Zarlink Semiconductor has introduced a transceiver chip designed for wireless communication systems that link implanted medical devices and base stations. The ZL70100 transceiver chip meets the MICS standard defined by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Zarlink’s ultra low-power RF technology allows high-speed 500 kb/s data transmission over a typical two metre range.

Advances in ultra low-power radio expertise and global adoption of the MICS 402-405 MHz frequency band for implanted communications opens the door for advanced telemedicine applications that extend patient health monitoring beyond the traditional clinical setting.

Since most implanted medical devices do not require constant communication, and instead transmit data on a scheduled or as-required basis, the average “sleep” current is a key design factor. The ZL70100 radio transceiver contains an innovative ultra low-power wake-up system with an average current demand of just 200nA. The ZL70100 supports transmission rates of 800 kb/s for raw data and 500 kb/s for usable data, while consuming less than 5 mA (milliamps) of supply current while active.

The highly integrated ZL70100 chip requires just two external components excluding antenna matching, allowing manufacturers to use circuit substrate space savings to increase battery size and support advanced functionality while also lowering BoM costs.

The industrial-grade ZL70100 transceiver chip for base stations is the first device in a product platform designed specifically to meet the performance, power and size requirements of implanted communication systems. Qualification of the same transceiver chip for implantable applications is currently underway, and this device will be available later this year. The ZL70100 transceiver chip is available now in a 48-pin QFN (quad flat no-lead) package and as bare die. The device is supported by an evaluation board and reference design.