Mechatronics LAB- Internet Of Things

Arduino Pulse Sensor Project for Beginners: Measure Heart Rate

Project Overview

This beginner-friendly project demonstrates how to use a Pulse Sensor with Arduino to measure heart rate (in BPM). The Pulse Sensor is an easy-to-use heart-rate sensor that can be used to create heart-rate monitoring and fitness tracking devices.

Project Goals for Arduino Pulse Sensor

• Learn how to connect a Pulse Sensor to Arduino for heart rate measurement.
• Use the PulseSensorPlayground library to read the heart rate data.
• Display the heart rate (in BPM) in the Serial Monitor.

Required Components for Arduino Pulse Sensor Project

Here’s a list of components needed to build this project:

Component	Description	Link
Arduino Uno	Main microcontroller board	Buy on Amazon
Pulse Sensor	Measures heart rate	Check Availability
Jumper Wires	Connects components to Arduino	Buy on Amazon
Breadboard	For prototyping connections	Buy on Amazon

What is the Pulse Sensor?

The Pulse Sensor is an analog sensor designed to measure heart rate. It works by detecting the pulse in your fingertips or earlobe and provides analog output corresponding to heartbeats. It is commonly used in health monitoring and wearable devices.

Pulse Sensor Pinout Overview

Pin	Description
VCC	Power supply (3.3V or 5V)
GND	Ground connection
SIGNAL	Analog output, connected to Arduino analog input

Circuit Connection for Pulse Sensor with Arduino

Follow these connections to set up the Pulse Sensor with Arduino:

Component	Arduino Pin	Details
Pulse Sensor VCC	5V	Connect to 5V power supply
Pulse Sensor GND	GND	Ground connection
Pulse Sensor SIGNAL	A0	Analog output to Arduino
On-board LED	D13	Blinks with each heartbeat

How the Circuit Works

The Pulse Sensor reads the heartbeat and outputs an analog signal to the Arduino. The PulseSensorPlayground library processes this signal to calculate the heart rate in BPM. The on-board LED blinks with each detected heartbeat, providing a visual indication of the heart rate.

Arduino Code for Pulse Sensor

This code reads heart rate using the Pulse Sensor and displays the BPM in the Serial Monitor. Copy and upload this code to your Arduino Uno.

#define USE_ARDUINO_INTERRUPTS true
#include   

const int PulseWire = 0;       // PulseSensor connected to ANALOG PIN 0
const int LED13 = 13;          // On-board LED, close to PIN 13
int Threshold = 550;           // Set threshold for detecting heartbeats

PulseSensorPlayground pulseSensor;  // Create PulseSensor object

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);  // Initialize serial communication
  pulseSensor.analogInput(PulseWire);
  pulseSensor.blinkOnPulse(LED13);
  pulseSensor.setThreshold(Threshold);

  if (pulseSensor.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Pulse Sensor connected!");
  }
}

void loop() {
  int myBPM = pulseSensor.getBeatsPerMinute();  // Get heart rate in BPM

  if (pulseSensor.sawStartOfBeat()) {
    Serial.println("♥ A HeartBeat Happened!");
    Serial.print("BPM: ");
    Serial.println(myBPM);
  }

  delay(20);  // Short delay for stabilization
}

Steps to Upload Arduino Code

• Connect your Arduino to the computer using a USB cable.
• Open the Arduino IDE and paste the code into a new sketch.
• Install the PulseSensorPlayground library from the Library Manager.
• Select the correct board (e.g., Arduino Uno) and port from the "Tools" menu.
• Click the "Upload" button to transfer the code to the Arduino.

Check Output for Pulse Sensor

• Open the Serial Monitor (Ctrl + Shift + M) after uploading the code.
• The heart rate (in BPM) will be displayed in the Serial Monitor.
• The on-board LED will blink with each detected heartbeat.

Troubleshooting Tips for Pulse Sensor

• No Heartbeat Detected: Ensure the sensor is placed correctly on your fingertip or earlobe.
• Inconsistent BPM Values: Adjust the threshold value for better detection accuracy.
• LED Not Blinking: Check the LED connections and ensure the sensor is working properly.

Suggestions for Beginners

Start by testing the Pulse Sensor with the Serial Monitor to understand its behavior. Once you’re comfortable with the readings, try integrating it into more advanced heart-rate monitoring projects.

Recommended Book for Learning Arduino

Arduino Programming for Absolute Beginners - This book provides easy, step-by-step instructions, making it ideal for beginners who want to learn Arduino programming.

For more Arduino tutorials, visit MechatronicsLab.net, where you’ll find resources on Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi.