M3C is a CRAFT project which aims to provide a group of SMEs from Germany, Sweden, Spain and Poland, whose business interests include medical equipment development and distibution, system integration and healthcare information management systems, with access to advanced system-on-chip (SoC) technology to enable them to expand from their existingbusiness positions into the emrging homecare and ambulant medical devices markets. The project will enable these SMEs to contribute effectively to the goals of eHealth.

Three RTD performers will apply state-of-the-art techniques such as the application of multiplexed analogue components within sigma-delta modulators to the SoC-design. Higher performance small area digital cells and multi-channel digital filters will help reduce the chip area and power dissipation. Auto-calibration concepts will overcome the effects of non-ideal behaviour of analogue parts. Built-in self test (BIST) schemes will be implemented in order to increase the reliability of medical devices.  A digital signal processor (DSP) core will be integrated, making on chip data compression and signal feature extraction possible. Compression algorithms will be defined to run on the DSP-based platform, which minimise the requirements for data storage/transmission. The proposed developments include implementation of Bluetooth TM Wireless Technology for wireless communication. It is envisage that the results will permit multi-functional bio-signal processing devices (e.g. for EEG, ECG) to be developed which are 50% smaller and can be operated at approximately half of todays power consumption, providing the SMEs with opportunities for developing new generation wearable and possibly even implantable biosensors.