Embedded Systems Design Europe - April 2008 - (Page 10)

news Chip aids wireless health monitoring Researchers at Cambridge Consultants have devised a single chip based platform that allows medical devices to transmit data wirelessly that is expected to sell at about $10. The “Vena” platform is targeted at people with chronic conditions who will be able to monitor their own health accurately, systematically and independently. Cambridge Consultants says the single chip solution is a signiﬁcant breakthrough in the medical monitoring sector. It suggests the software based platform can be added to a medical device using hardware with a potential cost of less than $10 at the “appropriate volumes” and that it could be available in medical devices by the end of 2008. The platform uses low power wireless network technology to transmit readings to a central monitor located in the home, or to an online health record such as Google Health or Microsoft Health Vault. The platform embeds both the emerging IEEE 11073 standard, which ensures compatibility of data exchanged between different types of devices, and the emerging Bluetooth Medical Device Proﬁle, optimized for the secure transport of medical data, on to the chip. The concept has been tested successfully with a pulse oximeter and weighing scales, and the platform will be expanded to include other types of devices including blood pressure monitors. The design is also capable of delivering a complete display, which means mobile phone for health and ﬁtness applications on the move. “This ﬁrst successful demonstration of the platform, combined with its affordability, and compatibility, opens up a whole vista of possibilities in the way health is monitored and treated. This platform takes us one step closer to all the possibilities of next-generation healthcare,” said Paul Williamson, head of wireless medical at Cambridge Consultants. Williamson adds the technology can be built into devices at any stage of the design or production process. The IEEE 11073 Personal Health Data is a framework of standards being developed that addresses transport-independent application and information proﬁles between personal telehealth devices and monitors / managers – for example a health appliance, set top box, cell phone or personal computer – and device proﬁles such as pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, weighing scale, and thermometer. Separately, Cambridge Consultants announced it has appointed Craig Carlson to lead the group’s Cambridge, Massachusetts – based acquisitions initiative as part of the company’s expansion plans. Carlson will focus on expanding the company’s wireless activities in the U.S as an addition of and convergence with the already well established medical devices activity. that device manufacturers now simply need to add their sensor of choice and the device is wireless-ready. The Vena platform can be used with multiple devices providing a connection to online records through a monitoring station, home PC or set top box. In addition to Bluetooth, the platform incorporates support for other connections, including a full TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) implementation that allows Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections. Cable connections via a UART or USB can also be added. The platform can even be used to transmit data via Kontron reports strong ﬁnancial growth Embedded computer manufacturer Kontron AG (Eching, Germany), continued its sales and proﬁt growth in FY 2007. The company also saw order entry climb well in the double-digit percentage range. Revenues climbed 10 percent to €447 million (about $702 million) while the operative proﬁt (EBIT) soared 41 percent to €46.3 million. The company also reports a strong hike in 10 design wins which climbed to a volume of €273 million, a plus of 25 percent. Design orders came from customers in the infotainment industry as well as the energy industry, telecommunications and automation industry. The company achieved 50 percent of its sales in Europe while North America and Asia represented 25 percent each. However, growth was strongest in the emerging with 24 per- cent. The strongest industry segment in terms of growth was infotainment which added 24 percent. Healthcare and energy industry drove growth by 13 percent each. For the year ahead, Kontron CEO Ulrich Gehrmann forecasts doubledigit sales growth with proﬁt climbing disproportionately strong — provided the dollar/euro exchange rate remains as it is. APRIL 2008 | embedded systems design europe | www.embedded.com/europe 010_ESDE.indd 10 10/04/08 14:02:31 http://www.embedded.com/europe

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Embedded Systems Design Europe - April 2008

Embedded Systems Design Europe - April 2008 Contents Chip Industry Confronts 'Software' Gap Wind River's VxWorks OS Part of the nEUROn UCAV Demonstrator iSuppli Cuts Electronic Equipment Forecast Study Says GigE Vision Not Mature Chip Aids Wireless Health Monitoring Kontron Reports Strong Financial Growth Xilinx Completes Virtex-5 Line-Up French Project Builds Open Platform Home Automation Group Uses Enocean Radio Layer MIPs Adds Multi-Core Option to Portfolio Cover Feature: Next Gen Programmable Chips: Why Can't Hardware Be More Like Software? Improving Productivity & Quality With Domain-Specific Modeling Efficient CRC Calculation With Minimal Memory Footprint Do-It-Yourself Linux Embedded Development Tools Hardware/Software Verification Enters the Atomic Age New Products Advertising Contacts

Embedded Systems Design Europe - April 2008

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