IEEE 11073 SDC Stack and Integration Kit
The IEEE 11073 SDC Stack and Integration Kit – SDC Stack for short - is a production-grade software stack for standards-compliant communication between medical devices and clinical systems based on the IEEE 11073 Service‑oriented Device Connectivity (SDC) standard.
It enables secure, dynamic, bi-directional interaction between heterogeneous devices across manufacturer boundaries. In addition to the software stack, the Integration Kit includes audit-ready documentation intended to support regulatory and approval processes.
The product targets medical device manufacturers and system developers who design and integrate connected medical devices and clinical systems to achieve vendor-independent interoperability, for example in Intensive Care units and connected operating rooms.
Key Benefits at a Glance
The SDC Stack and Integration Kit is designed to reduce implementation risk, development effort, and regulatory complexity when bringing interoperable medical device systems into clinical use.
- Multi-year head start
Ensure a multi-year head start into the Interoperability Medical Device Market - Audit‑ready documentation
Audit-ready development and software lifecycle documentation supports regulated product development and helps reduce effort in approval and audit activities. - End‑to‑end SDC enablement beyond the stack
Benefit from Vector’s SDC ecosystem combining training, CANoe-based simulation and testing, and hands-on technical guidance to accelerate SDC integration.
- Proven expertise in communication software
More than 35 years of experience in developing reliable communication software for safety‑critical and long‑lifecycle systems. - Scalable and performant system architecture
Designed to support demanding clinical workflows. From single devices to distributed, multi-device systems with predictable performance characteristics - Cybersecurity‑oriented design
Supports cybersecurity‑relevant standards such as IEC 62443‑4‑1 and recognized cybersecurity practices.
Key Features of Our SDC Stack
Vector’s IEEE 11073 SDC Stack and Integration Kit provides the technical foundation required to implement interoperable, secure, and standards‑compliant SDC-based medical device systems.
SDC Protocol Coverage
The SDC Stack supports the IEEE 11073 SDC family of standards and is continuously updated to incorporate newly released and revised specifications. Regular validation activities ensure interoperability across vendors and device types in clinical environments.
Robust Communication Layer
The SDC Stack implements a reliable and secure communication layer based on MDPWS, with TLS authentication & encryption for data protection. Preparations for gRPC are already in place, enabling future dual-stack support once standardized.
Extensively Tested and Validated
The SDC Stack is thoroughly tested to ensure reliability, security, and interoperability. Validation includes benchmarking on multiple hardware platforms, cybersecurity testing, multi‑vendor interoperability testing, and comprehensive quality assurance using automated tests, code analysis, and reviews.
Regulatory Documentation Package
The Integration Kit includes audit‑ready development and software lifecycle documentation aligned with relevant medical device standards, supporting regulated product development and approval activities up to EU MDR class IIb.
Flexible Discovery & Service Integration
The stack supports multiple discovery models, including ad‑hoc multicast, managed discovery via proxy, as well as participant‑key‑purpose (PKP) and context‑based discovery. This enables dynamic, targeted interaction between devices and systems within heterogeneous SDC networks.
Device‑Agnostic & Scalable Architecture
The device‑agnostic software stack supports SDC provider, consumer, and hybrid provider‑consumer applications. It is designed to scale from individual devices to distributed, multi‑device systems and integrates seamlessly into embedded and higher‑level software architectures.
Standard Compliant Connectivity for Interoperable Medical Devices
The IEEE 11073 SDC family of standards defines a service-oriented communication model that allows medical devices and clinical systems to discover each other, exchange data, and interact dynamically within a clinical network.
Integrating the SDC Stack into a medical device or system enables standards-compliant communication based on IEEE 11073 SDC. The device-agnostic software stack allows manufacturers to develop SDC provider, consumer, and hybrid provider-consumer applications, supporting secure, service-based interaction between heterogeneous devices in multi-vendor environments.
Beyond the software stack, the Integration Kit includes audit-ready development and software lifecycle documentation aligned with IEC 62304, designed to support regulated product development and medical device approval activities.
Typical Application Examples
The IEEE 11073 SDC Standard defines a service-oriented communication architecture that allows medical devices to discover, communicate, and collaborate securely in real time, all without proprietary constraints.
Networked Operating Room
Plug-and-play interoperable communication in a heterogeneous device ecosystem enabling workflow automation.
Silent ICU
Alarm management and delegation between systems reducing noise, alarm fatigue and improving patient safety.
Intensive Care and Emergency Environment
Secure data exchange and service interaction across distributed devices.
System‑Level Interoperability Testing
Combined use with Vector simulation and test tools to validate SDC networks.
Architecture And Standards Alignment
The SDC Stack is designed around internationally harmonized standards and a service-oriented system architecture tailored for interoperable medical device networks in clinical environments.
Aligned with Different Standards
The architecture of the SDC Stack is aligned with the IEEE 11073 Service-oriented Device Connectivity (SDC) family of standards and its core specifications:
ISO/IEEE 11073‑20702 (Medical Devices Communication Profile for Web Services)
ISO/IEEE 11073‑10207 (Domain Information and Service Model)
ISO/IEEE 11073‑20701 (Architecture and binding)
Support of Participant Key Purpose (PKP) Definitions
Beyond the core standards, the SDC Stack supports published Participant Key Purpose (PKP) definitions, including Base PKP (ISO/IEEE 11073-10700) and Metric PKP (ISO/IEEE 11073-10701), enabling standardized security contexts, device roles, and fine‑grained access to medical data and services.
SDC Standardization Activities
The SDC Stack architecture follows ongoing SDC standardization activities and is designed for future extensions. Vector actively contributes to the SDC ecosystem and continuously evaluates upcoming concepts and profiles, allowing new standard features to be prototyped and integrated early once they become available.
Alignment with relevant safety, cybersecurity, and clinical standards supports secure and interoperable medical device systems in regulated environments.
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