Description:
OBJECTIVE: Research and develop an electronic health monitoring system with ultra-low power sensors and signal processing chain(s). DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this SBIR is to research and develop ultra-low power sensors and signal processing (analog and digital) chains for electronic health monitoring applications. Current electronic health monitoring systems spend most of their time in an ultra-low power sleep mode. We are interested in an electronic health monitoring system that can run continuously on less than 100 microamps current. A typical health monitoring system consists of a sensor, analog signal processing, an analog-to-digital converter, microcontroller and digital signal processing. We are interested in an electronic health monitoring system with less than 100 microwatts continuous power consumption. A low power sensor by itself does not meet the low power system requirement for this topic. Due to the low current requirement, this topic is for a wired health monitoring system. Offeror may propose a wireless system; however, the offeror still must meet the 100 microamp average current requirement. For example, a typical pressure sensor may output a voltage, current or frequency proportional to the applied pressure. Analog signal processing may be required to appropriately scale the sensor's output signal for an analog-to-digital converter. Digital signal processing may be required to linearize the pressure transfer function. For example, a typical industrial pressure sensor outputs a current. A gain stage is required to convert the sensor output current to a 0 to 3 volt range for a 12 bit analog-to-digital converter. A digital signal processing step is required to convert the 12 bit digital code number 0 through 4095 (0x0000 through 0x0fff) to a 0.0 to 100.0 psi (0.0 to 7.00 bar) floating point number. The entire sensor system is required to be ultra-low power. Missiles may be placed in long term storage for 10 to 20 years or longer. Health monitoring systems require, extremely low power sensors and extremely low power analog and digital signal processing to achieve more than 10 years of operation. Batteries to power health monitoring systems are a separate concern. This SBIR topic is not seeking any battery research or development. This SBIR topic is not seeking any chemical sensor development. PHASE I: Contractor shall research the feasibility of developing an ultra-low power electronic health monitoring system with less than 100 microwatts continuous power consumption. We are interested in sensors for humidity, temperature, rate of temperature change, pressure, and battery charge level (e.g. percentage of battery life remaining). Contractor shall select 4 of 5 sensors for the health monitoring system. The technical merit for the phase I proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 25% weighting for sensor and sensor performance, 25% for analog and digital signal processing chains, and 50% for low power. Phase I proposals are required to address the three criteria above. For the Phase I proposal, the contractor shall provide a system block diagram and describe the system operation: (1) the proposed sensors, (2) the analog signal processing chain(s), (3) the analog-to-digital converter(s), (4) digital signal processing chain(s), and (5) any post digital processing, and/or linearization required to convert the digitized sensor values to measurement values (for example V/m, Pascals, Kelvins, etc. in floating point or fixed point). To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed health monitor system, the contractor may develop models, simulations, and/or prototypes. The contractor shall provide midterm and final reports. The final report shall describe health monitor system (1) operation, (2) estimated system performance, (3) estimated power consumption for each individual element, and the total system power, (4) estimated operating temperature range, (5) estimated operational vibration limits, (6) estimated operational lifetime, and (7) estimated non-powered lifetime (shelf lifetime). PHASE II: Contractor shall develop the electronic health monitoring system based on the phase I research. The electronic health monitoring system (without battery) shall have a volume smaller than (1 x 1 x 0.2 inches) and weigh less than 0.36 ounce (10 grams). Contractor shall have an independent source, with government concurrence, test and evaluate the performance of the electronic health monitoring system. Contractor shall provide a copy of the test and evaluation report to the government. Contractor shall provide 2 electronic health monitoring systems to the government point of contact for test and evaluation. Contractor shall provide a preliminary datasheet for electronic health monitoring system. Contractor shall provide a final report describing the electronic health monitoring system. Contractor shall provide the government a 2 day on site training for the electronic health monitoring system. PHASE III: Military, aerospace, medical and industrial applications are always looking for lower weight, and lower power technologies. Automotive applications require rugged, low power electronic health monitoring systems for diagnostics and prognostics. Military systems (missiles, aircraft, ships, and vehicles) are interested in ultra-low power electronic health monitoring systems for system monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics. For the medical industry, battery powered systems like heart pacemakers, blood glucose monitors, etc. would benefit from ultra-low power electronic health monitoring systems.
