Mixed-Signal MCU Targets Medical Apps

A new mixed-signal microcontroller (MCU) promises higheraccuracy and lower power draw for applications ranging from blood glucosemeters to fitness monitors to home thermostats.

Introduced at the Embedded Systems Conferencehere this week, the Q32M210 mixed signal MCU is targeted at portable sensingapplications that call for high precision. It incorporates an ARM Cortex M3processor, dual 16-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and three 10-bitdigital-to-analog converters (DACs). ONSemiconductor, maker of the new MCU, says the device's real advantage isits ability to offer high precision while operating at just 400 muA/MHz.

"It's about efficiency," notes Todd Schneider, vicepresident of conversion and control technologies for ON. "It's about providingperformance over the entire battery life, right down to the very end, and doingit at the lowest possible power consumption."

ON engineers say they designed the new MCU in response togreater demand for standard 32-bit architectures and for lower power inembedded products. Makers of medical sensing systems are also pushing forhigher accuracy, particularly in products such as blood glucose measurementdevices.

"We're seeing a real demand for improved precision,"Schneider says.

The new device is contained in a 140-pin, 10 x 10 mm package.The package incorporates memory, power management, USB interface, and precisionADCs that can be hooked up to temperature and humidity sensors.

The device's low power draw also makes it a candidate forapplications that employ small lithium cells that are typically thrown awaywithout being recharged.

"It's good for the consumer and it's good for the endapplication because you don't have to change your battery as often," Schneidersays. "It's also good for the environment because you're not going to bethrowing away as many batteries."