Arduino Board selection for modified Pulse Oximeter Project

Hi everyone, my name is Austin Hoggatt and I only just joined the element14 community yesterday. I joined primarily to seek expertise on a new project. I am trying to determine the appropriate microcontroller for making a modified pulse oximeter. Basically, I am trying to make a pulse oximeter that has a probe with high brightness leds that can adjust in intesity so that you can get oxygen saturation measurements anywhere on the limbs or legs. It would have a maximum of 8 LEDs (red and IR) and probably 2 photodetectors. Do you have any advice on which microcontroller would best suit these needs? Attached is a more detailed description of my goals for this project, any comments or critiques are welcome!

-Regards,

Austin H.

Attachments:

Summer Deliverables.docx

0 colecago over 13 years ago

If you are already using an FPGA board, why are you using an Arduino as well? Is it for Analog Inputs? If so, wouldn't it be easier to use some SPI or I2C based ADC and go straight to the FPGA board?
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 e14 Contributor over 13 years ago in reply to colecago

So here's the thing - I have a nexys2 fpga board that I don't super duper know how to use, which is why I thought it would be an option in the first place but I think an Arduino would be much simpler and faster for start-up. Would you agree? I havent used an fpga in a few years so these things are somewhat fuzzy to me jumping back into the deep end.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 colecago over 13 years ago in reply to e14 Contributor

Arduino would be quicker if you haven't done FPGA stuff in awhile. So unless you are doing video or something, there is no real need for the FPGA at all. As for the Arduino, you aren't using much IO so any Arduino will probably be fine. I'd figure out what your power supply will be, then you can choose between the 3.3V or the 5V versions, then just get something that fits your packaging. I like the small usb based boards (like the teensy).
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel