Freescale Semiconductor Application Note

AN1571 Rev 1, 05/2005

Digital Blood Pressure Meter

by: C.S. Chua and Siew Mun Hin, Sensor Application Engineering Singapore, A/P

INTRODUCTION
This application note describes a Digital Blood Pressure Meter concept which uses an integrated pressure sensor, analog signal-conditioning circuitry, microcontroller hardware/software and a liquid crystal display. The sensing system reads the cuff pressure (CP) and extracts the pulses for analysis and determination of systolic and diastolic pressure. This design uses a 50 kPa integrated pressure sensor (Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.P/N: MPXV5050GP) yielding a pressure range of 0 mm Hg to 300 mm Hg.

obtained by identifying the region where there is a rapid increase then decrease in the amplitude of the pulses respectively. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is located at the point of maximum oscillation.

HARDWARE DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

The cuff pressure is sensed by Freescale's integrated pressure X-ducer. The output of the sensor is split into two paths for two different purposes. One is used as the cuff pressure while the other is further processed by a circuit. Since MPXV5050GP is signal-conditioned by its internal opamp, the cuff pressure can be directly interfaced with an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for digitization. The other path will filter and amplify the raw CP signal to extract an amplified version of the CP oscillations, which are caused by the expansion of the subject's arm each time pressure in the arm increases during cardiac systole. The output of the sensor consists of two signals; the oscillation signal ( 1 Hz) riding on the CP signal ( 0.04 Hz). Hence, a 2-pole high pass filter is designed to block the CP signal before the amplification of the oscillation signal. If the CP signal is not properly attenuated, the baseline of the oscillation will not be constant and the amplitude of each oscillation will not have the same reference for comparison. Figure 1 shows the oscillation signal amplifier together with the filter.

CONCEPT OF OSCILLOMETRIC METHOD

This method is employed by the majority of automated noninvasive devices. A limb and its vasculature are compressed by an encircling, inflatable compression cuff. The blood pressure reading for systolic and diastolic blood pressure values are read at the parameter identification point. The simplified measurement principle of the oscillometric method is a measurement of the amplitude of pressure change in the cuff as the cuff is inflated from above the systolic pressure. The amplitude suddenly grows larger as the pulse breaks through the occlusion. This is very close to systolic pressure. As the cuff pressure is further reduced, the pulsation increase in amplitude, reaches a maximum and then diminishes rapidly. The index of diastolic pressure is taken where this rapid transition begins. Therefore, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are
+DC Offset

+5.0V R3 1M C2 Vi 0.33 U1a 1 LM324N 4 Vo 11 3 2 + 33u 1k

R2 R1 150k

Figure 1. Oscillation Signal Amplifier

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 2005. All rights reserved.

C1

The filter consists of two RC networks which determine two cut-off frequencies. These two poles are carefully chosen to ensure that the oscillation signal is not distorted or lost. The
f

two cut-off frequencies can be approximated by the following equations. Figure 2describes the frequency response of the filter. This plot does not include the gain of the amplifier.
2R1C1 1

P1 =

P2 =

2R3C2

10 0 -10 -20 Attenuation (dB) -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 -80 Oscillation Signal (1 Hz)

CP Signal (0.04 Hz)

0.01

0.1

1 Frequency (Hz)

10

100

Figure 2. Filter Frequency The oscillation signal varies from person to person. In general, it varies from less than 1 mm Hg to 3 mm Hg. From the transfer function of MPXV5050GP, this will translate to a voltage output of 12 mV to 36 mV signal. Since the filter gives an attenuation of 10 dB to the 1 Hz signal, the oscillation signal becomes 3.8 mV to 11.4 mV respectively. Experiments indicate that, the amplification factor of the amplifier is chosen to be 150 so that the amplified oscillation signal is within the output limit of the amplifier (5.0 mV to 3.5 V). Figure 3 shows the output from the pressure sensor and Figure 4 illustrates the extracted oscillation signal at the output of the amplifier.

AN1571 2 Sensors Freescale Semiconductor

3 2.5 2 Vi (Volts) 1.5 Oscillation signal is extracted here 1 0.5 0

10

15

20 Time (seconds)

25

30

35

40

Figure 3. CP Signal at the Output of the Pressure Sensor

3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5

MAP

SBP

DBP

Vo (Volts)

1 0.5 0 10 15 20 Time (seconds) 25 30 35

Figure 4. Extracted Oscillation Signal at the Output of Amplifier Referring to the schematic, Figure 5, the MPX5050GP pressure sensor is connected to PORT D bit 5 and the output of the amplifier is connected to PORT D bit 6 of the microcontroller. This port is an input to the on-chip 8-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The pressure sensor provides a signal output to the microprocessor of approximately 0.2 Vdc at 0 mm Hg to 4.7 Vdc at 375 mm Hg of applied pressure whereas the amplifier provides a signal from 0.005 V to 3.5 V. In order to maximize the resolution, separate voltage references should be provided for the A/D instead of using the 5 V supply. In this example, the input range of the A/D converter is set at approximately 0 Vdc to 3.8 Vdc. This compresses the range of the A/D converter around 0 mm Hg to 300 mm Hg to maximize the resolution; 0 to 255 counts is the range of the A/D converter. VRH and VRL are the reference voltage inputs to the A/D converter. The resolution is defined by the following: Count = [(VXdcr - VRL)/(VRH - VRL)] x 255 The count at 0 mm Hg = [(0.2 - 0)/(3.8 - 0)] x 255 14 The count at 300 mm Hg = [(3.8 - 0)/(3.8 - 0)] x 255 255 Therefore the resolution = 255 - 14 = 241 counts. This translates to a system that will resolve to 1.24 mm Hg. The voltage divider consisting of R5 and R6 is connected to the +5 volts powering the system. The output of the pressure sensor is ratiometric to the voltage applied to it. The pressure sensor and the voltage divider are connected to a common

AN1571 Sensors Freescale Semiconductor 3

supply; this yields a system that is ratiometric. By nature of this ratiometric system, variations in the voltage of the power supplied to the system will have no effect on the system accuracy. The liquid crystal display (LCD) is directly driven from I/O ports A, B, and C on the microcontroller. The operation of a LCD requires that the data and backplane (BP) pins must be driven by an alternating signal. This function is provided by a software routine that toggles the data and backplane at approximately a 30 Hz rate. Other than the LCD, there are two more I/O devices that are connected to the pulse length converter (PLM) of the microcontroller; a buzzer and a light emitting diode (LED). The buzzer, which connected to the PLMA, can produce two different frequencies; 122 Hz and 1.953 kHz tones. For

instance when the microcontroller encounters certain error due to improper inflation of cuff, a low frequency tone is alarm. In those instance when the measurement is successful, a high frequency pulsation tone will be heard. Hence, different musical tone can be produced to differential each condition. In addition, the LED is used to indicate the presence of a heart beat during the measurement. The microcontroller section of the system requires certain support hardware to allow it to function. The MC34064P-5 provides an undervoltage sense function which is used to reset the microprocessor at system power-up. The 4 MHz crystal provides the external portion of the oscillator function for clocking the microcontroller and provides a stable base for time based functions, for instance calculation of pulse rate.

AN1571 4 Sensors Freescale Semiconductor

C3

C5

GND 2 22p C8 C6 0.33u 100n +5.0 V 17 OSC2 VDD TCAP1 TCAP2 RD 50 22 23 +5.0 V /RESET /IRQ 4.7k + 36R 18 19 R5 OSC1 16 3 100u 22p

9.0 V Battery

C4

R8

LED

10k

R0

R3

1M

11

C1

R1

33u

1k

Sensors Freescale Semiconductor

R10 5.0 V Regulator MC78L05ACP +5.0 V R9 2 4.7k 3 Input Output 1 4MHz +5.0 V X1 10M +5.0 V 1 Reset Input MC34064 GND LCD5657 +5.0 V Buzzer 100R Pressure Sensor MPXV5050GP Vout GND R4 24k +5.0 V 1 10 37 36 35 R6 15k 34 7 6 5 G4 F4 A4 B4 C4 D4 E4 Vs 2 TCMP1 1 TCMP2 52 TDO 51 SCLK 16 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 DP1 G1 F1 4 A1 B1 C1 DP D1 3 E1 DP 2 +5.0 V 20 21 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 VRH PLMA VRL PLMB PA0 PC0 PA1 PC1 PC2/ECLK PA2 PA3 PC3 PA4 PC4 PA5 PC5 PA6 PC6 PA7 PC7 8 7 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 L L F G B C2 3 LM324N 2 330u C7 1 0.33u 14 13 12 11 9 5 4 3 PD0/AN0 PD1/AN1 PD2/AN2 PD3/AN3 PD4/AN4 PD5/AN5 PD6/AN6 PD7/AN7 PB0 PB1 PB2 PB3 PB4 PB5 PB6 PB7 MC68HC05B16CFN +5.0 V 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 12 27 26 25 24 15 14 13 DP2 G2 F2 DP E A2 D 1 B2 C2 C D2 E2 28 L 40 BP 1 BP 8 DP3 32 G3 31 F3 30 A3 A 29 B3 11 C3 10 D3 9 E3 R2 150k

Figure 5. Blood Pressure Meter Schematic Drawing

AN1571

SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION
Upon system power-up, the user needs to manually pump the cuff pressure to approximately 160 mm Hg or 30 mm Hg above the previous SBP. During the pumping of the inflation bulb, the microcontroller ignores the signal at the output of the

amplifier. When the subroutine TAKE senses a decrease in CP for a continuous duration of more than 0.75 seconds, the microcontroller will then assume that the user is no longer pumping the bulb and starts to analyze the oscillation signal. Figure 6 shows zoom-in view of a pulse.

450 ms VO (volt) 1.75

Premature Pulse -8.5 -8.3 -8.1 -7.9 -7.7 Time (second) -7.5 -7.3 -7.1

Figure 6. Zoom-In View of a Pulse First of all, the threshold level of a valid pulse is set to be 1.75 V to eliminate noise or spike. As soon as the amplitude of a pulse is identified, the microcontroller will ignore the signal for 450 ms to prevent any false identification due to the presence of premature pulse "overshoot" due to oscillation. Hence, this algorithm can only detect pulse rate which is less than 133 beats per minute. Next, the amplitudes of all the pulses detected are stored in the RAM for further analysis. If the microcontroller senses a non-typical oscillation envelope shape, an error message (Err) is output to the LCD. The user will have to exhaust all the pressure in the cuff before repumping the CP to the next higher value. The algorithm ensures that the user exhausts all the air present in the cuff before allowing any re-pumping. Otherwise, the venous blood trapped in the distal arm may affect the next measurement. Therefore, the user has to reduce the pressure in the cuff as soon as possible in order for the arm to recover. Figure 7 on the following page is a flowchart for the program that controls the system. microcontroller for this blood pressure meter design in this project. On-chip ROM space: 2 kilobytes On-chip RAM space: 150 bytes 2-channel A/D converter (min.) 16-bit free running counter timer LCD driver On-chip EEPROM space: 32 bytes Power saving Stop and Wait modes

CONCLUSION
This circuit design concept may be used to evaluate Freescale pressure sensors used in the digital blood pressure meter. This basic circuit may be easily modified to provide suitable output signal level. The software may also be easily modified to provide better analysis of the SBP and DBP of a person.

SELECTION OF MICROCONTROLLER
Although the microcontroller used in this project is MC68HC05B16, a smaller ROM version microcontroller can also be used. The list below shows the requirement of

REFERENCES
Lucas, Bill (1991). An Evaluation System for Direct Interface of the MPX5100 Pressure Sensor with a Microprocessor, Freescale Application Note AN1305.

AN1571 6 Sensors Freescale Semiconductor

Main Program

Initialization Clear I/O ports

Display "CAL" and output a musical tone

Clear all the variables

Take in the amplitude of all the oscillation signal when the user has stop pumping

Repump?

Calculate the SBP and DBP and also the pulse rate

Output a high frequency musical tone

Is there any error in the calculation or the amplitude envelope detected?

Display "Err"

Display pulse rate. Display "SYS" follow by SBP. Display "dlA" follow by DBP.

Output a low frequency alarm

Exhaust cuff before repump

Exhaust cuff before repump

Figure 7. Main Program Flowchart

AN1571 Sensors Freescale Semiconductor 7

How to Reach Us:

Home Page: www.freescale.com E-mail: support@freescale.com USA/Europe or Locations Not Listed: Freescale Semiconductor Technical Information Center, CH370 1300 N. Alma School Road Chandler, Arizona 85224 +1-800-521-6274 or +1-480-768-2130 support@freescale.com Europe, Middle East, and Africa: Freescale Halbleiter Deutschland GmbH Technical Information Center Schatzbogen 7 81829 Muenchen, Germany +44 1296 380 456 (English) +46 8 52200080 (English) +49 89 92103 559 (German) +33 1 69 35 48 48 (French) support@freescale.com Japan: Freescale Semiconductor Japan Ltd. Headquarters ARCO Tower 15F 1-8-1, Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064 Japan 0120 191014 or +81 3 5437 9125 support.japan@freescale.com Asia/Pacific: Freescale Semiconductor Hong Kong Ltd. Technical Information Center 2 Dai King Street Tai Po Industrial Estate Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong +800 2666 8080 support.asia@freescale.com For Literature Requests Only: Freescale Semiconductor Literature Distribution Center P.O. Box 5405 Denver, Colorado 80217 1-800-441-2447 or 303-675-2140 Fax: 303-675-2150 LDCForFreescaleSemiconductor@hibbertgroup.com
Information in this document is provided solely to enable system and software implementers to use Freescale Semiconductor products. There are no express or implied copyright licenses granted hereunder to design or fabricate any integrated circuits or integrated circuits based on the information in this document. Freescale Semiconductor reserves the right to make changes without further notice to any products herein. Freescale Semiconductor makes no warranty, representation or guarantee regarding the suitability of its products for any particular purpose, nor does Freescale Semiconductor assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit, and specifically disclaims any and all liability, including without limitation consequential or incidental damages. Typical parameters that may be provided in Freescale Semiconductor data sheets and/or specifications can and do vary in different applications and actual performance may vary over time. All operating parameters, including Typicals, must be validated for each customer application by customers technical experts. Freescale Semiconductor does not convey any license under its patent rights nor the rights of others. Freescale Semiconductor products are not designed, intended, or authorized for use as components in systems intended for surgical implant into the body, or other applications intended to support or sustain life, or for any other application in which the failure of the Freescale Semiconductor product could create a situation where personal injury or death may occur. Should Buyer purchase or use Freescale Semiconductor products for any such unintended or unauthorized application, Buyer shall indemnify and hold Freescale Semiconductor and its officers, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, and distributors harmless against all claims, costs, damages, and expenses, and reasonable attorney fees arising out of, directly or indirectly, any claim of personal injury or death associated with such unintended or unauthorized use, even if such claim alleges that Freescale Semiconductor was negligent regarding the design or manufacture of the part. Freescale and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 2005. All rights reserved.

AN1571 Rev. 1 05/2005