HHM System 1

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

design document for

HHM System

submitted to:

Bryan A. Jones, Ph.D.

ECE 4512: Senior Design I
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
413 Hardy Road, Box 9571
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762

[Image source: http://horsemusclecare.com/wp-

content/uploads/2010/04/Dollarphotoclub_50123119.jpg]

May 1, 2017
prepared by:

C. Sasser, A. Heath, J. Brown, H. Alsabbahi

Faculty Advisor: Associate Professor Robert Reese
Agriculture & Biological Engineering Advisor: Lakiesha Williams, PhD
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mississippi State University
413 Hardy Road, Box 9571
Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
Tel: 662-325-3912, Fax: 662-325-2298
email: {cs3022, ajh524, jdb587, has252}@ece.msstate.edu

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

BPM Beats Per Minute

ECG Electrocardiogram

GSM Global System for Mobile Communication

HHM HHM

IC Integrated Circuit

I/O Input or Output

ID Identification

IP Ingress Protection

IR Infrared

RFID Radio Frequency Identification

SMS Short Message Service

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Current methods used in obtaining a horse’s pulse and temperature can be time consuming and potentially
dangerous. These two are the most used indicator of a healthy or sick horse. This system aims to assure
horse owners and veterinarians about the actual status of their horse’s health by detecting early symptoms
of illness. The fundamental goal of the Horse Health Monitoring System (HHM System) is to safely and
efficiently monitor the essential vitals of a horse as an indicator of the horse’s overall health. Early
detection through the HHM System relieves the financial burden by reducing the higher costs associated
with late detection of illness and also eliminates emotional burden that may arise if the horse eventually
dies. A visual representation of the HHM System can be seen in Figure 1.

Figure 1. HHM System Overview

In the quest to develop a robust device, several technical and practical design constraints must be
addressed. A crucial aspect of a horse’s health diagnosis is an accurate measurement of the vitals.
Therefore, the HHM System must provide users with a precise measurement within the normal
temperature of 99.5F to 101.5F, as well as a normal heart rate of 32 to 36 beats per minute (bpm). The
HHM device must be cost-effective, compact and installed on a comfortable, non-invasive location on the
horse. As an added benefit from the design aspect, the device is waterproof and dust proof.

Critical to the overall performance of the HHM System, a horse-compatible pulse sensor, highly durable
temperature sensor, and robust long-range communication system were selected. The microcontroller will
gather the vitals from the temperature and pulse sensors. Subsequently, the device sends it to the user via
text message. This device will be provided with a portable long-lasting battery.
The originality in designing the HHM System is its affordability and flexibility compared to other already
existing monitoring systems. However, safety is also one of the main priorities of the team design. The
HHM System reduces the discomfort that horses, owners, and veterinarians may experience.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PROBLEM .......................................................................................................................................... 5

2. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS/CONSTRAINTS................................................................................ 7

2.1. Technical Design Constraints ........................................................................................................ 7

2.2. Practical Design Constraints .......................................................................................................... 8

3. APPROACH ...................................................................................................................................... 10

3.1. Hardware ................................................................................................................................... 10

3.2. Software ..................................................................................................................................... 14

4. EVALUATION ............................................................................................................................... 119

4.1. Test Certification – Temperature Sensor Accuracy .................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.2. Test Certification – Pulse Sensor Accuracy ............................................................................ 24

4.3. Test Certification – Ingress Protection ................................................................................... 25

4.4. Test Certification – Battery Capacity ..................................................................................... 25

4.5. Test Certification – User Notifications .................................................................................... 27

5. SUMMARY AND FUTURE WORK .............................................................................................. 28

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................................. 28

7. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 29

8. APPENDIX: PRODUCT SPECIFICATION ................................................................................. 31

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1. PROBLEM STATEMENT

1.1 Historical Introduction

The first known instance of domesticated horses in history was 5000 BCE in Central Asia where they
were grown for meat and milk. Horses eventually were seen for their potential around 4000 to 5000 years
ago. Evidence indicates humans had learned to ride them as well as use them with chariots. Roads were
built and trade routes were established utilizing horses as a means of transporting goods and information
between cities. Soon, with the development of stirrups and saddles, horses were engaged in warfare as
well [1]. The importance of horses in society was crucial. In America in 1915, the horse population had
reached around 20 million. The industrial revolution and the age of the automobile, however, caused the
need for horses to plummet as well as their population. By 1960, there were only a few million left in
America [2]. As machines and technology replaced the horse’s brute strength and endurance, the role of
the horse inevitably shifted to what we know today. The horse has become a great companion to humans
and the bond between them has never been stronger; neither has the need to properly care for them.

The most useful tool horse owners and veterinarians have to monitor a horse’s health are its vitals such as
pulse rate and temperature. The HHM system would aid veterinarians and horse owners alike by
providing quicker and easier access to measuring and viewing these data. Pulse rate and temperature are
two leading indicators of a horse’s overall health. Some common conditions that lead to surgical
operations and/or death are colic, lameness, and respiratory infections. These conditions all have
symptoms that can affect pulse rate and body temperature. Colic is a condition in which an issue arises in
a horse’s digestive tract. There are two main forms of colic. One form, called spasmodic colic, is caused
by an accumulation of gas in the colon, which leads to acute abdominal pain. The other form is called
impaction colic and can have a variety of culprits such as internal parasites, dehydration, a benign tumor
in the gut, and excessive ingestion of sand. Impaction colic causes a drop in body temperature as the
disease worsens, and all forms of colic cause an abnormally high pulse rate of over 50 beats per minute
[3]. Lameness in a horse results in the horse’s loss of use of its lower extremities. Common causes of
lameness are trauma, infection, metabolic disorders, acquired disorders, and infection. Any type of
infection in a horse will cause an increase in body temperature, to include respiratory infections as well as
other diseases [4].

The current methods to obtain a horse’s vitals are time consuming and potentially dangerous. Pulse rate is
measured by hand either under the jowl, under the girth (armpit), or on a vein close to the hoof. To
accurately measure a horse’s temperature, it must be performed rectally. A large thermometer is inserted
in the horse’s rectum and must have a string attached and tied to the tail so it does not get loose or
“sucked in” during measurement. In the event the horse defecates unexpectedly, the process must be
repeated. A person obtaining a rectal temperature of a horse is at risk of being kicked by the horse, which
could cause bone fractures and bruising at a minimum. The HHM system would obtain these vitals
automatically and repetitively to eliminate the risks involved for personnel obtaining these measurements
as well as expedite the process tremendously.

1.2 Market and Competitive Product Analysis

The HHM system would primarily be used by veterinarians and owners of higher end horses such as
those used for competition or breeding. According to a 2013 U.S. veterinary workforce study performed
by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are an estimated 9.2 million horses in
the U.S. Of these horses, 845,000 are used for racing, 2.7 million are used for showing, 3.9 million are
used for recreational purposes, and 1.75 million are used for other activities. In the state of Mississippi,
27,200 households own horses. Nationally, 2,137,800 households own horses [5]. The initial investment
of horse ownership averages between $1,000 to $8,000 depending on the type and purpose of the horse

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[6]. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the minimum annual cost of
care for a healthy horse is approximately $1,825 [7]. A single emergency veterinary bill can range
anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over $10,000. Due to these expenses incurred by the horse
owner, maintaining a horse’s health is imperative and as a result, there is a high demand for cost-effective
health care options for horses as well as other equine industries.

A comparable system to the HHM system is the Trackener. The Trackener system is affixed to either a
girth sleeve that straps under the horse’s chest, directly behind its forelegs, or to a horse bib that goes
across the front of the horse’s chest. The Trackener monitors the activity level and heart rate of the horse
and integrates the data collected into a mobile application for the user to view. This is the only data
available about the system currently, and it is set to launch sometime in 2017. The Trackener system lacks
the ability to monitor a horse’s body temperature, which is one of the most important indicators of a
horse’s overall health. In warmer months, the girth sleeve and bib placement could potentially cause the
horse to be hot and slightly uncomfortable. The HHM system would be placed on a less invasive strap to
go around the horse’s neck. Also unknown about this device is the cost and range [8].

Another similar system is called the Nightwatch. The Nightwatch advertises that it monitors heart rate,
respiratory rate, activity, motion, posture, and location. It is also set to be released sometime in 2017 and
has an introductory price listed at $499.99. However, this is not the only cost associated with the
Nightwatch. Due to the cellular and Wi-Fi technology it uses to transmit data, the user must also purchase
an annual monitor contract and license, which costs $329.99 a year. The HHM System would be around
half of this cost, although it will also utilize cellular interfacing. Also, the Nightwatch system only has the
capability to track a single horse at one time, whereas the HHM system would be able to track multiple
horses and send each horse’s data to the user’s cell phone [9].

1.3 Concise Problem Statement

Horse owners and veterinarians need an affordable, efficient, and safer system to monitor the key vitals of
a horse’s health so that they may respond quickly and appropriately to any signs of illness the horse may
exhibit. Not only is horse ownership costly financially, but any illness or death of a horse is emotionally
taxing on the horse owner due to the strong bond of companionship. Early detection of any signs of
ailment will help reduce both the financial and emotional costs of the owner.

The HHM system will provide accurate and timely measurement of a horse’s temperature. The normal
rectal temperature of a horse is 99.5◦F to 101.5◦F (37.5◦C to 38.6◦C). It will also measure a horse’s pulse
rate, which is normally 32 to 36 beats per minute for an adult horse. These data will be collected every 30
minutes or upon user command and transmitted via the Global System for Mobile communication
technology (GSM) to the user, for the horse owner or veterinarian to keep track of any changes. It will
also send an alarm to the user in the event the horse’s vitals are out of user-specified limits. The HHM
system will be placed on a strap that goes around a horse’s neck so that it will be non-invasive and
comfortable for the horse to wear. The mobile application will be able to sync to multiple devices. The
overall goal of the HHM system is to provide customers with a simple, efficient, and cost-effective
method to keep track of their horse’s health.

1.4 Implications of Success

If all goals are met, the HHM system will significantly improve the expediency of measuring a horse’s
vitals for horse owners and veterinarians and allow them to quickly view any fluctuations in a horse’s
health. Measuring rectal temperature will be an outdated practice and a relief for the person performing
the measurement. The system will also save the horse owner and/or veterinarian time to perform a pulse
rate measurement. Both of these automated processes will also reduce the risk of injury to the horse

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owner and veterinarian in the event a horse is not agreeable or not quite as tame as other horses.

Overall, the HHM system will improve the quality of health care for the horse by enabling quicker
response time of the horse owner. It will enable the owner to more efficiently track the horse’s health to
determine if a veterinarian is necessary or if veterinarian response is critical, which, in turn, will save the
owner on unnecessary expenses and potential heartbreak. The HHM system will take the worry from the
horse owner and allow them to simply enjoy the companionship of their equine counterpart.

2. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS/CONSTRAINTS

The HHM team aims to create a device that will measure a horse’s temperature and heart rate in order to
provide an early warning system that reports declining horse health to horse owners. The HHM device
must allow users to configure the reporting settings for the device as well as receive immediate
notifications if a horse’s health is in jeopardy. The intent in developing this system is to allow horse
owners to catch abnormal horse health as soon as possible so that they may treat a horse’s illness before
severe or fatal conditions arise. Precision is key regarding the measurement of a horse’s health as the
ranges for nominal and abnormal temperature and heart rate leave little room for error. Following this
paragraph are the constraints used to design the HHM device, divided into two subsections: technical
design constraints and practical design constraints.

2.1 Technical Design Constraints

The five technical constraints listed in Table 2.1 outline the necessary metrics the HHM team must meet
to establish an operational prototype.

Table 2.1 Technical Design Constraints

Constraint Description
Temperature Sensor The temperature sensor must measure the horse’s temperature within ± 1
Accuracy degree Fahrenheit of the rectal thermometer measurement between the range
of 90˚F and 110˚F.
Pulse Sensor Accuracy The pulse sensor must be able to measure the horse’s heart rate between the
range of 0 and 200 bpm.
Ingress Protection The device must adhere to Ingress Protection Rating IP56.
Battery Life The device battery must maintain device operation for a minimum of 12
hours.
User Notifications The device must update the user via text message at certain intervals based
upon user selection as well as alert the user to unusual horse health activity.

2.1.1. Temperature Sensor Accuracy

The HHM device will utilize a temperature sensor probe that must accurately retrieve the core
temperature of a horse via placement in the horse’s ear. Nominal horse core temperature during rest
ranges from 99.5˚F to 101.5˚F. A higher temperature above 102 ˚F is indicative of fever and can be
deadly if its temperature approaches 106 ˚F. Subnormal core temperatures (95.5-99 ˚F) can be caused by
hypothermia, blood loss, and anemia [10]. Due to these conditions, acquiring a horse’s temperature within
a degree of rectal temperature of the utmost importance and the temperature sensor probe must satisfy a
range of 90˚F to 110˚F to allow the user to continue to monitor the horse’s core temperature outside of
nominal ranges. Being able to retrieve a horse’s core temperature in these ranges with the accuracy

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described will allow a user to effectively monitor a horse’s health as well as quickly detect changes in
nominal core temperature, increasing a horse’s chance of recovery from illness.

2.1.2. Pulse Sensor Accuracy

A pulse sensor probe will be utilized by the HHM device to accurately retrieve the heart rate of a horse.
An adult horse’s nominal heart rate ranges between 28 and 40 bpm; however, illness, excitement or
strenuous exercise can raise a horse’s heart rate to as high as 200 bpm [11]. The HHM pulse sensor probe
must be able to measure a horse’s heart rate between the ranges of 0 and 200 bpm, allowing users to
acquire an accurate representation of their horse’s health and fitness.

2.1.3. Ingress Protection

The HHM device must be able to operate in the elements of an outdoor barn and range. The device,
including probes and wired connections, must meet Ingress Protection Rating IP56 to protect the device
from “limited dust and high pressure water jets from any direction” [12]. This standard of protection is
needed because outdoor barns are notoriously dusty, and if a horse is cleaned with hoses or jets, the
device will be able to withstand the ingress of water. These standards protect the device from barn
conditions as well as when the horse is free to roam.

2.1.4. Battery Life

The battery of the HHM device must sustain operations at a minimum of 12 hours with any device
reporting settings the user configures. The target audience consistently monitors the horses during
working hours but needs a device to monitor a horse’s health and fitness during hours when owners are
away from the barn and/or range. A 12-hour battery life would be able to cover evening and early
morning times when the horses are placed in the barn, resting and unmonitored.

2.1.5. User Notifications

The HHM device must update a user via text message. The user must be able to configure how often
notifications are received as well as receive notifications when a horse’s health is outside nominal resting
ranges. These notifications must include core temperature, resting heart rate, name and date. The ability to
communicate to the user with consistent notifications allows the user access to a historical log of the
horse’s vitality and helpful on-the-spot information.

2.2 Practical Design Constraints

The five practical constraints listed in Table 2.2 outline the needs the HHM team must meet to establish
an operational prototype.

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Table 2.2 Practical Design Constraints

Type Name Description

Health Safety The HHM system must not be hazardous or dangerous to

horses.
Economical Cost The system must be affordable for consumers (cannot
exceed $200) for consumers because horses are already
costly.
Durability Damage The system must be installed somewhere on the horse,
where it will not get damaged by the horse.
Ethical Reliability The system must provide accurate and timely information
to the user to aid in vital verification.
Manufacturability Size The system must be able to fit on various sizes of horses.

2.2.1 Health

The objective is to make this product as safe as possible while tending to a horse’s needs. Safety is one of
the main priorities of the HHM design because of how much some horses show discomfort to internal
invasion. The HHM system must not be hazardous or dangerous to all horses when measuring its
temperature and pulse. This system comes with an adjustable strap around the horse’s jowl for comfort
and is low powered so it will not overheat while it is attached.

2.2.2. Economical

The goal of this product is to ensure cost efficiency for the consumers. The product must remain at a
lower price than its competition because it is understood by most owners that horses are costly. Each
competitor’s health systems cost over $350 with additional fees that notify the user of the horse’s health.
The estimated cost of the HHM system will be $200 to compete with the other products that average
$400.

2.2.3. Durability

Most of the time, horses like to lay on their side so it is impossible to place a system on its belly or its
side. The HHM system must be placed somewhere the horse will not damage the product, resulting in
using an adjustable strap around their jowl so they cannot harm the system when they are ill or tired. The
strap allows the owner to place the device anywhere on the horse that will feel comfortable to the horse,
although the jowl is preferred and recommended. The goal is to make sure the device works at all times
no matter what the horse may do on its daily basis.

2.2.4. Ethical

The overall goal of the HHM system is to aid veterinarians and horse owners in quickly and efficiently
gathering accurate vitals data. In turn, this will aid in the purpose of saving the horse’s life by notifying
the owner of its health.

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2.2.5. Manufacturability

The HHM System must fit on all sizes of a horse from newborn to adult. The device must accommodate
all different body types of horses in one design. It is important that the horse will be monitored without
having the consumer buy another system strictly because it a size that does not fit.

3. APPROACH

The HHM system is a device that will monitor the temperature and pulse rate of a horse. The HHM
device will monitor for fluctuations in these vitals that could be indicative of the onset of illness. The
device will be battery-operated and portable and will send the vitals data to the user at regularly set
intervals via text message. Design constraints have been evaluated to establish a means for subsystem and
sensor selections as well as software usage, which are in the following sections.

3.1 System Overview

The HHM device will utilize several subsystems in order to dynamically track the horse’s health. The
microcontroller will gather the vitals data from the temperature and pulse sensors. It will then submit the
data to the GSM module to send to the user via text message. These devices will perform vitals analysis at
a user-specified time interval in order to conserve power usage. Figure 3.1 shows the overall functionality
of the subsystems that comprise the HHM system.

Figure 3.1.1 – HHM System Overview

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3.2 Hardware

The hardware subsystems that are essential to the HHM device are the temperature sensor, pulse sensor,
microcontroller, GSM module, and battery. These subsystems are discussed in further detail in the
following sections.

3.2.1 Temperature Sensor

The temperature sensor must be able to gather the horse’s core body temperature in rugged environments
and would possibly be exposed to excessive moisture. The sensor must be non-invasive to the horse and
have a range of at least 90˚F to 110˚F to accommodate the horse’s core temperature range of 99.5˚F to
101.5˚F. With these considerations, several temperature sensors were evaluated and are listed in Table
3.2.1.

Table 3.2.1 – DS18B20 Sensor Selection Evaluation

Model Style Supply Measurement Accuracy Cost
Voltage Range
SEN-12871 Analog Probe, N/A -40◦F to 257◦F 32◦F: ± 0.36◦F $28.95
Thermistor 212◦F: ± 0.9◦F
[13]

MLX90614 Non-Contact 2.6 to 3.6V -40◦F to 257◦F 32◦F to 122◦F: ± 0.9◦F $19.95
IR Sensor
[14]

DS18B20 Digital Probe 3.0 to 5.5V -67◦F to 257◦F 14◦F to 185◦F: ± 0.9◦F $9.95
-67◦F to 257◦F: ± 5.6◦F
[15]

Model SEN-12871 is a stainless steel temperature probe that uses thermistor technology. The thermistor
is a variable resistor that reduces in value as temperature is increased. An advantage of this sensor is that
is does not require any external power, since it is only interpreted as a resistance value. It is also more
accurate at the core body temperature range needed than the other sensors [13]. However, it is also the
most expensive of the top sensors evaluate. Although it is advertised as rugged construction and the probe
itself is waterproof, the handle and cabling is not waterproof. This could be problematic depending on the
horse’s environment and limits placement options.

The non-contact infrared (IR) sensor was also considered as a potential temperature sensor. This
technology would allow temperature measurement to be taken from a mounted device without actually
coming in contact with the horse. It would allow measurements to be taken from the HHM device
packaging and be able to connect directly to other circuitry in the device. There is a major disadvantage to
this feature, though. According to the manufacturer, it is imperative to ensure that there are no
temperature differences in the packaging of the sensor. It is highly susceptible to ambient interferences
such as heat from other electronics or an object close enough to the sensor to cause the sensing element to
heat or cool internally [14]. Given the rugged environment this sensor would be exposed to, the
implementation would not be feasible or reliable.

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The chosen temperature sensor for the HHM system is the DS18B20 digital probe. Although the accuracy
is not the most ideal, the biggest advantage of this sensor is that it is rugged and waterproof. It is also very
economical and efficient on power consumption which is discussed in Section 3 [15]. This sensor allows
for flexibility of placement on the horse which would allow the HHM system to select the optimal
location to measure the horse’s temperature in comparison to the rectal temperature. Also, this sensor
utilizes a 1-wire interface which reduces hardwiring needs.

Other styles of temperature sensors were also considered but were not practical for the HHM system
application. Thermocouples are used in several industrial applications and would have worked well for
the rugged design constraint, but they would not be ideal for response time and accuracy requirements.
Integrated circuit (IC) temperature sensors were also considered. These devices would be the most
accurate by far, but due to their susceptibility to they would be impractical as well.

3.2.2 Pulse Sensor

For pulse, the only two competitive styles of sensors are electrocardiogram (ECG) and IR technologies.
ECG sensors are very accurate and have a very low current draw (≈170µA) [16]. However, they are
impractical for use on a horse. First, the electronics incorporated in an ECG sensor are very sensitive and
subject to damage from electrostatic discharge. Second, an ECG sensor must be used with biomedical
sensor pads which are designed to adhere to a human’s skin. This would render an ECG sensor useless on
a horse’s fur.

The pulse sensor that will be used with the HHM system is the Pulse Sensor Amped IR sensor. It has a
higher than desired current draw at 4mA with a 5V source (will be less for a 3.3V source), but its
versatility is crucial. The sensor has a range of 0 to 200 bpm which satisfies the design constraint of 25 to
200 bpm. It also matches the voltage source specifications with an input range of 3V to 5V. This sensor
will allow for placement in multiple locations on the horse to ensure an accurate reading. It is not as
durable as necessary for the environment, but it can very easily be reinforced. It has a very simple analog
voltage interface which will make programming and interpreting measurements user-friendly [17].
Overall, with the extremely limited market for pulse sensors, the Pulse Sensor Amped is the best option
for the HHM system design.

3.2.3 Microcontroller

For the microcontroller selection, an Arduino option was desired due to a plethora of open-source code
for both the sensors as well as the GSM module. The Arduino Uno was a very cost-effective option for
the HHM system and satisfies the pin-out criteria to accommodate the system. The sensors and GSM
module will utilize a total of 1 analog input port and 4 digital I/O ports for logic programming. The
Arduino Uno provides 6 analog input ports and 14 digital I/O ports, which is more than sufficient. This
microcontroller allows for 5V or 3.3V operating voltage and uses 3.3V for its digital I/O pins [18].

3.2.4 GSM Module

Several wireless communication technologies were evaluated for the HHM system. Wireless internet was
explored as an option to transmit the sensor data to the user, but, considering the remote areas the HHM
system might be used in, wireless internet might not be available to the user. Bluetooth technology was
also considered. Although there are low power Bluetooth modules that can now transmit data a substantial
distance and are very cost-effective, this technology would still limit users to only getting data when they
are nearby. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a similar technology to Bluetooth, as far as its range
limitations, and it is also very expensive. The most viable option for the HHM system is a GSM module.
GSM is a cellular technology used to transmit mobile data to and from the user and the device. The

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following modules were evaluated as potential options for the HHM system.

The Arduino GSM Shield V2 was evaluated as a possible option. It has all the basic features needed for
the HHM system communication and also includes internet connectivity. There are several disadvantages
of this model though. It is only compatible with an Arduino microcontroller. Considering the Shield
retails at $71.50 per unit, the lack of compatibility options is undesirable. Also, it has a single operating
voltage of 5V and draws 700 – 1000 mA of current, which would conflict with the low power design
constraint goals as well as the operating voltages of other devices selected. Its rather large size of 4x3”
does not conform to the size constraint [19].

The selected GSM module for the HHM system is the Adafruit FONA MiniGSM SIM800H. Unlike the
Shield, the Adafruit module is compatible with multiple microcontrollers, allowing for flexibility in
programming and communications. Its operating voltage encompasses a range of 2.8 – 5V and only draws
500mA, which is much more compatible with the low power design constraint. The Adafruit module is
available in a much smaller size than the Shield at 1.8x1.3” and is also much more cost-effective at
$39.95 per unit [20].

3.2.5 Battery

In accordance with the HHM battery life constraint, the system must maintain a battery life of at least 12
hours. The user will select a timing interval of 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours to gather the horse vitals
data. The overall battery life will be dependent upon this timing interval. The HHM system will cycle
between an active mode and a standby mode. During the active mode, measurements are taken and the
data is transmitted to the user. Between these periods of active mode, the system will be in standby until
the interval timer initiates the active mode once again. Table 3.2.5 indicates the current consumption of
each device in the system in both active and standby modes at their respective rated voltages.

Table 3.2.5.a – Device Current Consumption

Device Model Active Current Standby Current

Microcontroller Arduino Uno 172 mA 50 mA

Temperature Sensor DS18B20 1 mA 750 nA

Pulse Sensor Pulse Sensor Amped 4 mA 0 mA

GSM Module SIM800H 500 mA* 2 mA

* The GSM Module has a current draw spike of 2A during data transmission.

Total battery life (in milliamp hours) for the HHM system, which accounts for the active and standby
modes, is calculated by the following equation:

𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒
𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
(𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 ∗ 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡) + (𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑏𝑦 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 ∗ 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑏𝑦 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡

The current draw spike of the GSM module causes a voltage drop in the system which could potentially
cause damage to the microcontroller and sensors. Therefore, a separate battery was selected to isolate the
GSM module power supply from the rest of the system. The LP-503562 battery was selected due to
manufacturer recommendations. It has a 1200mAh capacity and supplies a voltage of 3.7V [21].

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For the remaining system, the sensors will be powered through the microcontroller. The microcontroller
requires and external voltage supply of 7V – 12V. For battery selection, lithium-ion polymer was
preferred due to higher capacity, low discharge, low profile, and much safer than a lithium-ion battery,
which would need an external protection circuit [22]. Model B-25C-2200-3S1P was selected as the
battery choice which provides 11.1V and has a capacity of 2.2Ah [23]. Table 3.2.5.b shows the calculated
battery life based off user selection for various timing intervals for both the main system and the GSM
module. It is evident that both these batteries will satisfy the battery life constraint of at least 12 hours.

Table 3.2.5.b – Calculated Battery Life

Main System 30 Minutes 1 Hour 2 Hours

Main System 41.07 hrs 42.48 hrs 43.23 hrs

GSM Module 64.32 hrs 115.88 hrs 193.38 hrs

3.3 Software

The code operating on the Arduino Uno is responsible for accessing the multiple peripherals being
utilized in the HHM system. The Arduino Uno is programmed using C-code written specifically for the
operation of each peripheral in tandem.

HHM will operate in three different states: wake-up, polling and transmission. The state of the system is
dependent upon the selected update schedule from the user as well as any immediate update requests by
the user. Details of these different states are described in the following subsections.

3.3.1. Wake-Up State

The wake-up state will be the starting state for the HHM device upon powering on the device as well as
when the device has just woken from sleep. The flowchart for this state is illustrated in Figure 3.3.1.

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Figure 3.3.1 – Wake-Up State Flowchart

In the wake-up state, the Arduino Uno will consistently blink a “heartbeat” light emitting diode (LED) to
signify to the user that the device is active, check for any text messages from the GSM module, and then
proceed to change the interrupt timer interval based upon the text received. If no texts are available, the
device will operate on previously set device configurations and transition to the polling and transmission
states. After these two states have executed, the Arduino Uno will resume sleep until woken by the
interrupt timer.

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3.3.2. Polling State

The polling state, illustrated by a flowchart in Figure 3.3.2, is initiated by the Arduino Uno when
transitioning from the wake-up state.

Figure 3.3.2 – Polling State Flowchart

This state will supply power to both the temperature sensor and the pulse rate monitor, initialize and
configure the settings for each peripheral, and capture the digital information from each sensor. After
translating the digital information from each sensor into Fahrenheit and bpm calculations, results of the
polling state will be checked for abnormality. The results will then be packaged into a string message to
be sent over serial to the GSM module. In this state the heartbeat LED will blink rapidly.

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3.3.3. Transmission State

The transmission state occurs directly after the polling state, communicating to the user via the GSM
module. A flowchart detailing the operations of this state can be found in Figure 3.3.3.

Figure 3.3.3 – Transmission State Flowchart

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The GSM module will communicate with the microcontroller via serial and receive commands to begin
SMS communication with the user. The GSM module will receive a string message from the
microcontroller and text the user the string message containing the metrics of the horse’s health. The
format of the string message is as such:

(“From HHM System ID: %d, Horse Name: %s, Temperature: %d, Heartrate: %d. Next update in: %d
days %d hours %d minutes, systemIDNo, horseName, temperature, heartrate, days, hours, minutes)

After this transaction, the HHM device will return to sleep.

3.3.4. Usage Cases

A “sunny day” case for the HHM device details a successful day of operations without errors. This case
details a day in which the HHM device is able to quickly and accurately acquire the metrics of a horse and
communicate the information over GSM. Figure 3.3.4.a illustrates the “sunny day” case of operation.

Figure 3.3.4.a – Sunny Day Case

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A “rainy day” case for the HHM device is a day of operations when the GSM module cannot
communicate with the user via text. In this case, while the HHM device may be able to acquire the
temperature and heart rate of the horse, the GSM module will not have a cell connection and cannot send
the acquired data to the user. Figure 3.3.4.b illustrates the “rainy day” case of operation.

Figure 3.3.4.b – Rainy Day Case

4. EVALUATION

The following sections illustrate the testing done to evaluate the HHM System’s performance and
conformity to the design constraints. The subsystems were tested during the process of building the
system prototype to make sure the modules worked as planned. Table 4.1 outlines the technical
constraints required to be met by the system.

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Table 4.1 -- Technical Design Constraints

Constraint Description
Temperature Sensor The temperature sensor must measure the horse’s temperature within ± 1
Accuracy degree Fahrenheit of the rectal thermometer measurement between the range
of 90˚F and 110˚F.
Pulse Sensor Accuracy The pulse sensor must be able to measure the horse’s heart rate between the
range of 0 and 200 beats per minute (bpm).
Ingress Protection The device must adhere to Ingress Protection Rating IP56.
Battery Life The device battery must maintain device operation for a minimum of 12
hours.
User Notifications The device must update the user via text message at certain intervals based
upon user selection as well as alert the user to unusual horse health activity.

4.1. Test Certification – Temperature Sensor Accuracy

The HHM System’s temperature sensor must be able to measure between a range of 90˚F and 110˚F
within one degree Fahrenheit accuracy. The sensor was tested in cool temperatures shown in Figures 4.1.1
and 4.1.2 from the Simrall Hall water fountain on the campus of Mississippi State University.

Figure 4.1.1: Cool Temperature Readings

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Figure 4.1.2: Cool Temperature Readings

The sensor was also tested on human skin to see if the sensor would find a warm temperature value.
Figure 4.1.3 represents those temperature results, and Figure 4.1.4 gives a closer look at the temperature
readings.

Figure 4.1.3: Warm Temperature Readings

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Figure 4.1.4: Warm Temperature Readings

Once the device was tested on cool and warm environments, the sensor was tested on a horse a week
later. A bandage wrap was used to insulate the temperature probe while it was placed on the horse’s leg so
the outside temperature would not affect the readings. The temperature sensor readings were four degrees
away from the accuracy of the rectal temperature probe, which needs to be within one degree based on the
constraint. Figure 4.1.5 shows the probe placed on the horse’s leg, and Figure 4.1.6 gives a look at the
temperate readings given.

Figure 4.1.5: Horse Testing

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Figure 4.1.6: Horse Testing

A second visit to the ranch was conducted to test the sensor against the accuracy of a rectal thermometer,
which is shown in Figure 4.1.7. This visit was to ensure that the temperature probe was consistent in its
readings. After further testing, an offset was calculated to meet the ± 1 degree accuracy constraint due to
the horse’s thicker skin and hair. During these tests, rather than utilize a bandage wrap, a brace was used
to keep the temperature sensor in place.

Figure 4.1.7: Horse Testing

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4.2 Test Certification – Pulse Sensor Accuracy

The prototype will incorporate a heart rate sensor to measure the pulse, in beats per minute of the horse.
The pulse sensor must give an accurate heart rate between 0 - 200 bpm. The sensor will be placed on the
horse’s leg, where the pulse is easy to find, to generate a heartbeat measurement. During the test, the
sensor could not find a consistent reading because of its sensitivity. The pulse sensor was previously
tested on a team member’s finger and verified through the heart beat measurement of a blood pressure
monitor as shown in Figure 4.2.1 and a closer look in Figure 4.2.2.

Figure 4.2.1: Pulse Sensor Testing

Figure 4.2.2: Pulse Sensor Testing

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After the accuracy of the pulse sensor was verified, the HHM team visited the ranch to test the system on
the same horse. A horse’s pulse rate is between the range of 38 - 50 beats per minute, depending on the
size. Figure 4.2.3 illustrates a team member manually measuring the pulse rate while the pulse sensor is
also conducting readings on the horse.

Figure 4.2.3: Pulse Sensor Testing

4.3 Test Certification – Ingress Protection

The device must adhere to Ingress Protection Rating IP56. The protection states that water and dust must
not invade the system in any way possible. This will be tested closely once the prototype is completely
packaged. The only component that has been verified to pass this protection rating is the temperature
sensor.

4.4 Test Certification – Battery Life

The HHM system must be able to operate on battery power for a minimum of 12 hours. To test the
longevity of the device, the prototype current was monitored during the sleeping and operating states. At
the current state of the design, the system utilizes a B-25-2200-3S1P battery, and the GSM module

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utilizes a LP503562 battery. Separate batteries are being used for those two parts of the system due to the
current draw requirements of the GSM module. Figure 4.4.1 shows the current draw of the main system,
Figure 4.4.2 shows the current draw of the GSM module, and Figure 4.4.3 shows the results of the tests
conducted.

Figure 4.4.1 System Battery Tests Figure 4.4.2 GSM Battery Tests

Figure 4.4.3 Final Test Results

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4.5 Test Certification – User Notifications

The device must update the user via text message at certain intervals based upon the user’s discretion. The
user’s phone number and horse name must be programmed onto the device upon device initialization.
After the user programs his or her information onto the device, the prototype will message the individual
on the user’s defined time interval. Figure 4.5.1 represents how the text messages will be received. The
figure shows text message updates every eight seconds with temperature, heart rate, and the next update
countdown.

Figure 4.5.1 Text Messages from System Prototype

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5. SUMMARY AND FUTURE WORK

The Horse Health Monitoring System is a device intended to aid horse owners and veterinarians in
efficiently and accurately monitoring their horses’ key vitals: temperature and pulse. The HHM System
utilizes a pulse sensor and temperature sensor to gather these vitals and sends the information to the user
via a GSM module. The user is able to specify the desired interval which they would like to receive their
horse’s data.

The HHM team had to begin the design process by first researching equine health and becoming familiar
with equine anatomy in order to obtain adequate ideas of the system implementation. After research,
order, and assembly of parts required for the design, tests were conducted in both the lab and the field. All
components of the design worked seamlessly in the lab, however, the pulse sensor proved to be quite
problematic when tested on the horse. Due to the limited availability of pulse sensors on the market, the
team acquired permission to shave a small area of the horse to obtain a valid pulse measurement. This
remedied the issue and we were able to move forward with further prototype testing which proved
successful.

Although all design constraints were met, improvements are needed regarding battery capacity. This will
be accomplished by reconfiguring the pulse sensor power through transistors to enable ON/OFF
functionality since it is the main problem source for current consumption.

As the team advances to the Design II process, our focus will be on creating a more compact system and
incorporating it into gear that is readily accessible for multiple size horses. Our design will be
implemented into a dressage-style leg wrap. This design will provide accessibility to a key digital artery
that is an excellent source for pulse measurement as well as temperature. The leg wrap will provide
insulation from external interference and will be non-invasive and comfortable for the horse. It also will
not cause any unordinary hazards to the user since horses are accustomed to the gear and/or shoeing
already.

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The HHM team would like to thank and acknowledge Dr. Robert Reese for his guidance and feedback
throughout the design process as the team’s faculty advisor. We would also like to acknowledge Dr.
Lakeisha Williams and Miss Danielle Grimes for lending their equine experience and allowing us to
interact with their own horses throughout our testing phases.

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7. REFERENCES

[1] Kahn Academy. A Little Big History of Horses. [Online]. Available:

https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/big-history-project/expansion-
interconnection/other-materials8/a/a-little-big-history-of-horses

[2] Sushil Dulai Wenholz. (2000 January 1). 100 Years of Horse Health Care. [Online]. Available:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/10234/100-years-of-horse-health-care

[3] Pet MD. Colic in Horses. [Online]. Available:

http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/digestive/c_hr_equine_colic

[5] American Veterinary Medical Association. (2013, April 16). 2013 U.S. Veterinary Workforce Study:
Modeling Capacity Utilization. [Online]. Available:
https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reports/Documents/Veterinarian-Workforce-Final-Report-
LowRes.pdf

[6] Cost Helper. How Much Does a Horse Cost? [Online]. Available: http://pets.costhelper.com/pet-
horse.html

[7] Tom Lenz. (2008, July 29). Horse Health: The "Unwanted" Horse in the U.S. [Online]. Available:
http://www.aaep.org/info/horse-health?publication=942

[8] Trackener, Act Sooner. Trackener: Detect. Prevent. Learn. [Online]. Available:
http://www.trackener.com/index.html

[9]Nightwatch: Equine Distress & Wellness Monitor. You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers.
[Online]. Available: http://www.nightwatch24.com/faq/

[10] Brett D. Scott, Ph.D. and Mike Martin, DVM, Understanding Vital Life Signs in Horses [Online].
Available: http://texashelp.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/understanding-vital-life-signs-
in-horses.pdf [Accessed: February 1, 2017]

[11] DSMT.com, “IP Rating Chart | DSMT.com”, 2017. [Online]. Available:

http://www.dsmt.com/resources/ip-rating-chart/ [Accessed: February 1, 2017]

[12] searchmobilecomputing.com, “GSM (Global System for Mobile communication)”, 2007. [Online].
Available: http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/GSM [Accessed: February 1,
2017]

[13] Vernier, “Stainless Steel Temperature Probe,” TMP-BTA datasheet, [Revised Dec. 2012].

[14] Melexis, “MLX90614 family: Single and Dual Zone Infrared Thermometer in TO-39,” 3901090614
datasheet, Feb. 2007 [Revised May 2009].

[15] Dallas Semiconductor, “DS18B20: Programmable Resolution 1-Wire Digital Thermometer,” 050400
datasheet.

[16] Analog Devices, “Single-Lead, Heart Rate Monitor Front End,” AD8232 datasheet, [Revision A].

[17] Murphy, J. “Pulse Sensor Amplified,” schematic, Spring 2012. Access URL:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0100/6632/files/PulseSensorAmpd_-

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_Schematic.pdf?1862089645030619491

[18] Arduino. “Arduino UNO & Genuino UNO.” n.d. Access URL:
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardUno

[19] Arduino. “Arduino GSM Shield V2.” n.d. Access URL:

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoGSMShield

[20] SIMCom, “SIM800H_Hardware_Design,” SIM808_Hardware_Design_V1.00 Manual, Aug. 2013

[Revision 1.00].

[21] Hunan Sounddon New Energy Co. Ltd. “Product Specification Model: 503562 1200mAh.” Product
Specification Doc No. Q/WAPL503562-1011. [Revision 1].

[22] Battery University. “What’s the Best Battery?” March 2017. Access URL:
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/archive/whats_the_best_battery

[23] Gensace & Tattu Official Online Shop. "Gens ace 2200mAh 3S 11.1V 25C Lipo Battery Pack with
Deans plug." n.d. Access URL: http://www.genstattu.com/ga-b-25c-2200-3s1p-deans.html

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8. APPENDIX: PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

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