Infineon Unveils New Sensor Portfolio Empowering Smart Health Applications

Healthcare applications represent a significant domain for Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Within this context, sensors, as a critical component of the IoT ecosystem, play a pivotal role. Serving as the entry point for IoT systems, sensors continuously collect diverse data from the surrounding environment, thereby enabling all subsequent functions and features in the IoT workflow, such as computation and execution.

Recently, Infineon, a traditional giant in the sensor field, launched several new sensor products, with healthcare being one of the most important application scenarios. This also indicates that the healthcare sector is gradually becoming a key strategic direction for the future of the sensor industry.

Millimeter-wave radar sensors and Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors were the focal points of this media event. Millimeter-wave radar technology has been widely adopted in industrial and autonomous driving applications, while ToF imaging technology is extensively used in both consumer electronics and industrial sectors.

According to Infineon’s plans, these advanced sensing technologies will be deployed in various health monitoring scenarios. Millimeter-wave radar will be utilized for patient and infant health monitoring, as well as elderly care, while Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology will excel in fall detection for the elderly in settings such as homes and nursing facilities.

Wu Boyi, Senior Marketing Manager of the Power and Sensor Systems Division at Infineon Technologies Greater China, introduced two millimeter-wave radar chips. One is the Infineon BGT60LTR11AIP, a cost-effective solution that fully supports motion detection in automatic mode. The other is the relatively high-end BGT60TR13C, an ultra-wideband chip capable of achieving extremely fine resolution through FMCW algorithms, even measuring object displacement with millimeter-level precision.

These two products also represent the pinnacle of current millimeter-wave radar sensors, achieving complete radar systems within minimal space and at extremely low power consumption. Specifically, the BGT60LTR11AIP chip measures only 6.7mm × 3.3mm in size with an average power consumption of less than 5mW; the BGT60TR13C maintains a compact footprint of 6.5mm × 5mm while delivering high resolution, with an average power consumption of merely 20–30mW.

Currently, most fall detection devices for the elderly on the market require users to manually press a button to trigger an alarm, which presents certain inconveniences in use. If an elderly person loses consciousness after a fall, these devices become virtually useless. In contrast, fall detection devices based on Infineon’s millimeter-wave radar sensing technology can perform non-contact, round-the-clock fall detection in bathrooms, provide timely alerts via communication interfaces, and enable fall risk prediction, thereby comprehensively safeguarding the home safety of the elderly.

Zhang Tiehu, Senior Marketing Manager of the Power & Sensor Systems Division at Infineon Technologies Greater China, introduced the extensive application potential of Time-of-Flight (ToF) imaging technology in the healthcare sector. He stated that Infineon has accumulated substantial expertise in ToF imaging technology and has released five generations of products since launching its first-generation Real3 ToF sensor in 2015.

In 2021, Infineon Technologies released the sixth-generation ToF imaging sensor chip, the IRS2381C. It achieves an optimal balance of size, cost-effectiveness, and power efficiency, featuring a detection range of up to 10 meters. The chip is optimized for AR applications, with enhanced imaging capabilities and reduced power consumption.

Based on Infineon’s single-chip ToF solution, integrators can develop ultra-compact and reliable camera modules with minimal design effort, enabling products to operate around the clock for the monitoring and protection of the elderly. Furthermore, ToF technology uses infrared light as its illumination source and presents data in the form of point clouds, thereby maximizing privacy protection for seniors.

Currently, after extensive collection of relevant sensor data and repeated practical verification of its technical feasibility, this product has been in trial operation at a Shenzhen elderly care nursing home since 2021 to monitor falls among the elderly.

Beyond its role in medical health sectors such as elderly care, Infineon’s broader range of sensors holds even greater potential in the wider health and wellness domain. For instance, gas sensors, traditionally considered industrial applications, can now be utilized in broad health and wellness scenarios.

At the press conference, Liu Ju, Marketing Manager of the Power & Sensor Systems Division of Infineon Technologies Greater China, introduced the application prospects of Infineon’s newly mass-produced XENSIV™ PAS CO2 sensor in the general health sector. The sensor is suitable for applications such as ventilation systems, air conditioning systems, portable indoor air quality monitoring devices, and smart speakers, enabling targeted control of air quality.

This approach helps improve human health and enhance work efficiency. Scientific research has found that when indoor carbon dioxide concentrations exceed 1,000 ppm (parts per million), it can cause drowsiness and impair concentration.

Furthermore, good air quality also helps combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Research reports indicate a positive correlation between carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and aerosol concentration, with aerosols being one of the transmission routes for viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 or influenza viruses. This means that, based on effective monitoring of indoor CO2 levels, Infineon’s XENSIV™ PAS CO2 sensor can effectively reduce the risk of viral transmission by enabling timely adjustments to ventilation and other measures.

Notably, this sensor is less than one-quarter the size of traditional CO2 NDIR sensors and is among the few in its class to meet California Title 24 standards, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated into home designs.

The application of Infineon’s gas sensors in the broader health and wellness sector also provides a reference for the future expansion of Infineon’s wider sensor portfolio into the medical and healthcare market. Li Guohao, Marketing Director for Application Markets in the Power & Sensor Systems Division at Infineon Technologies Greater China, stated that Infineon is closely monitoring the market prospects for home health monitoring products.

He stated that, according to ABI Market Research, demand for Home Healthcare products will grow rapidly over the next 8–10 years. The market size was estimated at approximately 20 million in 2022 and is projected to exceed 180 million by 2030. This also reflects the fact that users are becoming increasingly concerned about their health status. Sensors can collect vital signs data and convert it into results that are easily understandable for users.

Currently, in the field of smart health, Infineon Technologies is collaborating with a series of partners to develop solutions that transform consumer electronics into carriers for monitoring functions, thereby enabling practical applications in health management and monitoring. Meanwhile, Infineon is further exploring the emerging field of smart health monitoring and management, which holds great promise.