TMS
Student Corner
Page 17
Microprocessors Cont.
After the initial boot-up, settings are entered by use of the keypad.
That information is received and processed through the MCU’s System
Controls PRCM (power, reset, and clock management) and sent to the
General Purpose Memory Controller (GPMC). There the entered settings
are stored until they are no longer needed. External Peripheral Interfaces
control the display settings, the output devices, and of course the pump
A GPMC is a builtin memory
itself. There are other features of the processor that control optional input/output devices, graphics accelerator, and display processors.
controller
dedicated to
It is easy to see how much the microprocessor affects medical de-
interfacing
vices. Other devices, by use of the microprocessor, can actually store
external memory
and monitor a patients history and makes adjustments to the settings
devices (e.g. NAND
FLASH, etc.)
within an ic chip.
automatically. Or also have features such as talk-to-text for the sight impaired. Medical devices are increasingly efficient to the point that they
nearly function on their own. Although the use of microprocessors is used
largely for communication and entertainment, the use of them in medical
devices is saving lives in increasing numbers all over the world.
References:
1. Korneev, V. V., and A. Kiselev. "Chapter 1 Modern Microprocessors
and Chapter 2 Universal Microprocessor." Modern Microprocessors.
Third ed. Hingham, MA: Charles River Media, 2004. Print.
2. "Medical Applications Guide." Http://www.ti.com/lit/sg/slyb108e/
slyb108e.pdf. Texas Instrument, 2010. Web. .
3. "Texas Instruments AM3517 Sitara ARM® MPU." Mouser Electronics
- Electronic Component Distributor. Web. 22 Nov. 2011. .