Windows 10 IoT Core – Reading Heart Rate Pulses

 

Hardware components:
Microchip MCP3008
× 1
Pi 3 02
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
× 1
SparkFun Heart Rate Pulse Sensor
× 1
12002 04
Breadboard (generic)
× 1
11026 02
Jumper wires (generic)
× 15
Software apps and online services:
10
Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Core
Vs2015logo
Microsoft Visual Studio 2015

Windows 10 IoT Core - Reading Heart Rate Pulses

STORY

In this tutorial, you will learn how to connect a Heart Rate Pulse Sensor to a Raspberry Pi and read the output data coming from the sensor using a UWP (Windows 10) Application.

First of all, the output data coming out from the sensor is analog, so we need an analog-to-digital converter to be able to connect it the raspberry pi, so we are using an ADC here which is “MCP3008”.

Step One – Connecting the parts together:

Our sensor is very simple with three legs:

  • BLACK: Ground
  • RED: Input: +3V or +5V
  • PURPLE: Signal

So, we need to connect the signal coming from the sensor to one of the channels in our ADC, to know how to connect the ADC, here's a scheme of our IC to know the function of each leg. (I got it from the datasheet of the IC, you can google it)

You will find attached the scheme of the entire circuit c

Step Two: UWP (Windows 10) App

In order to read the coming data from the sensor, we need a software/app to handle this circuit and get the data out of it, so I will attach a UWP App written in C# to perform this function, it's very simple, you can find it on GitHub also, and I will try to explain each code line to understand it more, and maybe I will record a tutorial for that.

Step Three: What's next?

Okay, now you can read the data coming out from the pulse sensor, so what is the next step? and what are the most important things to learn from this tutorial?

First of all, important things to consider from this tutorial:

  • Now, you can read any analog data via raspberry pi
  • You can use the same concept, and implement it with any other tools
  • You can use the same ADC, same Code(almost) and the same connection(almost) to read any other analog data
  • Now, you know how to use SPI Interface in raspberry pi

What's next?

There are a couple of scenarios in mind now for further implementation of this simple demo:

  • Another good scenario and practice for building an IoT Solution is to send this data to Microsoft Azure, and use Power BI to visualize this data into any other client.

Windows 10 IoT Core - Reading Heart Rate Pulses


About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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