editor's blog
Subscribe Now

PNI’s Wearable (and IoT) Dev Kit

Wearables are hot these days, and PNI Sensor sees a good fit in that space for their SENtral chip. They’ve bundled it into what they call their SENtrode, together with appropriate algorithms.

Wearable_Sde_By_Side.jpgThey’re even working their own heart-rate monitoring algorithms – evidently a particularly difficult task when you’re in motion (which you are likely to be with a wearable). Good heart-rate monitors have proven challenging to create – unless you go with the golden reference of a chest strap, which isn’t exactly comfortable or convenient. They’re hoping to crack that nut with their own approach.

While there’s focus on wearables, they actually launched two versions: one in a bracelet-sized form factor (the wearable one), and then one optimized and housed in a fashion more appropriate to internet-of-things (IoT) gadgets. (Although, realistically, wearables are part of the IoT – or perhaps the Internet of Clothing and Accessories…)

IoT_Dev_Kit.jpgThe features differ somewhat between the two versions. The IoT one swaps humidity sensing for the heart-rate monitor. The algorithms swap barometric pressure and humidity for altitude and motion-compensated heart rate.

Of course, there’s one parameter that tends to trump all others, particularly in a wearable: power. The SENtrode solution runs at about 380 µW. Honestly, it’s a bit hard to compare, however, since numbers don’t tell the whole story. For example, Quicklogic’s numbers may come in lower, but PNI says that they don’t have a floating point unit and that their algorithms are less sophisticated.

Makes me wonder whether we need some serious work on sensor power benchmarking… EEMBC perhaps?

This is a development kit; they’re releasing the software, the schematics, the whole shebang. It’s also modular so that parts can be swapped out. It’s expected that a developer will be optimizing hardware for a specific application.

You can find more detail in their release.

 

(Images courtesy PNI Sensor.)

Leave a Reply

featured blogs
Mar 28, 2023
In this user case, Marintek uses Fidelity Fine/Marine and Hexpress for resistance curve prediction of a planning hull and its validation against the model test cases. Team Involved End User: Eloïse Croonenborghs, Research Scientist at MARINTEK, Maritime division, Trondhe...
Mar 23, 2023
Explore AI chip architecture and learn how AI's requirements and applications shape AI optimized hardware design across processors, memory chips, and more. The post Why AI Requires a New Chip Architecture appeared first on New Horizons for Chip Design....
Mar 10, 2023
A proven guide to enable project managers to successfully take over ongoing projects and get the work done!...

featured video

First CXL 2.0 IP Interoperability Demo with Compliance Tests

Sponsored by Synopsys

In this video, Sr. R&D Engineer Rehan Iqbal, will guide you through Synopsys CXL IP passing compliance tests and demonstrating our seamless interoperability with Teladyne LeCroy Z516 Exerciser. This first-of-its-kind interoperability demo is a testament to Synopsys' commitment to delivering reliable IP solutions.

Learn more about Synopsys CXL here

featured chalk talk

Matter & NXP
Interoperability in our growing Internet of things ecosystem has been a challenge for years. But the new Matter standard is looking to change all of that. It could not only make homes smarter but our design lives easier as well. In this episode of Chalk Talk, Amelia Dalton and Sujata Neidig from NXP examine how Matter will revolutionize IoT by increasing interoperability, simplifying development and providing a comprehensive approach to security and privacy. They also discuss what the roadmap for Matter looks like and how NXP’s Matter reference platforms can help you get started with your next IoT design.
Sep 20, 2022
23,979 views