EKG FPGA development board  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Dmeads
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2024, 08:35:37 pm
content: Hello all! I just started my senior year in Electrical Engineering, and I am working on implementing the Pan-Thompkins QRS peak detection algorithm in an FPGA.The circuit uses a lattice FPGA, and the analog front end is from Analog Devices. The EKG is single lead. It will output (over SPI) all samples of the EKG as well as indicate when there has been a peak in the QRS complex. The focus is using the low-cost and low-power of the FPGA to do the signal processing, therefore take load of the main processor.My professor wants us to focus on making a "product" that could sell in the current market (we wont actually be selling it).I have two choices for my project:1). Make a very small module with all the circuitry on it, that companies could purchase and "drop in" to their existing designs.2). Make a much larger footprint development board that companies could purchase and fine tune the design before putting it on their own board.This project's market is targeted for wearable electronics market, or an in home EKG like KardiaMobile. I watched a bunch of teardowns of smart watches and wearables, and it seems that most have one pcb with everything on it. This makes me think a drop in module would be much less valuable due to size constraints. However, during the prototyping stage, companies could purchase the development board and see if they want to integrate the system onto their own board.Is my thinking wrong here? Would there be a better market for drop in modules?I already have a development solution hacked together with an FPGA board, breadboarded power, and the eval kit for the AFE from Analog Devices, so im wondering where to focus next. Im not opposed to doing both the development board and drop in module, but worry about cost and time constraints.Thanks.

author: moffy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2024, 09:38:38 pm
content: Focus on getting the EKG functional first, the second is a matter of form factor or packaging which can be done separately once it is working.

author: daisizhou
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2024, 02:52:29 am
content: It sounds like the work you designed has been on the market and has been used for many years.Please see the actual picture.Due to limited information, I can only find so much, please check the link belowhttps://www.manualslib.com/manual/1718212/Marquette-Hellige-Microsmart.html?page=21#manual

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2024, 03:57:13 am
content: Quote from: Dmeads on October 11, 2024, 08:35:37 pmThat would basically be a single chip, obviously not practical to DIY. But the idea can certainly be presented.QuoteThat would be very reasonable, could even design it as a module intended to be integrated into fitness equipment. That would still be a fairly big market but won't be so space constrained like the wearable devices are.

author: daisizhou
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2024, 04:34:12 am
content: FPGA signal processing seems like a good idea.But I think it is limited to the laboratory or for testing,First of all, although it simplifies the circuit, it is not stable in the real environment, such as static interference, impact...Many FPGA chips are GBA packages, which can easily lead to soldering failure or similar failures.Secondly, in harsh environments, FPGA cannot be replaced after being damaged because there is a program inside and the user cannot obtain the firmware.Even if you get a new FPGA chip, it won’t work properly without the firmware inside.Unless it is a consumer electronic product, after-sales repair or user-service repair is not considered，I mean the user tried to repair it themselves.As an engineer, I don’t like FPGAs, although they are flexible.There are also chips that can store programs internally, because repairs cannot be performed.I know the reality is not what I want, I am just expressing my opinion

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2024, 04:53:44 pm
content: Quote from: daisizhou on October 12, 2024, 04:34:12 amMost FPGAs don't have the programming burned into them, there's a separate SPI Flash that does that function. The problem you're describing affects almost every modern microcontroller. (The RP2040 and ESP32 being notable exceptions, since those use external SPI Flash!)