Electronics Weekly
The sensor specialist and analogue chip supplier says it has the capability to remotely monitor this vital sign in small consumer products, such as earbuds, smart watches and wristbands. This is in addition to medical devices such as patches and oximeters.
Specifically, the AS7038RB is designed to enable blood pressure measurements with improved sensitivity and HRM measurement quality and enables continous SpO2 measurements for all skin types.
Also, the Austrian company highlights, it could be be used to aid COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) early-symptom diagnostics, via low SpO2 readings.
Features of the sensor, says the company, include an improved optical path and integrated red+NIR filter, a 250% larger embedded photodiode, an embedded low noise analog front end for ECG signal acquisition and synchronized PPG and ECG acquisition.
“The AS7038RB’s combination of small size, integrated functionality, and a high-performance signal chain makes it ideal for OEMs that are developing innovative applications for health monitoring in space-constrained consumer or medical products. The sensor, housed in a package with a footprint of 3.70mm x 3.10mm and which is just 0.65mm thin, integrates a highly sensitive photo-diode, four LED drivers, an analog front end, and a sequencer. It is supplied with application soft-ware for SpO2 and heart rate measurement. The analog front end also supports concurrent ECG measurement complying with the requirements of the IEC 6060-2-47 medical standard.”
For its spec, its supply voltage is 2.7 – 5.5, it has an operating temperature range of -30 to 70°C and, in terms of I²C Bus operation, it supports I²C slave, Standard (100kHz) and Fast Mode (400kHz).
You can read more information online.
The AS7038RB is available for sampling now and goes into mass production in October 2020.
“The introduction of the AS7038RB marks another AMS breakthrough in technology for remote diagnostics,” said Wim Renirie, VP and General Manager for the Accessory and Wearable Solutions Business Line at the compnay.
“AMS is working actively with a range of partners to develop innovative solutions for the testing and diagnosis of Covid-19. The AS7038RB offers an additional diagnostic tool, enabling the creation of wearable and disposable equipment for monitoring blood oxygen saturation accurately and safely, without requiring the presence of a medical practitioner.”
AS7038GB
The company also announced the AS7038GB, a version of the sensor with peak sensitivity at the 525nm (green) wavelength for use in heart rate (HRM) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurement.
A modular version, the AS7030B HRM/HRV sensor, integrates two 535nm LEDs in a single package measuring 3.55mm x 6.2mm x 1mm.
