An ECG Lab Project for Teaching Signal Conditioning Systems in a Master's Degree in Mechatronic Engineering

Ongoing technological progress in measurement systems triggered the development of an in novative, hands-on teaching program to help students toward a fuller understanding of recent changes in the field. This paper presents a lab project that links theoretical principles with the practical issues of signal conditioning systems. This is accomplished in the context of a Master’s Degree in Mechatronic Engineering, though the experience gained could be applied to other cur ricula. Students designed and tested a signal conditioning circuit in order to acquire and monitor the electrical activity generated by the heart. This lab project contains most of the circuits studied in lectures and presents a general methodology for the design of signal conditioning systems. Five years of lab project work was compiled, and with the help of students’ feedback, we were able to evaluate both the improvement in their knowledge and in their motivation

[1]  Cecilio Blanco Viejo,et al.  An electronic instrumentation design project for computer engineering students , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[2]  Risa Robinson,et al.  Introducing Data Acquisition And Experimental Techniques To Mechanical Engineering Students In The Freshmen Year , 2002 .

[3]  John G. Webster,et al.  Driven-right-leg circuit design , 1983, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[4]  Gül E. Okudan,et al.  Facilitating Design Learning in a Collaborative Environment: Findings on Team Functioning , 2006 .

[5]  S. Carmel,et al.  Physiological Signal Processing Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering Education , 2005, 2005 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 27th Annual Conference.

[6]  L.J. Leifer,et al.  Engineering design thinking, teaching, and learning , 2005, IEEE Engineering Management Review.

[7]  J. Froyd,et al.  Integrated Engineering Curricula , 2005 .

[8]  John G. Webster,et al.  Medical Instrumentation: Application and Design , 1997 .

[9]  Renita Schmidt.  Book Review: Integrative learning: Mapping the terrain by Mary Taylor Huber and Pat Hutchings (Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2004) , 2008 .

[10]  Miguel Rodriguez,et al.  Experiences in the Application of Project-Based Learning in a Switching-Mode Power Supplies Course , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[11]  P.H. King.  Introduction to Mechatronics and Measurement Systems, 3rd edition [Book Review] , 2006, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine.

[12]  Akif Ündar,et al.  Medical instrumentation: Application and design , 1997 .

[13]  W. Marsden.  I and J , 2012 .

[14]  John McMasters,et al.  Industry Expectations of New Engineers: A Survey to Assist Curriculum Designers , 1998 .

[15]  David G. Alciatore,et al.  Introduction To Mechatronics And Measurement Systems , 1998 .

[16]  Mary Taylor Huber,et al.  Integrative Learning: Mapping the Terrain. The Academy in Transition. , 2004 .

[17]  J.P. Giuffrida.  Bridging biomedical basics with practical applications in BME laboratory education , 2004, The 26th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

[18]  David H. Jonassen,et al.  Everyday Problem Solving in Engineering: Lessons for Engineering Educators , 2006 .

[19]  R.A. Foulds,et al.  Integrated biomedical engineering education using studio-based learning , 2003, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine.

[20]  Ping-Lin Fan,et al.  Mechatronic experiments course design: a myoelectric controlled partial-hand prosthesis project , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[21]  Daniel D. Frey,et al.  Engineering design thinking, teaching, and learning , 2006 .

[22]  Weijane Lin,et al.  Electronic pet robots for mechatronics engineering education: a project-based learning approach , 2014 .