Design and Implementation of a Heart Rate Monitor
1. Introduction
Heart rate monitors are essential biomedical devices used to measure and monitor a patient's heart rate in real-time. This project focuses on the design and implementation of a low-cost, reliable, and accurate heart rate monitoring system.
2. Objective
To design and implement a portable heart rate monitor using sensors and microcontroller technology that accurately measures the heart rate and displays it on a screen.
3. Components Required
- Microcontroller (e.g., Arduino Uno)
- Pulse sensor (e.g., Pulse Sensor Amped)
- LCD Display (16x2)
- Resistors and Capacitors
- Breadboard and jumper wires
- Power supply (Battery or USB)
- Buzzer (optional for alerts)
4. Block Diagram
The heart rate monitor consists of the following main blocks:
- Sensor Module: Detects pulse signal from the fingertip.
- Microcontroller: Processes the signal and calculates BPM.
- Display Module: Shows the BPM on the LCD.
- Power Supply: Provides required voltage and current.
5. Working Principle
The pulse sensor detects the changes in blood volume through the fingertip during each heartbeat. The analog signal is then sent to the microcontroller, which processes the signal to detect peaks. The number of peaks per minute gives the heart rate in BPM (beats per minute), which is displayed on the LCD.
6. Circuit Diagram Description
The pulse sensor is connected to one of the analog input pins of the Arduino. The LCD is connected using the digital pins and powered using the 5V pin of the Arduino. The system is powered using either a USB cable or a 9V battery.
7. Software and Programming
The Arduino IDE is used for writing and uploading code to the microcontroller. The code reads analog values from the sensor, applies a threshold to detect heartbeats, and calculates BPM over a fixed period.
8. Applications
- Fitness tracking devices
- Medical diagnostic tools
- Patient monitoring systems
- Wearable health monitors
9. Advantages
- Cost-effective
- Portable and lightweight
- Real-time monitoring
- Easy to use and maintain
10. Conclusion
The heart rate monitor designed in this project provides an efficient and accurate method of monitoring heart rate. With its simple design and ease of use, it is suitable for both clinical and personal healthcare applications.