The document summarizes a final year project on developing a body sensor network. Key points: - The project involved designing temperature and pulse rate sensor nodes, a central control unit (CCU), and software to transmit vital sign data wirelessly from the sensors to the CCU and display on a computer. - The hardware designs for the sensor nodes, CCU, and loop antennas are described. Software was developed for firmware, communication protocols, and a GUI interface. - Testing showed the sensors could successfully transmit data to the CCU within a range of 1-2 meters using a low power wireless transmission mode, with battery life of 4-14 hours depending on the sensor node. - The project

1. The University of Newcastle
Final Year Project
Body Sensor Network
Sensor node
electronics
CCU
CCU
box
Report
Data trans. via internet
Data trans. via wireless standarts
Medical Environment
Long distance information transmission
ISM/GSM
links
Web-based
Internet trans.

2. Acknowledgement
• NEWCASTLE SUPERVISOR: DR. MEHMET R. YUCE
• PSB SUPERVISOR: MR LEE CHIN KANG
We would like to take this opportunity to express our
gratitude to many individuals who have given us a lot
of support for this project.

3. Agenda
• Project Objectives
• Project Outcome
• Development of Temperature Sensor Node
• Development of Pulse Rate Sensor Node
• Development of Central Control Unit (CCU)
• Loop Antenna Design and Results
• Firmware Design
• Software Design
• Conclusion
• Future Development

4. Project Objectives
• To research, design and develop a BSN
that comprises of several sensor nodes to
monitor the vital signs of human and
transmit wirelessly to the CCU for data
display and storage.
– Wireless Transmission of data via the MICS band for a
range of 1~2 meters.
– Battery operated, power efficient and light-weight.
– Sensor nodes to extract accurate information from
human body.
– User Graphic Interface (GUI) to create database,
display and store results.

5. Project Outcomes
• Hardware
 Temperature Sensor Node, Pulse Rate Sensor Node
and CCU are designed and fabricated on Printed
Circuit Boards (PCB).
 Wireless Transmission of data via 402MHz (MICS
band) with a range of 1~2 m with low power
transmission mode.
 Battery operated using 2 coin batteries and
maximum operating hours for worst case mode is
4.5 hours.
 Light-weight BSN with maximum 40 grams including

6. Project Outcomes
• Software
 GUI successfully created and able to display real-
time data and store data in a database.
 Firmware completed for Temperature Sensor
Node, Pulse Rate Sensor Node and CCU
• Technical Paper
 A paper was prepared for submission for
ICC 2007, Smart Technologies for Tomorrow
under Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Network.

7. Development of Temperature
Sensor Node
• Building Block of Temperature Sensor Node
Temp
Sensor
ADC PIC16F877
Microcontroller
3 to 5 V
Level shifter
AMIS
Transceiver

8. Development of Temperature
Sensor Node
• Temperature Sensor
(Prototype 1)
• Temperature Sensor
(Final)

9. PCB Design of Sensor Nodes
MCU and Level
Shifter
Power
Management
Antenna
Transceiver and
matching cct.
Connector to
Sensor

10. Temperature Sensor Node

11. Battery Lifespan Calculation
(Live-Monitoring Mode)
• 5V Device
~ PIC16F877 (MCU) 15mA
~ SN74LVC4245A
(Level Shifter) 1.5mA
~ LM35DZ
(Temperature Sensor) 60uA
Total: 17mA
• 3.3V Device
~ AMIS-52100
(Transceiver) 25mA
~ SN74LVC4245A
(Level Shifter) 1.5mA
Total: 26.5mA
Total maximum current consumption of Temperature Sensor Node: 43.5mA
Battery rating: 560mAH
Therefore, the battery can last,
560/43.5 = 12.9 hours for Live-Monitoring Mode

12. Development of Pulse Rate
Sensor Node
• Building Block of Pulse Rate Sensor
Pulse
Rate
Sensor
LNA Filter ADC PIC16F877
Microcontroller
3 to 5 V
Level shifter
AMIS
Transceiver

13. Development of Pulse Rate
Sensor Node
• Pulse Rate Sensor
(Prototype 1)
• Pulse Rate Sensor
(Final)

14. Development of Pulse Rate
Sensor Node
• Pulses captured at the pulse detector
stage.

15. Development of Pulse Rate
Sensor Node
• Op-Amp stage
(Simulation)
• Op-Amp stage
(Actual)

16. Pulse Rate Sensor Node

17. Battery Lifespan Calculation
(Live-Monitoring Mode)
• 5V Device
~ PIC16F877 (MCU) 15mA
~ SN74LVC4245A
(Level Shifter) 1.5mA
~ LM358 (Op-amp) 1.2mA
~ SFH487
(Infrared Emitter) 80mA
~ SFH309FA
(Phototransistor) 1.5mA
Total: 99.2mA
• 3.3V Device
~ AMIS-52100
(Transceiver) 25mA
~ SN74LVC4245A
(Level Shifter) 1.5mA
Total: 26.5mA
Total maximum current consumption of Pulse Rate Sensor Node: 126mA
Battery rating: 560mAH
Therefore, the battery can last,
560/126 = 4.44 hours for Live-Monitoring Mode

18. Development of CCU
• Building Block of CCU
AMIS
Transceiver
PIC16F877
Microcontroller
3 to 5 V
Level shifter
Rs232
Level shifter

19. PCB Design for CCU
Antenna
Power
Management
MCU and Level
Shifter
RS232 Cct

20. CCU

21. Battery Lifespan Calculation
(Live-Monitoring Mode)
• 5V Device
~ PIC16F877 (MCU) 15mA
~ SN74LVC4245A
(Level Shifter) 1.5mA
~ DG9415DQ
(Selector) 2uA
~ MAX232AESE 10mA
Total: 27mA
• 3.3V Device
~ AMIS-52100
(Transceiver) 10mA
~ SN74LVC4245A
(Level Shifter) 1.5mA
Total:
11.5mA
Total maximum current consumption of CCU: 38.5mA
Battery rating: 560mAH
Therefore, the battery can last,
560/38.5 = 14.55 hours for Live-Monitoring Mode

22. BSN Total Costing
• Temperature Sensor Node: USD57.05
• Pulse Rate Sensor Node: USD58.95
• CCU: USD61.19
• Accessories: USD10
Total: USD187.19

23. Loop Antenna Design and
Results
• Loop Antenna design was reference from AN868
from Microchip, Designing Loop Antenna.
• Some formulas used were entered into an excel
sheet for easy calculation.

24. Loop Antenna Design and
Results
• Sensor Node Loop Antenna Design
C28 tunes the input impedance of the Loop Antenna while C29
and C30 tunes the resonant frequency of the Loop Antenna.

25. Loop Antenna Design and
Results
• Sensor Antenna S11

26. Loop Antenna Design and
Results
• CCU Loop Antenna Design

27. Loop Antenna Design and
Results
• CCU Antenna S11

28. Loop Antenna Design and
Results
• Gain Measurement of Loop Antenna was
reference to Free Space Path Loss
Formulae.
Pr = Received Power (dBm)
Pt = Transmit Power (dBm)
Gt = Transmitter Gain (dB)
Gr = Receiver Gain (dB)
λ = wavelength (m)
R = Range (m)
Π = 3.142

29. Loop Antenna Design and
Results
CCU Antenna Gain Measurement

30. Loop Antenna Design and
Results
Sensor Antenna Gain Measurement

31. Transmit Power Vs Range
Transmit Power Vs Range
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
-24.000 -23.000 -22.000 -21.000 -20.000 -19.000 -18.000 -17.000 -16.000
Transmit Power (dBm)
Range(m)

32. Data Format
• Different types of data are using for Sensor nodes, CCU and GUI
• To provide more reliable and error free wireless system
Data Conversion Conversion Methods
8 bit integer to character fputc( )
Character to Float float_variable = (((float)char_variable));
String to double (for Visual C++) Double::TryParse(string, double_variable)
Double to Integer (nearest estimation) integer_variable=double_variable
8 bit
Integer
Character Float String Double Integer
8 bit
Integer
8 bit
Integer
Data
Addres
s
Sensor Node CCU CCU PC PC PC
8 bit
Integer
Purpose To Store
ADC value
To receive
8 bit data
To Calculate
Temperature
To Calculate
Temperature
To Display
In text box
To Store
Data
To Display
Graph
Firmware Design

33. C Program Script file
CCS C compiler
MPLAB IDE V7.31
ICD2 Programmer
Firmware Design, Development and
Implementation
• High-level C programming Language is used
• CCS C compiler is used for compiling
• MPLAB IDE V7.31 is used as emulator
• ICD2 Programmer is used for program downloading

34. Central Control Unit (CCU)
Firmware Architecture
• Communication with PC using RS232
• Communication with AMIC transceiver using I2C
• Data Multiplexing between PC and Sensor nodes using selector IC
• Error free Address and Data Polling from sensor nodes
• Calculation for Actual Temperature using conversion factor
• Timing controlling during data and address polling for different sensors
Selector
IC
AMIS5210
RX/TX
74LVC4245
3V/0V
PIC16F87
7
MAX232
5V/ 0V
RX/TX
-8V/+8V
RX/TX
5V/ 0V

35. • Two way serial link and one way wireless link
• RS232 is communication media for serial link
• RF media is for wireless link
Baud Rate 9600
Number of bits 8
SPRG Value (Decimal) 31
SPRGH Value 0
Fosc
20 MHz
Percent Error (%) 1.73
Parity N
Transmit PIN ( PIC16F877) C6
Receive PIN ( PIC16F877) C7
Operating Frequency 403.5 MHz
TX output power +12dbm
RX sensitivity -117dbm (min)
Data rate 1 to 8 Kbps
Fosc
20 MHz
Modulation ASK/OOK
Crystal Start time 15 us
PLL lock time <50us
Data Filter Up to 20 kHz
RS 232 Serial link RF link
Communication Scheme

36. Communication Protocol Architecture
PC CCU
Temperature
Sensor node
Pulse Rate
Sensor node
Send a Character
Send Address
Send Data
Send Address
Send Data
Send Address
Send Address
Send Data
Send Data
Send Data
Send Data

37. CCU
Temperature
Sensor node
Pulse Rate
Sensor node
1 or 2 or 3 or 4
Start Start Start
Rcv num
1 or 2 or 3 or 4
Idle
1 or 2
Chk num
Send Add
Send Data
Rcv Add
Rcv Data
Valid Add
3 or 4
Rcv Add
Rcv Data
Valid Add
Send Data
PC
Start
Chk button
Send num
Rcv Data
Send Data
Idle
Send Data
Send Add
State Diagram and Logic Connection

38. Time
Temperature
Sensor Add Data
Pulse Rate
Sensor Add Data Add Data
1000 200 300 400 500 Time (ms)
Add Data Add Data
RF Link Package Format
• 8 bits of address followed by data is transmitted
• Different addresses (ID) are used for sensor nodes

39. Firmware interface for Sensor Node
(ADC Portion)
• PIC microcontroller built in ADC module is used
• Temperature sensor is operating in 8 bits mode
• Pulse rate sensor is operating in 10 bits mode
• A/D clock 625 kHz is used by setting divisor to 32
• A/D Resolution for Temperature Sensor
• A/D Resolution for Pulse rate Sensor
11

40. Calculation for Actual Temperature using
conversion factor
• Temperature calculation is done at Central Control Unit
• LM35DZ is giving an output of 10 mV per Degree Centigrade
• 8 bit ADC Is using and 10mV is corresponds to 1°C
• Temperature calculation and data conversion to float in C program

41. Software Design
Software Architecture and Implementation
• Data entry for patient particulars
• Graphical User Interface interaction
• Data acquisition from sensor nodes
• Data storage for partient particular, diagnosis and medical information
• Real time data display
Application Software
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express edition
• Installer 1.0.5
• Microsoft Platform SDK (Visual C++ 2005 Express edition)
• Microsoft .net frame work
Required Platforms

42. Graphical User Interface Interaction

43. Data entry for patient particulars
Data Acquisition
• Initiated by GUI ( presssing Get Display button)
• Event handler program execute
• Initialized serial communication (RS232 link)

44. Data Storage
• Doctor incharge Patient’s particular,
Diagnosis and Medical information can be
stored
• All data are stored in text file (small in size)
• Auto file naming system
**********************************************
** THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE **
** Final Year Project **
** Body Sensor Network **
** Remote Health Monitoring System **
**********************************************
Date & Time: 08/12/2006 4:00:09 AM
----------------------------------------------
Patient's Particular
----------------------------------------------
Patient Name: Myo Naung Lwin
ID/Passport Number: S7779190F
Age: 29
Sex: Male
Height: 1.8m
Weight: 70kg
Diagnosis: Project Headache!!
----------------------------------------------
Patient's Medical Information
----------------------------------------------
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Body Temperature: 35.36
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
Pulse Rate:66
patient’ s name and date of data saving)
• Real time temperature can be stored
• Real time pulse rate can be stored
• Data storage is done at PC
( file name is generated according to

45. Data Display
• Professional quality graph display
• Scaling has been done to suit for human body temperature and pulse rate

46. Conclusion
There has been increased interest in wireless recording and
monitoring real-time physiologic parameters (e.g. ECG, EEG, EOG,
EMG, Neural, Blood Flow, Blood Pressure etc.) from a patient body
in medical environments among researchers in the last decades
medical environments among researchers in the last decades.
With the advanced wireless technology, the healthcare can now be
wireless.
This project gives us a great experience in this up-coming trend and
put us in an advantage of becoming the frontier in this new
technology.
Unlimited experiences were gain throughout the project
development.
New skills such as PIC programming, loop antenna design, multi-
layer PCB design, Visual C++ and many more were picked up during
the project.

47. Conclusion
We learned that Project Management is a key element to determine
the success of a project.
With the experience gain in this project, we are confident that we can
overcome any work-related problems in the future and solve them
systematically.

48. Future Development
There are other Human Vitals Signs such as Blood Pressure, Oxygen
saturation, etc to be explored and research to incorporate into the Body
Sensor Network Project.
The 2nd
RF link from CCU to Nurse Station or Data collection center can
be implemented into the BSN.
The Sensor nodes and CCU PCB size can be reduced further to make the
product more commercialized.
The current microcontroller size is too big. Consider a small size MCU and
the overall size of both the Sensor Nodes and CCU will reduce greatly.
Change the microcontroller to a 3V microcontroller. This will save up a
level shifter IC and a 5V regulator. Make the entire circuit run in 3V and
therefore a single 3V power will be sufficient.
Design the Sensor Nodes to send data at intervals so as to save on power
consumption of the battery.