LABORATORY # 1 Bio-signals Exploration

You have been introduced to a range of statistical methods for analyzing random signals,
which can be used to extract valuable information. In this lab, you will have the opportunity
to measure three bio-signals from your own body and apply these statistical methods to
process them. We hope that you find this experience both informative and enjoyable.
To facilitate your exploration of these bio-signals, we will provide each lab group with a
circuit box containing a high-gain amplifier (x1000) and the necessary filters. You can use
this equipment to investigate your own bio-signals before learning about their nature and
origin, and designing any necessary circuits to measure them. By connecting bio-electrodes
and an optical bio-sensor to different sites on your body, you will observe interesting signals
(or noise) generated by your organs and tissues. You will need to record these signals, process
them, and interpret them to the best of your ability in the first homework/lab report. Please
note that the first homework and lab report are combined into one assignment. The detailed
procedures for lab 0 are outlined below. The lab report must be based on your own recorded
data.
Part 1: Signal or noise? – Bad interface/contact with body
- Setup digital Oscilloscope (DSO) to 10mS/div, 100mV/div, probe to x1 attenuation
- Hold the probe tip with left hand and ground wire with right hand as shown in Fig. 1a, note
the waveform on DSO. Is it a signal or noise? Why?
- Take a photo from the oscilloscope and explain what the signal is.
Fig 1a Direct Measurement on skin

Part 2: Improving the interface/contact

- It is true that there are bio-potential signals present all over the surface of the human body,
generated by various organs and tissues. However, it is important to note that obtaining
accurate and reliable measurements of these signals requires a good electrical interface
between the body and the external recording circuit.
- To learn how to improve the electrical contact, place two special bio-electrodes onto your
left and right wrist, respectively, as shown in Fig.1b. Connect the DSO probe tip to the left
wrist and ground to the right wrist. Do you notice that the noise will be smaller due to better
electrical interface/contact with body provided by the bio-electrodes? Do your best to explain
why bio-electrode improves the interface/contact between human and circuit. (NOTE: you
will learn how the bio-electrode works in Chapter two.)
- Change the time base to 500mS/div, do you see any sign of your bio-signal?
Fig1b Measure with electrodes

Part 3: Amplification and digitization of bio-signals

a. ECG
- To measure and record the voltage signal between your wrists, link the electrodes on your
wrists to the amplifier inputs of the circuit box. Then, place the third electrode on your right
leg and link it to the reference input of the circuit box, as shown in Fig. 2.
- To power up the circuit box, use a +12V and -12V power supply. Then, use a DSO to
monitor the amplifier output, as shown in Figure 3. Set the DSO to 500mS/div and
500mV/div. Next, look for the first bio-signal from your body, which will be the bio-voltage
between your wrists.
- To digitize and record the signal, connect output 1 of the circuit box to the LabJack U3-HV,
which is a USB-based measurement device, as shown in Figure 4. The LabJack supports both
analog and digital inputs, and more. It can bring physical data, such as the voltage between
your wrist, into a PC where it can be stored and processed as desired. Detailed instructions on
how to operate the LabJack are provided in the appendix of this lab instruction.
- Set the sampling frequency of LabJack to 100 Hz and record the voltage signals from each
of lab group members over one minute. Bring the signals back home for processing and
analysis. Do your best to explain the origin and waveform of the signals. Why is the signal
periodically?
b. EMG
- Another interesting signal that you will explore is the voltage from one of your major
muscles. We suggest conducting the measurement from your forearm. However, you are
encouraged to explore the signal from muscles at different body sites after finishing up the
measurement at the forearm.
- To measure the voltage signal from your forearm muscle, place a pair of bio-electrodes on
your forearm as shown in Fig. 5. Then, connect the electrodes to the circuit box and LabJack.
Finally, connect the electrode on your elbow to the reference input of the circuit box.
- Set sampling frequency at 500 Hz and record the signal when leaving your hand completely
relaxed and grasping fist tightly, respectively, over one minute. Note how signal changes as a
function of force to grasp fist. Are they periodic or random?
- Bring the recorded signals back home for further processing and analysis. Do your best to
explain the origin and waveform of the signal from muscle.
Fig 2 ECG measurement

Fig3 Equipment Setup

Fig 4 Labjack Fig 5 EMG electrodes placement
Part 4: Optical bio-sensing
- In addition to the electrical bio-signals, it is also possible to obtain important physiological
information by sending a beam of light into tissue and "reading out" the transmitted light.
- For the last experiment, we will provide you with a finger probe as shown in Fig. 6. The
probe has an LED light source on one side and a light detector (photodetector) on the other
side. When you clip the probe to one of your fingers, the light from the LED will penetrate
through the finger and the transmitted light will be recorded by the photodetector. The
transmission signal will provide important physiological information.
- To perform the experiment, put your finger in the probe and connect the output of the probe
to the input of the circuit box. Then, connect circuit output 2 to the DSO and observe the
signal of light transmission through your finger. The probe design will block most of the
external light, and the signal quality will depend on your finger thickness, location (blood
vessels distribution), and stability (motion artifacts), among other factors. Try different
fingers and move your arm up and down to see the effect on the output.
- Connect the output of circuit box to LabJack and set the sampling frequency to 100 Hz.
Record the optical signal from each of lab members over one minute. Bring the signals back
home for processing and analysis. Do your best to explain the nature and origin of the signal.
Why is the signal periodical?
Fig 6 Finger Probe