Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAXREFDES106#

Overview

MAXREFDES106# from Analog Devices is a chest-worn, battery-powered health sensor evaluation platform integrating ECG, optical PPG (red/IR), bioimpedance (BioZ), dual temperature sensing, and BLE 5.0 wireless telemetry. It delivers real-time HR, SpO₂, RR, skin/ambient temperature, and location-optimized placement guidance via Windows PC GUI. Designed for clinical-grade vital sign prototyping with one-day runtime on its 190mAh Li-Po battery.

For engineers reviewing the MAXREFDES106# datasheet, MAXREFDES106# pinout, MAXREFDES106# application, or MAXREFDES106# equivalent, this page details its system architecture, firmware update workflow, sensor fusion capabilities, BLE connectivity requirements, and integration with ADI's proprietary Algo Hub (MAX32674C) and host MCU (MAX32666).

Technical Context

The MAXREFDES106# implements a dual-MCU architecture: the MAX32666 host MCU manages system control, BLE 5.0 communication, USB-C interface, flash memory (256MB), power sequencing (via MAX20356 PMIC), and the Location Finder algorithm; the MAX32674C coprocessor executes proprietary SpO₂ algorithms from flashed .msbl firmware and processes PPG/accelerometer data offload.

Sensor acquisition relies on the MAX86178 AFE - a single-chip solution supporting concurrent PPG (dual-channel, ambient-light-cancelling), 3-electrode ECG, and 4-electrode BioZ measurement - paired with ADXL367 accelerometer and two MAX30210 ±0.1°C temperature sensors. All raw and processed data streams are routed to the Windows PC GUI via BLE using the BleuIO dongle.

Key Specifications

Availability

MAXREFDES106# is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for biomedical R&D, clinical trial instrumentation, remote patient monitoring prototyping, and FDA-submission-ready wearable development requiring stable component supply and full design traceability.

Supply support for MAXREFDES106# 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

Analog Devices, Inc. is a global semiconductor leader specializing in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies for precision measurement and sensing applications.

The MAXREFDES106# belongs to ADI's Reference Design (REFDES) portfolio - purpose-built as a turnkey, fully validated health sensor platform to accelerate development of regulatory-compliant vital sign monitoring systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MAXREFDES106#?

The MAXREFDES106# is a complete, chest-worn health sensor evaluation platform designed to acquire and process ECG, PPG, BioZ, and temperature data for real-time vital sign estimation. It is not a standalone production device but a reference design intended for rapid prototyping and algorithm validation in clinical and research settings. The MAXREFDES106# integrates hardware, firmware, and PC software to enable immediate bench testing without custom PCB development.

Does the MAXREFDES106# perform all vital sign calculations onboard?

No. The MAXREFDES106# performs only SpO₂ calculation onboard using the MAX32674C Algo Hub with flashed .msbl firmware. Heart rate, respiration rate, blood stroke volume, and cardiac output are computed in the Windows PC GUI using raw ECG and BioZ data streamed over BLE. The MAXREFDES106# itself handles sensor acquisition, preprocessing, and wireless transmission - not full clinical algorithm execution.

What firmware components must be updated together for MAXREFDES106# operation?

Three firmware components must be updated in lockstep: the MAX32666 host MCU firmware (.bin), the MAX32674C Algo Hub firmware (.msbl), and the Windows PC GUI application (.exe). These are bundled in each official Analog Devices release package. Mismatched versions cause communication failures, missing GUI tabs, or incorrect SpO₂ output. The MAXREFDES106# requires synchronized updates to ensure register mapping, BLE packet structure, and algorithm interface compatibility.

Is the MAXREFDES106# compatible with operating systems other than Windows?

No. The MAXREFDES106# Health Sensor Platform PC GUI is exclusively built for Microsoft Windows 10 or later. It relies on Windows-specific drivers for USB-C enumeration, COM port assignment, and BLE dongle (BleuIO) interaction. No macOS or Linux version is provided or supported by Analog Devices. All configuration, visualization, logging, and firmware flashing workflows are Windows-dependent.

What electrodes and cables are included with the MAXREFDES106#?

The MAXREFDES106# includes a USB-C 7-lead ECG/BioZ snap electrode cable, fourteen 3M Red Dot wet electrodes (model B01AME7YC0), two aluminum contact disks, and 3M double-sided adhesive tape (1577). The 7-lead cable connects to the patch's USB-C port and supports simultaneous 3-lead ECG and 4-electrode BioZ measurements. Correct orientation - with the USB symbol visible when viewing the patch top-down - is mandatory for proper channel mapping.