Colleen Gallagher

EECE 2160
Professor Mark Niedre

Lab #6: ECG Circuit 1 The Instrumentation Amplifier

Intro/Objectives:
In this lab, the goal is to experiment with instrumentation amplifiers in order to
amplify bio-potentials related to ECG signals, therefore taking us a step closer to creating
a fully functional ECG system. Instrumentation amplifiers reject common-mode signals
and provide a stable gain with high-impedance input over a range of frequencies to allow
bio-potentials to be amplified. Because we need to electrically isolate the circuit from the
AC power for a safer connection when using the electrodes to measure heartbeat, we will
use two 9V batteries. As well as expanding on previous concepts, we will be performing
the analog-to-digital conversion of the ECG signal generated in lab 7. Using the AD627,
we will analyze output ECG signals and find ways to eliminate noise for a better circuit
implementation. This overall process allows us to further understand instrumentation
amplifiers and their application in measuring ECG signals.

Results/Analysis:
Part 1:
1.2) I think the capacitors are used for preventing any extra current from generating
unwanted noise that would interfere with the output reading of the circuit.
1.3) According to the spec sheet, we should use an Rg value of about 10 k.
200 k
gain=
+5=25
10 k
1.4)
Part 2:
2.2) In order to create a voltage divider circuit to produce a 10 mV sine wave (peak to
peak), we need to use a function generator output of 20 mV (peak to peak) with R3 and R4
values of 1 k.
1k
20 mV
=10 mV
1 k +1 k

2.3) Given our discussions in class, the appropriate value for the sine wave frequency that
is in the middle of the expected frequency range of an ECG signal would be 10,000 Hz.
2.5) The output measured on the oscilloscope was 260 mV (center to peak).
2.6) The gain (Gd) of the amplifier based on our measurements was about 27.
260 mV
Gd=
=27.3
9.5 mV
2.7) To find the cutoff frequency, we multiplied 0.707 by the calculated gain of 27.3 to
find the corresponding gain of 19.3011. The next step is to adjust the frequency of the
input signal until the gain matches this value by looking at the oscilloscope, which was
about 12 kHz. At this frequency, the input was 5 mV and the output was 100 mV, which
yields a gain of around 20.
2.8) After connecting the signal generator to both inputs at the same time and changing
the input signal to be 250 mV at 60 Hz, we measured the output signal to be 10 mV (peak
to peak). We noted that at 60 Hz, there is barely any output, if any, and it seemed to
mostly be noise. Using these values, we calculated the common mode gain (Gc) to be
about 0.04.
10 mV
Gc=
=0.04
250 mV
2.9) According to the spec sheet, the CMRR should be between the range of 77-90 dB.
Upon calculating our CMRR value, we got:
27.3
CMRR=20 log
=56.68
0.04

( )

Although this value does not fall in between the range outlined by the spec sheet, this
value is close enough for the goals of this lab.
Part 3:
It is important to keep your muscles still when acquiring data from the ECG
system because the amplifier is finding the difference between the signal acquired by the
electrodes. When muscles are moved, they create their own electrical signal which would
interfere with the reading of the ECG signals and cause an undesirable output. Using our
original Rg value, we received an okay ECG signal on the oscilloscope. As shown below
in the first picture, it is hard to see but in fact there. Upon decreasing the Rg value to 1

k, we were able to increase the gain of the circuit and therefore have a clearer view of
the output ECG signals. This can be seen in the second picture below.

Rg = 10 k

Rg = 1 k

Conclusion:
From this lab, I gained a better understanding of instrumentation amplifiers,
specifically the AD627, as well as adjusting the implemented circuit to generate a better
output on the oscilloscope. We learned that perfect results are not always the most
realistic, but we managed to generate a relatively readable signal based on the skills
weve acquired over the course of this class. This lab was a big step towards creating a
fully functional ECG system and incorporated many of the concepts taught previously. It
was essentially was the result of numerous building blocks. There werent many key
lessons learned, but rather more so the application of other key lessons as well as learning
how to debug the circuit to produce a better, more readable signal.