[2020] Heartbeat measurement by infrared detection in the ear

Detection in the ear of very small temperature variations is quite a challenge. Sensor and electronics have to be optimized for highest signal-to-noise ratio. Previous research has shown that in-ear non-contact infrared detection enables measurement of the heart-rate. The accuracy and motion sensitivity of the first prototype of this system needs to be improved.

Wireless headsets combine audio applications (music and voice calls) with sensor applications (acceleration, temperature, magnetic). The project is in close cooperation with the Bluetooth earphone manufacturers Plantronics (USA) and Dopple (Emmen, NL).

Assignment

Main challenges of the project are:

-Research on the infrared source and detector combination optimizing sensitivity and robustness to movements of the heartbeat signal.

-Low noise amplification.

-Finding the best algorithms to extract the heartbeat signal from the data.

Contact

Last modified: 2022-11-15