Low-power wireless platform passes the test

The highly integrated Sensium chip has met all the targeted accuracy and performance parameters in initial functional testing.

Toumaz Technology has achieved a major commercial milestone with the delivery and successful testing of its integrated Sensium platform, a new ultra-low-power wireless infrastructure system for health and lifestyle monitoring applications.

The highly integrated Sensium chip, which taped-out on Infineon's advanced 130nm RF CMOS process in November 2006 less than 18 months after initial specification, has met all the targeted accuracy and performance parameters in initial functional testing.

Based on Toumaz's patented AMx advanced mixed signal technology, the groundbreaking Sensium platform provides a whole solution to cover the "last metre" and connect the mobile individual via any existing network to a healthcare provider - from the hardware (including body-worn and basestation Sensiums) and wireless link protocols to the operating system.

By delivering a complete system of intelligent body-worn wireless sensors and associated networking at significantly lower power than any other solution, Toumaz is enabling a new generation of low-cost, disposable, personalised healthcare and lifestyle solutions.

In October 2006, Toumaz Technology announced the first availability of a wearable, multifunction Sensium system in modular form.

Now, with the delivery of the integrated platform - incorporating an improved ultra-low-power wireless transceiver (including both RF and baseband functionality), reconfigurable sensor interface and digital block with a low power 8051 processor and memory on a single 4 x 4mm chip, Toumaz has delivered a key milestone on the road to volume production of Sensium-enabled health and lifestyle monitoring devices.

The new integrated systems will be made available to Toumaz's healthcare and pharmaceutical customers for trials from the beginning of March.

The Sensium ultra-low-power wireless platform allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor vital signs and other bio-markers from mobile individuals in real-time, via standard PDAs, cellphones and USB-enabled computers.

Powered by low-cost low profile batteries, one or more Sensium-enabled "digital plasters" can continuously monitor multiple key physiological parameters.

Today, ECG heart rate, body temperature, respiration and activity level are all easily measured, while emerging sensors will enable bio-chemical markers such as blood glucose and blood oxygen to be continuously measured in the near future.

The body-worn Sensium ("digital plaster") collects, processes and extracts the key features of the data and intelligently reports to a basestation Sensium plugged into a PDA, smart phone, or fixed room unit via an ultra low-power, short-range radio telemetry link, using Toumaz's power optimised Nano-power Sensor Protocol operating system.

From there, the data can be further filtered and processed by application software and integrated into existing medical information systems, such as those employing the worldwide HL7 standard, to provide a complete end-to-end system and the foundation for a total patient care package.

The integrated Sensium announced today is the first in a family of ultra-low-power sensor interface systems currently being developed by Toumaz for healthcare markets.

The targeted Sensium product roadmap will deliver devices with even lower power and greater algorithmic efficiency, leading to further reductions in power consumption for the analysis of vital signs, and enabling longer product life spans at even lower cost.

"Toumaz has succeeded in pulling together the key core competences of ultra-low power wireless and ultra-low-power signal processing first developed at Imperial College and integrating these onto its completely unique system for the acquisition of data from a mobile individual", commented Toumaz Technology cofounder and Chairman, Professor Chris Toumazou.

"The landmark we are celebrating today represents the realisation of a whole solution to ultra-low power wireless body monitoring, an achievement of which everyone involved is extremely proud".

"By delivering the key requirements of unobtrusiveness, simplicity and low cost, the Sensium provides the complete link to the personal area network, on which customers can build their own applications and services".

"The delivery of the integrated Sensium system is a major milestone as we move into the next commercial phase of supply and support", added Keith Errey, Toumaz Technology cofounder and COO.

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