Cutting-edge Bluetooth wireless technology for healthcare and lifestyle applications
BLE has several rigid requirements for European SMEs and industries in the high-growth biomedical, healthcare, sports and fitness sectors. What is more, these sectors demand wireless technology that is extremely portable and power efficient, a vital combination that is not necessarily met by semiconductor manufacturers. With this in mind, the EU-funded BLIM4SME(opens in new window) (Bluetooth low-energy integrated module for SMEs) project developed wireless modules aimed at healthcare and lifestyle applications that use BLE. Overall, the aim was to provide relevant SMEs and industries with a highly integrated and ultra-low power BLE solution that exceeds the current state of the art. Project partners developed RF IP blocks that were embedded into a single antenna-and-radio miniaturised module. This was done by leveraging an innovative integrated passive device (IPD) technology platform. Specifically, the BLIM4SME team designed an ultra-low-power RF IC intended to flexibly operate with off-the shelf microcontrollers, and a miniature module that implements the RF IC, a companion microcontroller, an antenna and associated IPD for impedance matching and filtering. Researchers designed a module that uses off-the-shelf radio components and serves as a benchmark for the miniature module. They also developed a retro-compatible generic module integrating various sensors with multi-sensing capability for in-situ machinery inspection and predictive maintenance. BLIM4SME introduced innovative integrated modules for SMEs and industries that require beyond state-of-the-art, highly integrated and ultra-low-power BLE radios for tomorrow's biomedical, healthcare, sports and fitness products. From sensors that check activity levels to medical and wellness devices that monitor health care, the BLE solution will create opportunities to develop devices and services that enhance consumers' quality of life.
