ST Microelectronics STM32 Continua reference system is a set of software library and project allowing customers to build Healthcare Continua applications with high-quality and professional results. This library is based on USB PHDC and IEEE-11073 standards and enables communication between the Device (Agent) and the Application Hosting Device (Manager) according to Continua standards. One example of applications featuring thermometer (IEEE-11073:10408) is included to run out-of the box on an STM32L152-EVAL board that is connected to a personal computer running the Continua reference software (CESL). The reference library is certified compliant to the Continua Guidelines v1.5. Key Features •USB device - PHDC class •Continua Certified Reference library:IEEE 11073-20601 : base framework protocolDefault Agent : IEEE 11073-10408 Thermometer •Full documentation included providing all means on how to implement new Agents. •Thermometer demo project software available for IAR EWARM, Keil™ MDK-ARM. •Optimized footprints (Library excluding Thermometer Agent)Less than 8 Kbytes of Code+constantsLess than 1.5 Kbytes of RAM
STM32L and USB in Medical Applications
The USB communication protocol is no longer reserved to classic PC peripherals and is nowadays the most common wired channel for the next-generation UART in embedded systems that are connected to a host PC and in some cases via this host to the internet. The success of USB in medical applications has called for standardization and as a result the dedicated device class called Personal Healthcare Device Class (PHDC) has been defined through the USB- implementers’ forum. This new class enables health related devices such as exercise watches, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, weighing scales, glucose meters etc. to connect to a host and ease the communication between individual and fitness coach or patient and doctor. The USB PHDC was the first wired communication transport layer approved and adopted by the Continua Health alliance, an open industry consortium with more than 200 member companies around the world with the goal to harmonize the developments in the healthcare sector. STMicroelectronics is member of Continua and provides the PHDC USB package with the medical applications USB Stack on for the STM32L MCUs along with a complete set of USB classes such as mass storage, human interface devices, audio and DFU for firmware updates on the field. This stack (Figure 3) is based on USB PHDC and IEEE-11073 standards and enables communication between the device and the host according to Continua standards. Two example applications featuring, thermometer (IEEE-11073:10408) and glucose meter (IEEE-11073:10417) are included to run out-of the box on STM32L152-EVAL evaluation board connected to the Continua reference software (Continua Enabling Software Library) emulated on a personal computer.