A Micropower Electrocardiogram Amplifier

Author

Fay, L. ; Misra, V. ; Sarpeshkar, R.

Author_Institution

SRI Int., Menlo Park, CA, USA

Volume

3

Issue

5

fYear

2009

Firstpage

312

Lastpage

320

Abstract

We introduce an electrocardiogram (EKG) preamplifier with a power consumption of 2.8 muW, 8.1 muV_rms input-referred noise, and a common-mode rejection ratio of 90 dB. Compared to previously reported work, this amplifier represents a significant reduction in power with little compromise in signal quality. The improvement in performance may be attributed to many optimizations throughout the design including the use of subthreshold transistor operation to improve noise efficiency, gain-setting capacitors versus resistors, half-rail operation wherever possible, optimal power allocations among amplifier blocks, and the sizing of devices to improve matching and reduce noise. We envision that the micropower amplifier can be used as part of a wireless EKG monitoring system powered by rectified radio-frequency energy or other forms of energy harvesting like body vibration and body heat.

Keywords

biomechanics; biothermics; electrocardiography; energy harvesting; preamplifiers; EKG preamplifier; body heat; body vibration; energy harvesting; gain-setting capacitors; half-rail operation; micropower electrocardiogram amplifier; optimal power allocations; subthreshold transistor operation; Capacitors; Design optimization; Energy consumption; Noise reduction; Operational amplifiers; Power amplifiers; Preamplifiers; Radiofrequency amplifiers; Resistors; Signal to noise ratio; Common-mode feedback (CMFB); electrocardiogram (EKG); electrocardiograph (ECG); low noise; low power;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Biomedical Circuits and Systems, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1932-4545

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TBCAS.2009.2026483

Filename

5223584