Emerging Technologies in CMOS Integrated Sensing System-On-Chip: A Review

The evolution of sensing technologies is rapidly shifting toward highly integrated CMOS-based sensing system-on-chip (SoC). These systems consolidate sensors, signal processing, and communication capabilities onto a single chip, enabling compact, low-power, scalable, and cost-effective solutions for a wide range of applications, including wearable health monitoring, environmental sensing, industrial automation, etc. This article provides a comprehensive review of the emerging technologies in CMOS integrated sensing SoCs, beginning with an overview of their growing relevance in response to the limitations of traditional standalone sensors and the rising demand for miniaturized, multifunctional devices. The architectural components of sensing SoCs are detailed, including sensing modalities, signal conditioning circuits, and communication interfaces, while examining key design challenges, such as power efficiency, signal integrity, miniaturization bottlenecks, and system reliability. Furthermore, current trends, such as the integration of wireless communication, energy harvesting, on-chip AI, and the emergence of flexible and wearable platforms, are explored. Finally, this article discusses future directions in the field, including advances in semiconductor manufacturing, the use of sustainable materials, etc. The interdisciplinary nature of this field and the necessity for collaborative innovation are emphasized as key drivers toward the next generation of intelligent sensing SoCs. Together, these developments are shaping a new generation of smart, adaptable, and energy-efficient systems, redefining the landscape of CMOS integrated sensing solutions.