Multi-channel data-acquisition and controller for mobile health monitoring system with HSDPA and GPS

In this paper, a single-chip-microprocessor-based multi-channel data acquisition and controller for mobile health monitoring system (MHMS) is developed. The presented controller separately interfaces with the high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), GPS, and a ring-type physiological sensor by a multiplexer. Therefore, its cost is economical and its size is compact, making it suitable for mobility. Moreover, the developed hardware and firmware of the controller can be easily expanded for incorporating additional physiological sensors with the help of the multiplexer. For data transmission, in this proposed MHMS the HSDPA wireless technology is used, and therefore data can be transmitted to the remote server with no distance limit. The GPS further provides the position information of the monitored person. The remote server not only collects physiological measurements but also tracks the position of the monitored person in real time. Based on the experimental test, the proposed MHMS demonstrates satisfactory performance.