Synthetic ECG and PPG signal generation using pulse shaping technique

This paper presents the generation of synthetic Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals using electronic circuits which can be used for testing, calibration and maintenance of ECG machines and pulse oximeters and for the study of those biomedical signals. ECG and PPG signals were generated for different heart rate, varying from 50 to 150 beats per minute, using a potentiometer connected to the analog input port of the microcontroller. Individual components for both the ECG and PPG signals were generated using pulse shaping techniques and were added together to form the complete signal. The different pulse wave components were generated using an astable multivibrator and microcontroller for ECG and PPG respectively. These components were further shaped using low pass filters. The amplitude of P, QRS and T wave of ECG and shape of dicrotic notch in PPG can be changed by varying the potentiometer.