An on-time power-aware scheduling scheme for medical sensor SoC-based WBAN systems

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Sensor Systems
• Implantable Devices

Background:

• Medical sensor systems, particularly implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), require ultra-low power consumption and reliable data transmission for long-term operation.
• Extended battery life (over 5 years) is critical for implantable devices, necessitating significant reduction in sleep-mode power consumption.
• Existing wireless communication schemes for ICDs face challenges in achieving low duty-cycles, high bit rates, and energy efficiency simultaneously.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an on-time, energy-efficient scheduling scheme designed to minimize sleep-mode current in implantable medical devices.
• To enhance the determinacy and predictability of power adjustments and task scheduling.
• To optimize power consumption while guaranteeing the punctuality of critical periodic tasks.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel scheduling scheme employing non-pre-emptible dual priority scheduling.
• Integration of the scheduler into a system on chip (SoC) supporting wireless body area networks (WBANs).
• Inclusion of a wakeup-radio and wakeup-timer for implantable medical devices within the SoC architecture.

Main Results:

• The proposed scheduling scheme demonstrated increased determinacy and predictability in power adjustments and task scheduling.
• Experimental validation confirmed the effectiveness of the scheduler in extending the operational lifetime of ICD devices.
• The system achieved significant power consumption optimization, crucial for long-term implantable device functionality.

Conclusions:

• The developed energy-efficient scheduling scheme effectively minimizes sleep-mode power consumption in implantable medical devices.
• Non-pre-emptible dual priority scheduling enhances operational predictability and ensures timely execution of critical medical tasks.
• This approach offers a viable solution for extending the lifespan of devices like ICDs, improving patient care.