Technologies for highly miniaturized autonomous sensor networks

Recent results of the autonomous sensor research program HUMAN+ + will be summarized in this paper. The research program aims to achieve highly miniaturized and (nearly) autonomous sensor systems that assist our health and comfort. Although the application examples are dedicated to human monitoring/assistance, the necessary technology development for this program is generic and can serve many wireless sensor applications. This multi-disciplinary program combines research on wireless ultra-low-power communications, research on 2D/3D integration and packaging platforms, energy scavenging techniques, as well as low-power and ultralow-power sensor circuit design. An example sensor system is the wearable wireless EEG system. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.