STMicroelectronics Builds Wearable Technology Portfolio to Cement Market Leadership

STMicroelectronics has announced a raft of analog and mixed-signal devices targeting the rapidly growing market for wearable technology. These devices include current sensors, audio amplifiers, op amps, analog switches and battery gas gauges.

Wearable applications are making a growing impact in markets that range from new healthcare technologies, including remote heart-rate monitoring, to consumer applications such as smart fashion accessories. These applications represent a range of current and future markets that market analysts Strategy Analytics projects to grow by more than 70% through 2017.

“In conjunction with our industry-leading range of motion and environmental sensors1 and our successes in a broad range of already-available wearable applications, our new2 ultra-low power microcontrollers, and our award-winning BlueNRG Bluetooth Smart wireless connectivity solution, the analog and mixed-signal devices complete a comprehensive platform that makes ST the clear one-stop supplier of choice for customers developing innovative wearable applications,” said Andrea Onetti, general manager Analog and Audio Systems Division, STMicroelectronics.

Examples of devices suitable for wearable applications include ST’s single, dual and quad op amps, such as the OA4NP33 quad low-power op amp, that offer an ultra-low-power typical consumption of just 580nA per channel (at 1.8V power supply), making them ideally suited for functions such as sensor signal-conditioning in battery-operated wearable devices. Another product, the GG25L gas gauge, uses a patented OptimGauge algorithm to monitor battery voltage to an accuracy of 0.25%.

Examples from ST’s portfolio of motion sensors include the LIS2DH12 ultra-low-power digital 3-axis accelerometer and the LSM303C ultra-compact high-performance e-compass module. ST’s M24SR dynamic tags add NFC connectivity to wearable applications for convenient wireless pairing, automatic connection to websites or warranty-card activation.

All of the devices are available in volume from March 2014.