The Bio Highway – Getting Started with Heartbeat Sensor

12 Apr 2020

AD8232 ECG Measurement Heart Monitor Sensor Module

My initial plan was to use AD8232 ECG Measurement Heart Monitor Sensor Module. The AD8232 is a low cost integrated front end for signal conditioning of cardiac bio electrical signals to monitor heart rate. I've ordered it on February 2nd. But still hasn't received due disruption of supply chains in China.

ICSG007A ICStation Heartbeat Sensor

Fortunately I have another sensor that can provide heartbeat information. ICSG007A is a low cost, small, lightweight and easy to use module. The detection module combines a photo-transistor and green light LED. It generates analogue signal when a finger or earlobe is placed on it. Here are its characteristics:

Working Voltage = 3V to 5V

Working Current = ~4mA at 5V

Length (mm):18

Width (mm):15

Height (mm):4

Weight (g):2

Brand: IC-Station

Minimum Operating Temperature: -40°C

Maximum Operating Temperature: 85°C

Pin Pitch: 2.54mm

Testing Heartbeat Sensor

I never used it before. But it comes with some Arduino sample. I've decided to test if it is working before connecting to Cypress board. I've soldered three pins to the sensor board and connected it to my Arduino Uno. I've connected power to ground and 5V and analogue output to A0.

I've download the sample of pulse sensor code from the manufacturer of the sensor http://www.icstation.com/product_document/Download/3554.zip

The bundle has two programs. One is for Arduino to read analogue sensor readings and covert them to serial output as numbers. The second program reads serial output from Arduino and draws graph on PC as well provides heartbeat measurement as BPM. I've used a free open source tool OBS Studio to capture the process of programming Arduino Uno, getting serial data and getting visual representation on video.

Next Steps

Now it is clear that sensor is working as expected I need to learn how I can program Cypress PSOC to use it ADC to read signal analogue from the sensor.

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ankur608 over 5 years ago

Hi Sergey, it is a good decision to use dedicated HRV sensor, instead of getting bpm values from AD8232(intended for ECG measurement), which happens to produce noisy signals and interference with the A.C., along with a set of electrodes that need to be placed wisely on the subject's body.
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vlasov01 over 5 years ago in reply to ankur608

Hi Amkur,

Thank you for your feedback! My intention was to measure ECG and get BPM as byproduct of ECG.
But I agree, that it is much simpler to work with optical sensor than with AD8232. And it is cheaper to operate as it doesn't require single use ECG electrodes.
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vlasov01 over 5 years ago in reply to ankur608

Hi Amkur,

Thank you for your feedback! My intention was to measure ECG and get BPM as byproduct of ECG.
But I agree, that it is much simpler to work with optical sensor than with AD8232. And it is cheaper to operate as it doesn't require single use ECG electrodes.
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