Healthcare, Medical, Wearables

A central trend is the miniaturisation of sensors. Thanks to space-saving MEMS and biosensor technology, highly precise measurement of vital parameters such as ECG, oxygen saturation or body temperature can now be integrated into compact devices. In parallel, low-power systems-on-chip are gaining importance, combining microcontroller, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi or mobile IoT technologies on a single chip. This integration ensures long battery life with continuous data capture, a decisive factor for the practical usability of wearables.

Another important aspect is the shift of computing power to the edge of the network, that is, directly onto the wearable itself. Through edge computing and on-device machine-learning algorithms, data can be analysed in real time without first having to be transmitted to the cloud. This not only reduces latency but also minimises data-protection risks, because sensitive health data does not have to leave the device in the first place.

The security of data transmission remains a central challenge. Modern semiconductor solutions integrate hardware-based encryption and secure boot processes to protect sensitive health data along the entire transmission chain. These security mechanisms are crucial for the acceptance of wearables in the medical environment, where data protection and compliance are top priorities. A further central difficulty is that wearables are often positioned at the boundary between lifestyle product and medical device, and so, depending on their intended function, fall under different regulatory frameworks. In the EU, the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) is particularly relevant, requiring various evidence of safety, efficacy and technical documentation depending on the risk class (I to III). Many manufacturers shy away from the lengthy and costly certification path. Here, working with a reliable development partner such as EBV can bring clear advantages.

The RISC-V architecture is gaining importance in medical microcontrollers, because it offers an open, modular and licence-fee-free alternative to established architectures such as ARM or x86. Particularly in resource-constrained applications such as wearables, implantable sensors or portable diagnostic devices, the ability to adapt the processor architecture to specific requirements is a great advantage. In addition, MCUs with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) or secure-element chips are indispensable for ensuring secure data transactions.

Three technology trends particularly shape the market: first, the integration of AI models directly on MCUs to enable real-time analysis such as stress or sleep assessment without a cloud connection. Second, the development of ultra-low-power system-on-chip solutions is taking hold, enabling long battery life in smart rings and patch sensors. Third, flexible, biocompatible semiconductor materials are gaining importance, driving the use of "bio-wearables" and smart textiles.

Innovative projects are currently emerging in this area; for example, AI-supported, body-worn sensor systems for cardiac diagnostics are being developed. Non-invasive health monitoring using MCU-based wearables is also being advanced, for instance with diabetes risk analysis or multifunctional body scanners.

Driven by the boom in portable diagnostics (smartwatches, patches, CGM sensors) and connected medical devices, the need for compact, energy-efficient and secure memory chips is growing rapidly. Typically, SoCs with integrated flash/EEPROM, external LPDDR/PSRAM and non-volatile memory such as FRAM/MRAM are used in wearables and implantable systems, complemented by on-chip SRAM for edge-AI inference. Four technology trends currently shape the field: first, the monolithic integration of sensors and memory for flexible, battery-free patches with direct data capture and storage; second, neuromorphic and "emerging memory" approaches (RRAM, PCM) for learning-capable IoMT nodes on the body; third, MRAM/FeRAM as robust, fast and low-power non-volatile memory options for edge AI in medical devices; fourth, NFC-based, battery-free architectures with on-tag memory that enable point-of-care tests and home-care monitoring without their own power source.

Their spread is growing rapidly: according to Data Insights Market, the global AFE market for medical applications is estimated at around 7 billion US dollars for 2033, driven by miniaturisation, point-of-care diagnostics and remote patient monitoring. Multi-parametric systems such as smartwatches, patches and smart rings, which continuously capture vital data and evaluate it with AI, are especially in use. Three technology trends currently dominate: first, the integration of several measurement channels (e.g. ECG, SpO₂, blood pressure) into a single, ultra-low-power chip, which reduces size and energy consumption. Second, the combination of analog signal processing with AI-supported data analysis directly at the edge, to enable real-time forecasts and personalised recommendations. Third, the trend towards non-invasive, continuous measurement methods, such as optical blood-pressure determination via pulse transit time or bioimpedance spectroscopy, which are becoming more precise and more robust thanks to new AFE architectures. These developments are driving the transformation of wearables from pure trackers into preventive health companions.

Whereas discrete sensors for individual vital parameters were mainly used in the past, current systems increasingly rely on integrated platforms that combine pressure, acceleration, optical and biochemical measurands, for instance in smart patches, implantable glucose sensors or contact-lens-based intraocular-pressure monitors. New technologies such as BioMEMS made from biocompatible materials, lab-on-chip systems with microfluidics and highly sensitive infrared and optical MEMS arrays extend the range of applications from continuous diagnostics to imaging in scattering tissue. Among the most important trends are further miniaturisation with a simultaneous increase in sensitivity, the integration of AI for signal processing directly at the sensor, the development of flexible and stretchable sensors for skin-worn wearables, and the standardisation of interfaces for the "Internet of Bodies".

Their spread is increasing strongly, driven by miniaturisation, lower system costs and integration into IoT platforms for continuous monitoring. The main components in use are CMOS-based image sensors with integrated read-out and signal-processing functions, SPAD arrays (single-photon avalanche diodes) for time-correlated single-photon detection, and hybrid OPD-on-CMOS structures (OPD = organic photodiodes) for spectral analysis in the wearable. New technologies such as quantum-dot-coated CMOS sensors extend the detectable spectrum into the short-wave infrared (SWIR) and allow direct X-ray imaging at a reduced dose in portable diagnostic devices. Important trends are the merging of optics and electronics at chip level, the combination with microfluidics into lab-on-chip systems, AI-supported image reconstruction, and the development of CMOS-based quantum-sensor platforms for highly sensitive magnetic-field and biomolecule monitoring at room temperature.

Their spread is increasing rapidly, driven by advances in miniaturised sensors, lower energy consumption and more capable radio technologies. Bluetooth in particular (especially Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE) and Wi-Fi currently dominate connectivity: BLE scores with extremely low energy demand and is therefore ideal for wearables such as continuous glucose monitors or smart rings, while Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 delivers high data rates for ECG patches or imaging procedures and secures the connection to electronic patient records. In parallel, new technologies are establishing themselves for specific requirements: ultra-wideband (UWB) and BLE 6.0 with Channel Sounding enable precise indoor positioning at sub-metre level, for instance to track devices in clinics or for context-enhanced emergency support. NFC simplifies the pairing, authentication and configuration of wearables, while 5G RedCap offers campus-wide, reliable connections for mobile applications. In hospitals, where countless devices are moved every day, UWB, BLE and NFC allow accurate inventory tracking, so that staff can quickly access particular items in an emergency and these are protected against loss or theft. Important trends also include multi-protocol chips that combine Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC and Thread, the integration of edge AI for local data pre-processing, and the use of the 6 GHz spectrum for relieved clinical networks.

With the rapid spread of wearables in healthcare, from smartwatches through continuous glucose monitors to cardiac patches, demand for specialised PMIC solutions is also rising sharply; according to the market researchers at Market Intelo, the market for wearable PMICs is set to grow from 2.1 billion US dollars (2025) to 4.7 billion US dollars (2034), driven above all by the healthcare sector with around 18 per cent annual growth. Among the most important technology trends are further miniaturisation into sub-3-mm packages, the integration of several voltage regulators on a single chip (SIMO architectures) and ultra-fast, safe charging with minimal heat input. At the same time, ultra-low quiescent currents, flexible electronics for smart textiles and support for energy-harvesting methods are gaining importance, in order to enable battery lives of days to months. For developers, this means that PMICs are increasingly becoming a differentiator that significantly influences not only the performance but also the regulatory conformity and patient acceptance of medical wearables.

With the spread of telemedicine, personalised diagnostics and implantable sensors, the adoption of BMS solutions is rising rapidly, from fitness trackers to insulin pumps and cardiac monitors. Three semiconductor trends currently dominate the market: first, the miniaturisation of power-management ICs, which allows slimmer, more comfortable wearables. Second, intelligent, adaptive algorithms that adjust energy consumption dynamically to usage patterns and so noticeably extend run time. Third, the integration of energy-harvesting and predictive-maintenance functions, which spare the batteries and predict failures. These developments not only improve device performance but also meet regulatory requirements for safety and service life, a key factor for the approval of medical products.

The spread of wireless charging solutions in this segment is growing rapidly: according to Data Insights Market, the global market for wearable wireless charging will grow to around 8.7 billion US dollars by 2033, driven by rising demand for continuous real-time monitoring and battery-free implants. Current technology trends include inductive coupling for short distances, magnetic resonance for greater flexibility, and newer approaches such as RF-based energy transfer and acoustic or optical methods for implantable devices. Semiconductor solutions are becoming ever more efficient and miniaturised, enabling higher power densities with less heat generation and supporting adaptive load control for safe energy transfer on the human body. Advances in integrated power-management ICs are particularly relevant, meeting safety standards such as IEC 60601 and enabling simultaneous data and energy streaming over a single interface. These developments pave the way for self-powered smart textiles, implantable glucose sensors and AR glasses in clinical use, all without wired charging interruptions.