BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING WITH PASSIVE FILTERS 1

Biomedical Signal Processing using Passive Filters

Emily Jurek

UW – Milwaukee BME 320-802

9/29/21

Author Note

Lab worked on in congruence with Madison Bell

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Table of Contents

OBJECTIVE...................................................................................................................................................3

BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING USING PASSIVE FILTERS....................................................4

THEORY.........................................................................................................................................................4

METHOD.......................................................................................................................................................6

Results.....................................................................................................................................................8

TABLES

Table 1: Component Values....................................................................................................................6

Table 2: Input & output RMS values......................................................................................................8

Table 3: Experimental Gain & Theoretical Amplitude...........................................................................8

FIGURES

2D Circuit Design..................................................................................................................................6

3D Circuit Design...................................................................................................................................7

Graph of gain (Vo/Vs vs ).....................................................................................................................8

INTERFACING CIRCUIT FOR SENSORS/BIOPOTENTIAL ELECTRODES 3

Objective

Use a passive filter to process a biomedical signal. Build a low-pass filter circuit that has a cutoff

frequency of 200 Hz, an AC input of 3V at multiple frequencies, and a capacitance of F. Observe

impedance as frequency varies. Identify situations that a low-pass filter would be needed.

Keywords: Biomedical Signals, Low-Pass Filter, Alternating Current

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Biomedical Signal Processing using Passive Filters

An RC circuit that resists collection of high frequencies is a helpful tool in the diagnostic

industry. Noise from extracellular activity interferes with biomedical signals and can lead to

misdiagnosis. A passive low-pass filter is used to restrict high frequencies and promote a clearer

signal.

Theory

The impedance of a resistor is R, depicted in equation 1.

(1)

Z R=R

The impedance of a capacitor is the inverse of complex number jc shown in equation 2.

(2)

1
ZC =
jωc

The “j” term is an imaginary number represented by equation 3.

(3)

j=√ −1

The equivalent impedance of the circuit is found with simple summation because of the series

connection. This impedance is found to be equation 4.

(4)

Z eq=Z R + Z C

The combination of equations 1, 2, and 4 give an equation (5) relating the output voltage to the

components of the circuit. This equation is found using the voltage divider rule.

(5)
INTERFACING CIRCUIT FOR SENSORS/BIOPOTENTIAL ELECTRODES 5

( )
∗1
1 1
+R
V out =V ¿
( ZC
ZC + R)=V ¿
( )
1
jωc

jωc
+R
=V ¿
jωc
jωc

The gain of a circuit is the division of voltage out to in. The gain can also be named the transfer

function. It is derived from equation 5 with the help of equation 3 and mathematically formatted

in equation 6.

(6)

1
∗1
1
+R
V out jωc 1
= =
V¿ jωc 1+ jRωc

The j complex is removed by taking the magnitude of the transfer function and equation 6 is

rewritten as equation 7.

(7)

V out 12
| | = 2√
1
|Gain|= =
V¿ √1 + jRω c √ 1+( Rωc )2
2

The time constant is defined as Greek letter tau. The constant is equal to the product of resistance

and capacitance and is inversely related to frequency in equation 8.

(8)

1 1
ωc= = =2 π F c
τ RC

The cutoff frequency for a filter is defined as the inverse of the product of 2, pi, and tau. The

units are in Hertz in equation 9.

(9)

1
F C=
2 πRC
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Method

Figure 1 displays the goal circuit for a low pass passive filter.

Figure 1: Low Pass Passive Filter Diagram

The resistance is calculated with equation 7 and placed in table 1 alongside the capacitance. A

resistor that is close in Ohms to the theoretical resistance will be provided.

Table 1: Component values

Capacitance 0.33 Micro Farads

Theoretical 2411 Ohms
Resistance
Actual 2400 Ohms
Resistance

Positive channel 1 is connected to a function generator. This node is carried across the positive

and negative terminals to supply power to the prototype board. A. resistor is attached on the

same node and connects across the groove of the board. A wire attaches the end node of the

resistor and the beginning node of the capacitor to positive channel 0. The capacitor begins on

the end node of the resistor and is placed vertically on the board. Another wire transmits the

signal from the end of the capacitor to negative channel 0. The resistor and capacitor system is
INTERFACING CIRCUIT FOR SENSORS/BIOPOTENTIAL ELECTRODES 7

grounded with a wire from the end of the capacitor to ground. The final wire connects ground

and negative channel 1. The breadboard is turned on and the oscilloscope and function generator

are used to collect data. Figure 2 is the correct set up.

Figure 2: NI ELVIS II layout

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Results

Table 2: Input & output voltage experimentally obtained

 [Hz] 1 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
RMSs 1.09 1.06 1.053 1.048 1.045 1.044 1.043 1.042 1.041 1.04 1.04
1
RMSo 1.09 0.951 0.767 0.618 0.511 0.434 0.377 0.333 0.298 0.26 0.246
9

Table 3: Increase in signal strength (calculated with table 2 & equation 7)

 [Hz] 1 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Experimental 1 0.897 0.72 0.59 0.489 0.416 0.36 0.32 0.286 0.25 0.237
Gain 8 1 8
Theoretical 1.3 1.3 0.63 0.42 0.32 0.25 0.21 0.18 0.16 0.14 0.13
Amplitude

Frequency
1.2

0.8 0.73
Gain

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
1 10 100 1000

Frequency [Hz] (logarithmic scale)

Figure 3: Magnitude of transfer function as it is related to frequency

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Discussion Data for frequency in figure 3 is plotted logarithmically to gain a better

understanding of the circuit. The gain is close to 1 at low frequencies because

The corner frequencies are determined by resistance and capacitance values. The relationship

between circuit component values and the cutoff frequency is defined in equation 9. A large

resistance or capacitance value would decrease the cutoff frequency. A miniscule resistance or

capacitance would allow for greater frequency signals to pass.

Conclusion

The circuit built has the ability to reduce visualization of higher frequency signals. The low-pass

filter works by attenuating signals above the cutoff frequency. Equation 9 helps determine the

values of the circuit components based on a chosen cutoff frequency.

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Footnotes
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Tables

Table 1

[Table Title]

Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789

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Figures
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