Silicon Labs introduces breakthrough heart rate monitoring sensor solution

     Silicon Labs introduces optical heart rate sensor solutions that reduce the cost and complexity of wrist heart rate monitoring (HRM) applications. The new Si1144 HRM solution consists of a low-power optical sensor module and an energy-efficient EFM32™ Gecko microcontroller (MCU) running Silicon Labs' advanced HRM algorithms. The small Si1144 sensor module integrates an optical sensor, a green light emitting diode (LED), an LED driver supporting up to 2 off-chip leds, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), control logic, and an I2C digital interface.

     According to Silicon Labs, 100 million HRM devices will be sold annually by 2018, most of which will be wrist wearables. Silicon Labs' Si1144 HRM solution fully addresses this large and rapidly growing market and is suitable for a wide range of wearable devices such as activity tracking fitness bands, pedometers and smart watches, as well as HRM fitness equipment for gyms, bathroom scales and elder monitoring devices.

     Heart rate monitoring is currently the most popular biometric sensor technology applicable to all fitness groups, from athletes who seriously want to improve athletic performance to people who simply seek a healthier and more active lifestyle, accurate caloric consumption data can be obtained through accurate HRM, which makes it easier for people to control their daily diet.

     Traditionally, applications for heart rate measurement have been limited by the use of a chest strap and the need to connect to an external device, such as a dedicated fitness watch or smartphone. These HRM solutions present special problems: breast straps are often inconvenient and uncomfortable to wear, and difficult to monitor when using a smartphone during a run or bike ride.

     Wrist HRM technology is a game-changer for biometric detection by providing a more convenient and comfortable way to measure heart rate and achieve measurement accuracy comparable to products designed based on chest straps. There are many HRM solutions available today with widely varying measurement results, most of which are expensive and consume high power, reducing battery life. In addition, the complex motion devices also increase the design complexity of HRM on the wrist.

     Daniel Cooley, vice president of IoT product Marketing at Silicon Labs, said, "Silicon Labs' Si1144 HRM solution overcomes the current challenges of wrist heart rate measurement, providing a solution that is accurate, easy to implement and cost less than competing products. In addition, the industry-leading power consumption and extremely small package size make the Si1144 module ideal for power-sensitive, space-constrained wearable designs."