Texas Instruments AFE4960PYBGR

Overview

AFE4960PYBGR from Texas Instruments is a two-channel clinical-grade analog front end (AFE) for synchronized ECG, respiration impedance, and pace pulse detection in wearable patient monitors. It delivers 13 µVpp input-referred noise (0.5–150 Hz) at INA gain = 3, supports up to 2.048 kHz single-channel ECG sampling, and integrates RLD output, lead-off detection, and 370 Hz anti-aliasing filtering - enabling compact 3-lead ECG + SpO₂ systems.

For engineers reviewing the AFE4960PYBGR datasheet, AFE4960PYBGR pinout, AFE4960PYBGR application, or AFE4960PYBGR equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual-mode ECG/Bio-Z configuration, integrated pacemaker pulse detection on Channel 1, 24-bit FIFO with 128-sample depth, SPI/I²C interface selectability, and DSBGA-36 package with 0.4-mm pitch for high-density clinical wearables.

Technical Context

The AFE4960PYBGR implements time-multiplexed signal acquisition across three independent analog chains - ECG, Bio-Z (respiration), and PPG - all digitized by a shared 24-bit ADC with deterministic timing slots. Its programmable instrumentation amplifier (INA) offers gain from ~2 to 12, >1 GΩ input impedance, and >100 dB CMRR, while the Bio-Z transmitter supports 30–100 kHz sine/square excitation for impedance spectroscopy.

The PPG chain includes four independently controllable LED drivers (up to 250 mA, 8-bit resolution), four photodiode receivers with transimpedance gains from 3.7 kΩ to 1 MΩ, and optical noise bandwidth filtering. Pace pulse detection operates on Channel 1 with dedicated analog conditioning and digital demodulation logic, decoupled from ECG acquisition timing.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AFE4960PYBGR uses a 36-ball DSBGA (YBG) package with 0.4-mm pitch and 2.6 mm × 2.6 mm body size. Ball layout follows TI's YBG0036 drawing with Pin 1 in Quadrant Q1. Exposed metal pad (ball E3) serves as thermal and electrical ground reference.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar clinical AFE applications.

Compared with AFE4960PYBGR, AFE4404RGZT omits respiration and pace detection while offering lower resolution and no IEC 60601-2-27 support; AD8233ACPZ-R7 provides only ECG amplification with no integrated ADC or digital interface - requiring external processing and increasing system-level design effort for clinical wearables.

Availability

AFE4960PYBGR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless clinical patches, multi-lead Holter monitors, and hand-held ECG devices requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and full IEC 60601 compliance support.

Supply support for AFE4960PYBGR includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog and embedded processing solutions for industrial, automotive, and medical applications since 1930.

The AFE4960PYBGR belongs to TI's clinical-grade analog front end product line, engineered specifically for FDA- and CE-certifiable wearable vital sign monitors that require synchronized ECG, PPG, and respiration acquisition in ultra-small form factors.

FAQ

What is the primary clinical function of the AFE4960PYBGR?

The AFE4960PYBGR is a clinical-grade analog front end designed to acquire synchronized ECG, respiration impedance, and pace pulse signals in wearable patient monitors. It supports IEC 60601-2-47 and IEC 60601-2-27 compliance, features integrated RLD output, lead-off detection, and a 24-bit ADC with 128-sample FIFO - making it suitable for FDA-submission-ready wireless patches and Holter systems. The AFE4960PYBGR enables high-fidelity, multi-parameter physiological monitoring in compact form factors.

Does the AFE4960PYBGR support both SPI and I²C interfaces simultaneously?

No, the AFE4960PYBGR supports either SPI or I²C communication, selected at power-up via the MODE pin. When MODE is pulled high, the device initializes in SPI mode (SCLK/SDI/SDO/CS active); when MODE is pulled low, it enters I²C mode (SCL/SDA active). Both interfaces access the same register map and FIFO, but only one can be used per configuration. The AFE4960PYBGR does not allow concurrent operation of both protocols.

How does the AFE4960PYBGR handle pacemaker pulse detection?

The AFE4960PYBGR implements dedicated analog signal conditioning and digital demodulation logic for pace pulse detection on Channel 1 only. It processes the ECG1 input through a high-pass filtered path optimized for 1–2 ms wide, 50–100 mV amplitude pacing artifacts, then asserts the open-drain PACE_DET pin. This hardware-accelerated detection operates independently of the main ECG ADC path, ensuring low-latency, deterministic response without host CPU involvement. The AFE4960PYBGR does not support pace detection on Channel 2.

What are the power supply requirements for the AFE4960PYBGR?

The AFE4960PYBGR requires three independent supply rails: VDD_RX (1.7–1.9 V) for analog core and ADC, VDD_IO (1.7–1.9 V) for digital I/O and interface logic, and VDD_TX (3.0–5.5 V) for PPG LED drivers. Each rail must be decoupled locally with 100 nF ceramic + 1 µF tantalum capacitors. The AFE4960PYBGR draws 222 µA per channel in dual-ECG mode and supports internal oscillator or external clock input - no additional crystal is required unless higher timing precision is needed.

Can the AFE4960PYBGR be used in a 5-lead ECG configuration?

Yes, the AFE4960PYBGR supports 5-lead ECG by operating two or more units in parallel, each configured as a 2-channel ECG receiver. Its flexible electrode interface accommodates up to 4 electrodes per device, and the RLD output can be shared across multiple AFEs to maintain common-mode stability. The AFE4960PYBGR's time-multiplexed architecture ensures synchronized sampling across devices when driven by a shared clock and frame sync signal - enabling coherent multi-lead vectorcardiogram (VCG) reconstruction without external alignment logic.