A low emission, low power non-linear frequency modulation based transmitter for implanted devices

The paper proposes a low emission, non linear frequency modulator for transmitting neural signals. With the advent of embedded medical devices, designers need to start developing low Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) devices. We propose a non-phase locked loop based frequency modulator. The modulator utilizes a ramp to encode the bit stream from the neural amplifier. In addition it utilizes a non linear signal to modulate the encoded signal leading to lowering of peak of power spectrum, a measure of electro-magnetic interference. The proposed algorithm has been implemented on 0.18μ AMS technology and results presented.