austriamicrosystems Signs Development Contract

austriamicrosystems AG (Graz, Austria) signed a development contract for the design and supply of an ultra-low power, heart-rate receiver, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with POLAR Electro OY, a leading producer of heart-rate monitors (HRMs). The IC will be integrated into a wristwatch that is part of a family of HRM products produced by POLAR. It will receive and process a coded heart-rate signal that is wirelessly transmitted from the wearer’s chest belt.

"The heart rate is the most accurate indicator of a person’s physical condition," said Polar Technology Director Seppo Nissilä. "A heart-rate monitor provides vital cardiac information and is the fastest way to get feedback from the body while exercising. Our partnership with austriamicrosystems is an important step forward in our strategy to maintain and further expand our leading role in the consumer HRM market. The company’s outstanding technical expertise as well as its high-quality standards in the field of integrated circuits for the healthcare sector, convinced us to award the development contract to austriamicrosystems."