Written by : Dr. Aishwarya Sarthe
March 17, 2025
Miniaturized Wireless SoC Designed for Medical Wearables and Connected Health
Silicon Labs has introduced the BG29, a new addition to its Series 2 family of wireless SoCs, aimed at enhancing Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) applications in the healthcare sector.
The BG29 is designed to enable high-performance computing and connectivity in compact medical devices, addressing challenges in miniaturization without compromising efficiency or security.
The BG29 is tailored for various healthcare applications, including blood glucose monitors, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), pulse oximeters, and smart implants.
The SoC is available in two compact package options—wafer-level chip-scale (WLCSP) and quad flat no-lead (QFN)—catering to different device size requirements.
According to Jacob Alamat, Senior Vice President, Home and Life Business Unit, Silicon Labs, “With the BG29, developers don’t have to settle. We’re combining high connectivity and performance with small size and exceptional security – empowering device makers to break records in tiny connectivity.”
The BG29 is equipped with 1 MB Flash and 256 kB RAM, ensuring smooth data tracking and real-time processing for portable medical devices. The high memory capacity allows continuous data logging even when a device is temporarily disconnected from a smartphone, addressing a standard limitation in wireless medical wearables.
The BG29 includes several features designed to support next-generation healthcare technology. The WLCSP package is suited for small, battery-powered medical devices such as disposable CGMs and insulin patches. In contrast, the QFN package is intended for larger medical applications like pulse oximeters and heart rate monitors.
It also has the DCDC Boost, which provides a wide voltage range, enabling compatibility with single-cell alkaline, silver-oxide, and button-cell batteries. The Coulomb Counter ensures accurate battery monitoring, preventing unexpected power loss in critical health devices.
Advanced Security – Featuring Secure Vault High with Virtual Secure Engine, the BG29 protects medical data and device integrity through encryption, secure key management, and authentication mechanisms.
Silicon Labs has confirmed that the BG29 will be generally available in Q3 2025. The SoC is expected to drive advancements in connected healthcare, improving the reliability and functionality of Bluetooth-powered medical wearables.