PART I: HUMAN BODY MONITORING
1
INTERFACING BIOLOGY AND CIRCUITS: QUANTIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE METRICS
1.1 INTRODUCTION
A key aim of bioelectronics is to provide an interface between the biological world (blood pressure, electrocardiogram [ECG], and the like) and the electronics world (analog and digital hardware, software, and the like). This interface allows the characterization and quantification of the biological world, which can be used to gain further understanding of the fundamental biological processes being monitored. Alternatively, long-term monitoring of physiological parameters can lead to new and more effective diagnostic and treatment methods for particular medical conditions.
A typical interface between the biological and electronic worlds is shown in Figure 1.1. Here a suitable sensor or electrode is used to detect a biological parameter, and the resulting signal is then amplified and converted into the digital domain. Once this has been done, the signal can be transferred to a computer for long-term storage and processing. Depending on the application requirements, the data may be transfered over cables or via a wireless link.
Figure 1.1. A typical interface system between the biological world and the electronic world. Physiological parameters are sensed, amplified, and converted to digital signals, which can be stored and processed on a computer. Online signal processing, implemented in either the analog or digital ...
