STMicroelectronics, Valencell launch biometric sensor platform for wearables, IoT

Valencell and semiconductor firm STMicroelectronics have launched a highly accurate and scalable development kit for biometric wearables.

The kit includes ST’s compact SensorTileturnkey multi-sensor module integrated with Valencell’s Benchmark biometric sensor system, which deliver a set of sensors to support the most advanced wearable use cases.

“Valencell’s Benchmark solution leverages the high accuracy of ST’s MEMS sensor technology along with SensorTile’s miniature form factor, flexibility, and STM32 open development environment-based ecosystem,” said Tony Keirouz, vice president of marketing and applications for STMicroelectronics’ microcontrollers, security and Internet of Things division. “Combined, SensorTile and Benchmark enable wearable makers to quickly and easily develop the perfect product for any application that integrates highly accurate biometrics.”

The SensorTile is a tiny IoT (Internet of Things) module (13.5mm x 13.5mm) that features al STM32L4 microcontroller, a Bluetooth Low Energy chipset, a wide range of high-accuracy motion and environmental MEMS sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure, temperature sensor), and a digital MEMS microphone.

Integrating ST’s SensorTile development kit with Valencell’s Benchmark sensor technology simplifies the prototyping, evaluation, and development phases of wearable and IoT solutions by delivering a complete Valencell PerformTek technology package, ready for immediate integration and delivery into wearable devices.

Valencell expands on its previous collaboration with ST in which it integrated the company’s STM32 MCUs and sensors into its Benchmark sensor system.

“Working with ST has allowed us to bring together the best of all sensors required to support the most advanced wearable use cases through our groundbreaking Benchmark sensor system,” said Dr. Steven LeBoeuf, president and co-founder of Valencell. “What attracted us to the SensorTile was the flexibility of the platform and the ultra-low power consumption, which will enable our customers to create highly-accurate and powerful wearables and hearables in any form factor.”

At just over 180mm squared, SensorTile is the smallest turnkey sensor board of its type. It feautres a MEMS accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure sensor, and a MEMS microphone.

The on-board low-power STM32L4 microcontroller allows it to be used as a sensing and connectivity hub for developing firmware and shipping in products such as wearables, gaming accessories, and smart-home or IoT devices.

The sensor board’s complete Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver includes a miniature single-chip balun on-board, as well as a broad set of system interfaces.

It can be easily plugged into a host board, and when powered it immediately starts streaming inertial, audio, and environmental data to ST’s BlueMS smartphone app that can be downloaded for free from popular app stores.

Valencell’s PerformTek sensor systems enables wearable and hearable devices to continuously and accurately measure blood flow signals, even during extreme physical activity or when the optical signals are weak.

These signals can be translated into biometric data, including continuous heart rate, VO2 and VO2 max, resting heart rate, heart rate response, heart rate recovery, continuous energy expenditure (calorie burn), cardiac efficiency and heart rate variability assessments.

The companies will showcase the new integrated development kit at CES, held January 5 to 8 in Las Vegas, in the Valencell booth.

Previously reported, Valencell achieved a third consecutive year of triple digit growth for its biometric wearable technology in 2016 with a 360 percent increase in companies who have acquired Valencell technology over the last year.

Article Topics

biometric sensors  |  biometrics  |  IoT  |  Steven LeBoeuf  |  STMicroelectronics  |  Valencell  |  wearables