‘SubQore’ Implantable Radio Solution
Based on our extensive experience in developing ultra-low power radios, Cambridge Consultants has developed the 'SubQore' architecture. The solution represents the very latest advances in ultra-low power radio for use within the body. SubQore has been designed to be implemented as a custom BiCMOS integrated circuit, optimised for the target application.
It is suitable for devices using the Medical Implant Communications Service (MICS) frequency band in the USA, and the Ultra-low power Active Medical Implants band (ULP_AMI) in Europe. This 402-405MHz band is rapidly becoming adopted in other countries around the world.
To achieve the ultra-low power consumption we fundamentally challenged the 'status quo' for the minimum number of circuit blocks within the radio. The resultant architecture was nevertheless consistent with the high link integrity required for this class of application. The architecture incorporates a range of pre-developed low power silicon blocks that have been proven in previous designs. We also developed a variety of new power management algorithms to drive the resultant architecture in a highly efficient manner.
SubQore achieves a compelling balance between unit cost and performance. It is targeted at a single-package solution, with minimum external components. Whilst being very cost effective, the radio is nevertheless capable of performance consistent with high integrity medical applications. The architecture is scalable, offering an excellent trade-off between power and data-rate in its most basic implementation, with an upgrade path to achieve higher data rates in an enhanced form.
SubQore provides an extremely competitive base upon which customers can commission their own custom IC. By incorporating other Cambridge Consultants skills, it's also possible to add other 'system-on-chip' functionality to the design, such as sensors or actuators. Among the applications for which SubQore is appropriate are implantable pacemakers, defibrillators, orthopaedic devices, pain management, neurostimulation, and swallowable imaging and diagnostic systems.
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