Product category:
Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs
News Release from: Analog Devices | Subject: Blackfin processor
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 15 December 2005
Blackfin at heart of external
defibrillator
CMOS Drake, a medical equipment manufacturer, has designed its automatic external defibrillator (AED) with Analog Devices' Blackfin processor at the core of this life-saving product.
CMOS Drake, a medical equipment manufacturer, has designed its automatic external defibrillator (AED) with Analog Devices' Blackfin processor at the core of this life-saving product The AED is a medical device that monitors, assesses and automatically treats patients with life threatening heart rhythms
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 26 Mar 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Using ECG-analysis algorithms to identify heart rhythms and abnormalities, the system advises operators whether defibrillation is necessary.
After the decision to defibrillate is made, the unit charges a storage capacitor and creates a biphasic output current.
Classical microprocessors, programmable systems-on-a-chip, and embedded single-board computers once powered the AED.
Further reading
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The Blackfin processor manages the Windows Media audio/video decode processing in the new Microsoft Windows Media centre Extender set-top products.
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Sonarics Labs has harnessed the low cost and advanced capabilities of ADI's Blackfin processor for its new ClearSignal digital radio receiver solution.
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Green Hills Software and Analog Devices have begun a multiyear roadmap of product integrations that includes support for the Velosity microkernel and the Multi IDE for the Blackfin processor family.
However, because of the high performance needed for the ECG-analysis, combined with the need for lower cost and faster time to market, CMOS Drake saw an opportunity to improve the unit with the Blackfin processor.
"We had three goals in designing our AED solutions - keep costs low, keep them low-power, and achieving high performance", said Eduardo Azevedo, Biomedical Engineer, CMOS Drake.
"Using Blackfin as our core processor, we were able to combine DSP functionality with a multiprocessor - rather than combining disparate processors - enabling seamless control of 32MB SDRAM, 2MB flash-to-code storage, compact flash-to-data exchange, and an LCD display".
"In addition, the combination of Blackfin's breakthrough functionality and unique architecture with ready-to-use development tools like EzK, it helped cut our design time, while supplying a more cost-effective and powerful system".
"Medical devices are constantly evolving to better aid the health and lifestyle of all people, but, in order for these devices to properly function, complex algorithms must be computed and the minutest details constantly addressed", said John Croteau, General Manager, Convergent Platforms and Services Group, Analog Devices.
"Using Blackfin ADI technology throughout the signal chain, CMOS Drake not only achieves the best performance, but also reduced board space and bill of materials (BOM) to deliver a low-power, life-saving unit".
To best complement the Blackfin Processor, CMOS Drake selected industry-leading analogue technology developed by ADI.
Analogue parts included in the system are analogue-to-digital convertors, an operational amplifier, couplers, multiplexers, and analogue switches.
Analog Devices' Blackfin Processors embody a new breed of 16/32bit embedded processor with the industry's highest performance and power efficiency for applications where a convergence of capabilities - mult-format audio, video, voice and image processing; multi-mode baseband and packet processing; and real-time security and control processing - are critical.
It is this powerful combination of software flexibility and scalability that has gained Blackfin widespread adoption in convergent applications such as portable and networked media players; automotive telematics, medical devices, 'infotainment' and driver assistance; satellite and terrestrial radio; and networked security systems.
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