ST1VAFE3BX Chip: Advanced Biosensor with High Precision Biopotential Detection and AI Core for Healthcare Innovation

STMicroelectronics has developed a new biosensing chip for the next generations of healthcare industry. This ST1VAFE3BX chip combines a high-accuracy biopotential input with inertial sensing and an AI core with activity detection for faster performance along with low power consumption, thus delivering motion and body-signal sensing in an ultra-compact form within our budget. These sensors are mostly used in wearables like sports bands, connected rings, smart watches, and smart glasses, it is a great way to support cognitive function and neurological health.

The ST1VAFE3BX enables the integration of motion data from the acceleration sensor and the analog signal from the vAFE into a small, single package, enabling accurate and contextual data analysis with the help of AI algorithms for the sensor. The ST1VAFE3BX is building on MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) devices by integrating an accelerometer for inertial sensing. The accelerometer provides information about the wearer’s movement, which is synchronized with the biopotential sensing to help the application infer any link between measured signals and physical activity.

Additionally, the ST1VAFE3BX incorporates ST's finite state machine (FSM) and machine-learning core (MLC), freeing up the CPU to speed up system reactions and reduce power usage. In order to help designers get the most out of the ST1VAFE3BX, ST also offers software tools like MEMS Studio in the ST Edge AI Suite, which includes tools for setting up decision trees in the MLC.

The ST1VAFE3BX’s bio-detection signal channel comprises the vAFE with programmable gain and 12-bit ADC resolution along with a maximum output data rate of 3200 Hz, which is suitable for a wide variety of biopotential measurements to quantify heart, brain, and muscular activity. It’s supply voltage falls between 1.62V and 3.6V, and during power-saving mode, the device's typical operating current of 50µA could be reduced to 2.2µA. In addition, the ST1VAFE3BX implements advanced pedometer, step detector, and step counting functions, enabling manufacturers of wellness and healthcare devices to include functionality such as electrocardiography (ECG), electroencephalography (EEG), seismocardiography (SCG), and electroneurography (ENG).

Features of ST1VAFE3BX Sensors

• Dual channels for biopotential signal detection and motion tracking

• Supply voltage range from 1.62 V to 3.6 V

• Ultralow supply current at 50 µA (typ.), Power-down: 2.2 µA

• Biopotential signal detection channel with analog hub

• Embedded FIFO: up to 128 samples of accelerometer and analog hub / vAFE data or 256 samples of accelerometer data at low resolution

• High-speed I²C/SPI/MIPI I3C® digital output interface

• Advanced pedometer, step detector and step counter

• Small package: 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.74 (max) mm, LGA 12-lead

• 10000 g high shock survivability

• ECOPACK and RoHS compliant

Applications of ST1VAFE3BX Sensors

• Biopotential signal detection (ENG, ECG, EEG)

• Wearable and portable devices

• Activity tracking and well-being