A precision ECG signal generator providing full Lead II QRS amplitude variability and an accurate timing profile.
This paper reports the design and development of a precision ECG signal generator intended for use in test and calibration of electrocardiographic equipment, ECG signal processing systems and as a cardiac teaching tool. It generates a Lead II signal which maintains the timing and profile characteristics of a Lead II electrocardiograph signal across a range of heart rates between 45 and 185 bpm in 1 bpm steps. The QRS amplitude can be adjusted in 1 microV increments from 100 microV to 10 mV. The up-slope of the QRS can be set between 15 ms and 45 ms with 1 ms resolution. The P and T wave amplitudes can be adjusted as a 1-100% scaling of the QRS complex amplitude with a 1% resolution. A color LCD with touch screen capability provides the user with facilities for inputting parameters, viewing the output wave parameters and a graphical representation of the resulting output waveform. The signal generator outputs a precision differential signal via a digital to analogue stage which has been designed using low noise techniques to produce accurate signals at the lower end of the QRS amplitude range.
Shorten
Gavin P
GP
Dept. of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland. shorteg@tcd.ie
Burke
Martin J
MJ
D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003201:Computers; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006321:Heart; D006329:Heart Conduction System; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D011381:Programming Languages; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface