Reference design covers wearable heart-rate and pulse-oximetry apps

This optical heart-rate module reference design incorporates red and infrared LEDs, a sensor, power subsystem, and logic level translation. Measuring 13mm x 13mm, this tiny, low-power board can be placed on a finger or earlobe to accurately detect heart rate and SpO2 via personal wearable devices. The module works with both Arduino and ARM mbed platforms for ease of design, testing, and system integration, and includes eight “tap pads” for quick electrical connection to a development platform and/or wearable garment.

Maxim, already a leader in bio-sensing applications with more than 200 million units shipped, now provides this simple platform to enable all developers. The reference design includes three Maxim chips: a pulse oximeter and heart-rate sensor (MAX30102); an efficient, low-power step-down converter (MAX1921); and an accurate level translator (MAX14595). The design requires only a single 2 V to 5.5 V supply and typically dissipates less than 5.5mW when using the included firmware.

The MAXREFDES117# reference design is available for $20 at Maxim’s website. Hardware and firmware design files, as well as test data, are provided free and available online.