Researchers Cram Computer on Pen Tip
Researchers have created a millimeter-scale computing system with wireless network connectivity.
Wednesday researchers at the University of Michigan revealed that they have constructed the first prototype for a millimeter-scale computing system. Called Phoenix, the SoC is targeted toward the medical field and will be first used as a implantable eye pressure monitor for glaucoma patients.
During the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) in San Francisco, the three researchers behind Phoenix said that the overall package measures just one cubic millimeter, and contains an ultra low-power microprocessor, a pressure sensor, memory, a thin-film battery and a solar cell. Phoenix also contains a wireless radio with an antenna that can transmit data to an external reader device held up near the eye.
"This is the first true millimeter-scale complete computing system," said professor Dennis Sylvester from the university's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. "Our work is unique in the sense that we're thinking about complete systems in which all the components are low-power and fit on the chip. We can collect data, store it and transmit it. The applications for systems of this size are endless."
Sylvester said that the Phoenix SoC--currently in its 3rd generation--can store up to a week's worth of information. It also achieves ultra-low power consumption thanks to a unique power gating architecture and an extreme sleep mode. The latest model wakes every 15 minutes to take measurements within the eye, consuming an average 5.3 nanowatts. The battery recharges by consuming 10 hours of indoor light or 1.5 hours of direct sunlight.
As for the chip's micro radio, it features an on-chip antenna that doesn't require a bulky external crystal for two-way communication. Instead, it can automatically tune in to any wireless frequency that's available so that it can download stored information to an external reader. "This is the first integrated antenna that also serves as its own reference," said assistant professor David Wentzloff. "The radio on our chip doesn't need external tuning. Once you deploy a network of these, they'll automatically align at the same frequency."
The professors point to Bell's Law which says there is a new class of smaller, cheaper computers nearly each decade. The Phoenix SoS could mark the start of the next wave, powering millimeter-scale systems and networks. "Because they're so small, you could manufacture hundreds of thousands on one wafer," they said. "There could be 10s to 100s of them per person and it's this per capita increase that fuels the semiconductor industry's growth."
To learn more about Phoenix, head here.
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next up flying cars..
I hope that's not just a giant penny.
All it needs is a built in projector to display images on the inside of your eye.
Now that's augmented reality.
So long Micro ATX, hello Pen Tip ATX.
next up flying cars..
Hell naw!!! Idiots can barely drive on the ground as is. Well then again there are many places that should thin out the herd so to speak...hah!
5.3 nW, that's nice.
Can it play Crysis? LOL sorry, had to.
Seriously, could it handle Hangman or Solitaire? What CAN it do?
Next you will be swallowing these in pill form and your toilet will report back the state of your digestive system!
Yay Nanobots! Eventually they'll be able to repair Michael Jordan's joints with nanobots in time for his scheduled 3rd NBA comeback in 2029. I forget what source predicted his comeback, but it seemed reliable when I read it.
JOSHSKORN 02/25/2011 12:28 PM
Can it play Crysis? LOL sorry, had to.
Seriously, could it handle Hangman or Solitaire? What CAN it do?
DID YOU EVEN READ THE ARTICLE YOU DUMBASS INBRED AMERICAN HICK!?
eye pressure monitor? Surely there must be a cheaper way... an analog way.
Where are the dual x16 slots for my 580's?
eye pressure monitor? Surely there must be a cheaper way... an analog way.
Yep. First we put eye drops in your eyes to dilate them, keep you in a dark room so you don't go blind, sit you in front of a big machine that puffs air at your eye and measures your eye pressure, then send you home with a neat new pair of plastic cut out shades!
Granted you would not want all that implanted in your eyeball...
Where are the dual x16 slots for my 580's?
On x58 chipset motherboards?
That's Cool..
[citation]DID YOU EVEN READ THE ARTICLE YOU DUMBASS INBRED AMERICAN HICK!?[/citation]I get mad at dumbass Americans, but that was uncalled for. He was just toying around. If you hate Americans, say that--and it's probably justified--we do a lot of screwed up stuff. But don't rip on a guy just trying to make a non-offensive joke.
It would be cool if it could play Crysis. Instead it just does medical stuff-which is pretty boring until I'm the one that's sick.
well hello universal translator
iPen
Where are the dual x16 slots for my 580's?
Not only is that a stupid question, it is stupid to spend $1000 on an unnecessary graphics solution that will be pathetic in a few years.
Small/low watt/high performance is the future, you are going to have to learn to accept that.
the new eyephone
Aslong I can play TF2 all is good
)
impressive. as technology grows further, hopefully we might see pen-sized computers. Lol imagine this "This is my blue pen, this is my red pen, this is my 4 in 1 one pen, this is my COMPUTER PEN!"
Looks like within the next decade or so we will start to see smaller gaming computers out also that we can easily carry around with us...
With all these nano architecture coming around with even smaller gear,you will see smaller size graphic cards also...
Its the beginning of the end. Imagine having thousands of theses all over your body. And then they communicate with each other and decide to take over YOUR BODY.
Living zombies I tell you! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Where are the dual x16 slots for my 580's?
Sorry, It's integrated intel video.
We are the Borg
Resistance is futile. Prepare to be assimilated.
And yes it plays Borg Crysis.
Ha Ha Ha!! Sorry Collective!
Resuming...
Resistance is futile.
If systems like these can be produced cheaply, this will revolutionize our lives, starting in the medical field, but eventually moving into every day applications. Of course with the way our patent system works...
so will this give me super vision and/or different visual spectrum vision?
I get mad at dumbass Americans, but that was uncalled for. He was just toying around. If you hate Americans, say that--and it's probably justified--we do a lot of screwed up stuff. But don't rip on a guy just trying to make a non-offensive joke.
It would be cool if it could play Crysis. Instead it just does medical stuff-which is pretty boring until I'm the one that's sick.
do you really want to go there..? the hate word and dumb-ass is overkill.
take it up with that certain individual.
sounds like you need a hug, or jealous of Americans..
show more maturity please.