ASICs for pacemakers and hearing aids
The ASIC process used by ABB Hafo mixes digital, including EEPROMs, with
high-voltage drivers, bipolar transistors, and analog CMOS all on one
chip. The modular process adds only those layers needed for the particular
device in production, up to a maximum of 19 layers. For example, the
pacemaker runs at voltages down to 1.8 V, with analog input sensitivity to
nerve impulses less than 1 mV, but has 50% of its area in digital
circuitry. The pacemaker must also stimulate the cardiac muscle with
several times the input voltage. ABB Hafo Inc., San Diego, CA Ron
Courtois 619-484-2973
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