving up to six months in development time.
As far as wearables go, a wrist-based device is convenient for users to wear daily. However, it has been challenging to derive precise ECG monitoring from the wrist, i.e., most alternatives require a wearable chest strap. In addition, getting accurate body temperature typically requires using a thermometer at another location.
Enclosed in a watch casing, the wrist-based form factor enables HSP 2.0 to provide basic functionality out of the box, with body-monitoring measurements starting immediately. Data can be stored on the platform for patient evaluation or streamed to a PC for analysis later. Unlike other wearables, the data measurements collected by the HSP 2.0 can be owned by the wearer, alleviating data privacy concerns and allowing users to conduct their own data analysis. Also, because HSP 2.0 is an open platform, designers can evaluate their own algorithms on the board. In addition, the modular format is future proof to quickly accommodate new sensors over time.
HSP 2.0 includes:
- MAX32630 DARWIN low-power microcontroller for wearables and internet of things (IoT) applications
- MAX32664 ultra-low-power biometric sensor hub with embedded heart-rate algorithm
- MAX20303 highly integrated and programmable power management solution designed for ultra-low-power wearable applications
- MAX30205 human body temperature sensor with ±0.1-degree Celsius accuracy
- MAX30001 ultra-low-power, single-channel integrated biopotential and bio-impedance analog front-end (AFE) solution for wearable applications
- MAX86141 ultra-low-power optical pulse oximeter and heart-rate sensor for wearables
Health Sensor Platform 2.0, MAXREFDES101#, is available with hardware and firmware files for $399. Arm Mbed also offers the hardware, firmware and micro board. For greater illumination, and a plethora of datasheets and a video are available.