NI sbRIO Adapter to the Texas Instruments Electrocardiogram (ECG) Analog Front End Module

This tutorial explains how to build an adapter printed circuit board (PCB) to enable direct connection of the NI Single Board RIO (sbRIO) to the Texas Instruments TMDXMDKEK1258 Electrocardiogram (ECG) Analog Front End Module. All design files are available for National Instruments' suite of design tools: NI Multisim capture and simulation, and NI Ultiboard layout and routing.

1. Overview to the Adapter for the TI ECG Medical Development Kit
2. NI Single Board RIO for OEM Embedded Deployment
3. Board Layout Software to Simplify PCB Adapter Board Design
4. Texas Instruments TMDXMDKEK1258 Electrocardiogram (ECG) Analog Front End (AFE) module 
5. Fabricating the sbRIO to TI Analog EVM Adapter
6. Fabricating a Board Prototype
7. Related Documentation
8. Disclamer
9. Testing Your ECG (EKG) Products to ANSI/AAMI EC13

Overview to the Adapter for the TI ECG Medical Development Kit

Figure 1 below shows the three-dimensional views of the completed circuit board built using NI Ultiboard.  The components to build this board include:

• Qnty: 2 of VOLTAGE_REGULATOR LM317LZ
• Qnty: 2 of CAP_ELECTROLIT 1µF
• Qnty: 2 of CAPACITOR .1F
• Qnty; 1 of RESISTOR 361Ω
• Qnty: 1 of RESISTOR 220Ω
• Qnty: 1 of RESISTOR 119Ω
• Qnty: 1 of RESISTOR 270Ω
• Qnty 2 of Connector 
• Qnty 52 .1in Headers Pins

PCB fabrication files are included with this application note and can be directly loaded within the product order site of Sunstone Circuits.

Figure 1. NI Ultiboard 3D View

NI Single Board RIO for OEM Embedded Deployment

NI Single-Board RIO products (Figure 2)are low-cost embedded deployment solutions based on NI CompactRIO.  Each NI Single-Board RIO integrates an embedded real-time processor, a high-performance FPGA, and onboard analog and digital I/O onto a single board. All I/O is connected directly to the FPGA, providing low-level customization of timing and I/O signal processing. The FPGA is connected to the embedded real-time processor via a high-speed PCI bus. LabVIEW contains built-in data transfer mechanisms to pass data from the I/O to the FPGA and also from the FPGA to the embedded processor for real-time analysis, post-processing, data logging, or communication to a networked host computer.

Figure 2.  Example NI sbRIO with integrated analog, digital and 24V relay control

Board Layout Software to Simplify PCB Adapter Board Design

The NI Ultiboard interface enables layout and routing of PCB designs. Integration with NI Multisim allows transfer of schematics to layout. Ultiboard exports and produces industry standard format such as Gerber and DXF to take a final, optimized board to prototype and manufacture.

• Learn more at ni.com/multisim
• Download a 30 Day Evaluation of Multisim and Ultiboard

This is one in a series of articles and resources available:

• sbRIO Daughter Board Reference Design for Multisim & Ultiboard
• Introduction to Custom Daughter Card Design with NI Single-Board RIO

Figure 3 NI Ultiboard layout of the sbRIO to TI ECG analog front end adapter

Texas Instruments TMDXMDKEK1258 Electrocardiogram (ECG) Analog Front End (AFE) module 

The TMDXMDKEK1258 Electrocardiogram (ECG) Analog Front End (AFE) module from Texas Instruments delivers a complete signal chain to enable ECG developers to build a ECG analog front end for evaluation and get to production faster.  Connected together with the NI sbRIO, designers have a rapid prototyping platform to allow for rapid algorithm engineering and product design interaction.

AFE module components include:

1. ADS1258 – 16 channel, 24-bit sigma delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
2. INA 128 - precision, low power instrumentation amplifier
3. PCA9535 - remote 16-bit I²C and SMBus low-power I/O expander
4. TLV3404 - nanopower open drain output comparator
5. REF5025 - low-noise, very low drift precision voltage reference

The ADS1258 ADC is one of 27 components on the TMDXMDKEK1258 ECG AFE module. The input signals are processed by the ADS1258, which provides for 24 bits of resolution. Additionally, the ADS1258 provides low latency and noise performance, as well as a low power consumption level.

A high-quality reference voltage is for achieving the best performance from the ADS1258. The REF5025 precision voltage reference provides  temperature drift (3ppm/°C), low noise of 3uVpp/V and 0.05% accuracy.  The INA128 provides high common mode rejection required for noise rejection when used in conjunction with low pass filters.  Below is the signal chain schematic of the TMDXMDKEK1258 ECG AFE module.

Figure 4 Signal Chain Diagram of the TMDXMDKEK1258 ECG AFE module

Fabricating the sbRIO to TI Analog EVM Adapter

There are a number of different ports available on the SB-RIO to define custom I/O in order to better interface to real world measurements. Contained upon the Single-Board RIO are four, 50 pin digital connectors which in total are comprised of 10 digital ports.  Specific versions of the NI SBRIO include a 50 pin connector with analog I/O capabilities.  The sbRIO to TI analog EVM adapter will use one digital connector P5 and the SBRIO analog connector for future expansion to other medical starter kit EVMs.

Figure 5 NI sbRIO Digital I/O connectors

NI Ultiboard provides a complete symbolically defined drawing of each NI Single Board RIO product port.  An example of this connector is shown below.

Figure 6 NI Ultiboard Symbol for sbRIO

The signals which need to be connected between the NI sbRIO and the TI EVM can be found in the TI TMDXMDKEK1258 user manual.  Below are the signals required:

Figure 7 TMDXMDKEK1258 ECG AFE module to NI SBRIO Pin Assignment

Figure 8 NI SBRIO Pin Assignment

Fabricating a Board Prototype

From Ultiboard, it is simple to export the various Gerber files, industry standard files used to fabricate PCBs, that need to be sent to a board manufacturer for production. In general, there are ultimately six important files that are required for manufacture:

1. Copper Bottom
2. Copper Top (with Board Outline)
3. Silkscreen Top
4. Solder Mask Bottom
5. Solder Mask Top

The above is suitable for a simple 2 layer design. As you define inner copper layers, additional Gerber files must be generated.

For designs upon which through-hole components are placed, a drill file is required to explain the appropriate areas upon which the fabricator must make holes for components. For this an additional file to export is:

1. Copper Top to Copper Bottom Drill File

Board Manufacturers

There are a number of different board manufacturers who can quickly prototype designs. One reputable fabricator is Sunstone Circuits. Sunstone provide very quick turn around on designs. For Single-Board RIO daughter cards, Sunstone can be provided the above Gerber and drill files for design fabrication.  Place a board order at Sunstone.com

Related Documentation

Refer to the following documents to learn more about ECG measurements and using the NI sbRIO with the MDXMDKEK1258 Electrocardiogram (ECG) Analog Front End (AFE) module:

• Electrocardiography ECG Reference Design Embedded Starter Kit
• Electrocardiography ECG Starter Kit Application Software
• LabVIEW for ECG Signal Processing
• LabVIEW FPGA IP for Texas Instruments ADS1258 16-Channel, 24-Bit ADC
• NI Biomedical Startup Kit
• Bioelectromagnetism and the 12 Lead ECG System
• Biomedical User Group Forums
• Texas Instruments TMDXMDKEK1258 Electrocardiogram (ECG) Analog Front End (AFE) 

Disclamer

Not for Diagnostic Use: For Feasibility Evaluation Only in Laboratory/Development Environments.

• The adapter along with the NI SBRIO and TI Analog EVM front end must not be used for diagnostic purposes.
• The adapter along with the NI SBRIO and TI Analog EVM front must not be used with other equipment that produces high voltages
• This adapter along with the NI SBRIO and TI Analog EVM front are intended solely for evaluation and development purposes. They are not intended for use and may not be used as all or part of an end equipment product.
• This adapter along with the NI SBRIO and TI Analog EVM front should be used solely by qualified engineers and technicians who are familiar with the risks associated with handling electrical and mechanical components, systems and subsystems.
• Use only the proper power supplies for the adapter along with the NI SBRIO and TI Analog EVM front module.

Testing Your ECG (EKG) Products to ANSI/AAMI EC13

Learn how to test and validate any Electrocardiography (ECG) (EKG)  based medical device to ANSI/AAMI EC13.  

In this document, you will learn how to automate and reduce time required to test and validate any ECG based device using NI PXI modular instruments and NI software.

Downloads

sbriotiadapter.zip

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