NXP’s new NHS2634 Analog Front End (AFE) is a miniaturized, multichannel, ultra-low-power electrochemical device designed for the future of medical wearables.
Designing medical wearables means balancing competing tradeoffs. Users want the ideal wearable: a device so discreet that patients forget it, yet powerful enough to provide clinical-grade accuracy for weeks on end. In practice, however, these often conflicting demands tend to lead designers to compromise. To resolve this tension, NXP is introducing the NHS2634 Analog Front End (AFE). As a highly accurate, ultra-low-power, multichannel solution, it's tailor-made to bias electrochemical sensors and amplify minute currents with maximum precision. When paired with NXP’s industry-leading microcontrollers, the NHS2634 AFE helps designers to finally deliver a truly user-centric and secure biosensing system without the tradeoffs that sacrifice size, battery life, or accuracy.
As wearable biosensing devices continue to shrink, system integration becomes increasingly critical. Standard AFEs are often too bulky for miniaturized patch form factors or consume so much power that batteries only last days when they need to last for weeks. Meanwhile, integrating features such as device activation and data offloading can increase footprint, bill of materials (BOM) and overall cost factors that negatively impact both user comfort and product scalability for OEMs. The NHS2634 addresses these challenges with a highly integrated and highly accurate multichannel solution.
For example, the NHS2634 is one of the few AFEs available to integrate an NFC interface in the same package. This feature allows designers to unlock unique and powerful capabilities, such as tap-to-activate functionality, out-of-band Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) pairing and contactless communication. In production, this means manufacturers can program and activate devices directly on the line. As for end users, sensor data—such as glucose or vital signs—can be transferred easily to a smartphone or reader via Near Field Communication (NFC).
Complementing the integrated NFC, the NHS2634 also includes an integrated supply switch that significantly improves device shelf life. Rather than allow the battery to drain while in storage, designers can have this switch to isolate the battery and keep medical wearables usable, even after months in the supply chain.
Accelerate your next medical design. Discover NXP’s new NHS2634 AFE.
The NHS2634 is an ultra-low power solution with an extremely small footprint (< 3.5 mm²). For the end user that translates into smaller longer-lasting wearables that remain comfortable for extended use and less frequent replacements.
For designers, this combination of efficiency and miniaturization enables greater flexibility across product lines, from simple, disposable glucose monitors to complex, multichannel biochemical patches. Whether designing a 1.5 V or 3 V battery, the NHS2634 provides a stable and highly accurate biasing environment for electrochemical reactions. As a result, designers can reuse the same AFE across product variants, while maintaining consistent data quality across all SKUs.
In the medical applications, data authenticity and privacy are non-negotiable. When paired with the MCX W23 MCU, the NHS2634 benefits from an Arm® Cortex®-M33 architecture with TrustZone ® technology to guarantee secure, isolated processing of sensitive patient data. By establishing hardware-level security as the baseline, engineers can produce connected health devices that are truly safe and private.
NHS2634 capabilities translate directly into practical benefits across a wide range of medical and wellness applications.
The NHS2634 is well suited for the CGM market, where it enables smaller, longer-lasting patches. By providing accurate low-current amplification, the device supports reliable blood sugar readings, while the tap-to-activate NFC feature makes the start-up process effortless for patients.
The multichannel capacity of NHS2634 makes it a strong fit for monitoring multiple biochemical markers such as body fluid vitals in clinical settings or geriatric care. Designers can integrate these capabilities into medical patches that continuously track biochemical markers, reducing the need for invasive, intermittent testing while supporting more responsive patient care.
Beyond clinical settings, the AFE can support applications such as sweat analysis and body-fluid measurements for end users, such as athletes and wellness enthusiasts. Its ultra-low-power profile allows for lightweight, unobtrusive wearables that monitor hydration or metabolic markers comfortably during intense physical activity without restricting movement.
To accelerate your path to market, NXP provides a comprehensive CGM reference design solution that covers both hardware and software. For even more support, try our FRDM evaluation boards with standard connectivity options for rapid prototyping and testing. Developers can also access NXP’s robust software ecosystem—including firmware, apps and cloud integration tools—to move efficiently from initial concept to clinical-grade, patient-trusted wearable.
For developers of wearable technology, the NHS2634 offers a differentiated solution for the next generation of biosensing:
By addressing size, power, integration and security at the analog front end, the NHS2634 helps designers focus on innovation rather than compromise.
Ready to innovate your wearable devices? Visit the NHS2634 product page to learn more and order your evaluation kit today.
Rahul Rathod is a Product Marketing Manager for Healthcare Solutions at NXP, with a focus on Personal Medical Applications. He has over 12 years of experience in the technology market, spanning industries including data centers, power, and healthcare. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in business.