RF chip aims for medical implants

The AMIS-52100 transceiver is the latest member of the low-datarate ASTRIC (application specific transmit and receive IC) product family from AMI Semiconductor.

The AMIS-52100 transceiver is the latest member of the low-datarate ASTRIC (application specific transmit and receive IC) product family from AMI Semiconductor.

The new chip appeals to sub-500MHz-band wireless applications that require clock and data recovery, and is particularly suited to medical implantable devices.

Targeting the FDA's Medical Implantable Communications Systems (MICS) standard and European standards for ultra-low-power active medical implants (ULP-AMIs), the device is optimised for operation in the 402-405MHz frequency band.

The MICS band, for example, was set aside in 1999 as an alternative to magnetic coupling.

The band outlines a specific radio frequency range for two-way communication between medical devices to retrieve important information about a patient's status with improved data transfer rates.

Communicating accurate information is extremely important - especially when it comes to a patient's health.

To address this, AMIS built the AMIS-52100 on its robust ASK (amplitude shift keying) modulation technology to include clock and data recovery circuitry.

The digital baseband circuit postprocesses a demodulated binary signal to produce an optimally sampled data bit stream and clock signal that is synchronised with the incoming data.

This removes jitter concerns and maximises demodulated data integrity.

AMIS engineered the AMIS-52100 to include its patent-pending quick start oscillator.

This oscillator has an extremely fast 15us turn-on time that allows the onboard receiver to quickly power up to check for the presence of a signal in the patented Sniff Mode.

Sniff Mode is register programmable to optimise power conservation and system performance.

"Low-datarate wireless technologies are a key initiative for AMIS this year and with the success this product can deliver to the medical market, we expect continued growth and advancement in ICs for implantable devices", stated Kirk Peterson, Wireless Product Line Manager for AMI Semiconductor.

"AMIS works hard to stay on top of the latest international requirements to ensure that our customers get access to real-world applications that are proven and safe.

We are proud to offer an IC that optimises power and provides clock and data recovery, as well as tuneable capabilities for changes to the device without disturbing the patient".

The AMIS-52100 will be priced at $1.95 in quantities of 50 thousand units, assuming a 20-lead SSOP.

Samples and evaluation kits will be available in March 2004.

The product is immediately available for ASIC integration.

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