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Ananya Dutta Int. Journal of Engineering Research and Application
ISSN : 2248-9622, Vol. 3, Issue 5, Sep-Oct 2013, pp.1534-1540

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Amplification and Filtering Of ECG Signal Using
Instrumentation Amplifier
Ananya Dutta
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Tezpur University, Tezpur: 784028, Assam State,
India
Abstract
This paper deals with the process of generation of ECG signal and discusses the general shape of the ECG
waveform and its generation by using the three bipolar limb lead method based on Einthoven’s Triangle. Since
the ECG signal has amplitude in mV range, its observation requires the use of Instrumentation Amplifier and
moreover, filter is also used for smoothening the signal.
Index Items: Einthoven’s Triangle, Sinoatrial Node, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), Instrumentation Amplifier,
Butterworth filter

I.

Introduction

Normal
Electrocardiogram
(ECG)
is
composed of a P wave, a QRS complex and a T wave
as shown in Figure 1. Both P wave and QRS complex
are depolarization waves. P wave is caused by
electrical potential generated when atria depolarize
before a trial contraction begins. QRS complex is
caused by potentials generated when ventricles
depolarize before contraction. T wave is caused by
potentials generated as ventricles recover from state of
depolarization and is called repolarization wave.
An ECG is used to measure the electrical
activity of the heart treated as vector quantity. It
measures the rate and regularity of heart beat. The
cardiac signal typically 5mV peak-to-peak is an AC
signal with a bandwidth of 0.05 Hz-100 Hz. P wave
occurs at the beginning of contraction of atria and
QRS complex occurs at beginning of contraction of
ventricles. The ventricles remain contracted until after

Fig 1: Typical ECG waveform
Figure 3 represents the most basic form of
electrode placement (three lead) which is based on
Einthoven’s Triangle. Each apex of triangle represents
where the fluids around the heart connect electrically
with the limbs. Lead-I measures the differential
potential between right and left arms, Lead-II between
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repolarization has occurred, that is, until the end of T
wave, [1, 4, 7, and 8].
An electrical impulse is necessary to
stimulate the contraction of heart. The Sinoatrial Node
(SA) is responsible for producing these impulses.
When a heart is at rest it is polarized (i.e., there is
balance of charge in and out of each cell within the
heart muscle) and therefore no electricity flows. A
resting heart has negative charge. When a stimulus
occurs, positive ions enter the cell, changing the
charge to positive. This is depolarization and occurs in
every heart cell causing the fibres to shorten. This
leads to contraction of heart, pumping out the positive
ions and returning the heart to its relaxed normal
shape (repolarization). Figure 2 depicts the various
parts of human heart and their respective electrical
waveforms, [2, 4, 11].

Fig. 2: Electrophysiology of the heart
right and left leg, Lead-III between left arm and left
leg.
Einthoven’s law also states that value of any
point can be computed from values of the other two
points.

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ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 3, Issue 5, Sep-Oct 2013, pp.01-05
Lead I:

V1  Pl  Pr
V2  Pf  Pr

Lead II:
Lead III:

V3  Pf  Pl

Thus,
Lead I + Lead III = Lead II
where,
P1= Potential of left arm
Pf = Potential of left leg
Pr = Potential of right arm
The peak to peak voltage from top of R wave
to bottom of S wave is 1-1.5 mV, the voltage of P
wave is between 0.1-0.3 mV and that of T wave is 0.20.3 mV. The PR interval (or PQ interval) is 0.16 sec
and QT interval is 0.35 sec. Normal interval between
two successive QRS complexes in adult is 0.83
seconds, that is, heart rate is 60/0.83, which is 72 beats
per min.
In the three bipolar limb leads, the negative
terminal of Lead I is connected to right arm and
positive terminal to left arm. The ECG records

Fig3: The Three Leads

II.

ECG Interference Sources

ECG signals are typically in the mV range.
Hence they are highly susceptible to large amounts of
interference from a variety of sources. The
interference sources can be divided into 3 distinct
groups:
(i) Noise originating from sources external to
the patient
(ii) Interference originating from the patient
(iii) Unwanted potentials as well as interference
originating from patient-electrode contact.
i)

Noise originating from
external to the patient
A. Electrostatic Sources

sources

When a charged body is brought up close to
an uncharged one, an equal & opposite charge
develops on the uncharged body. For example if an
unearthed body is close to any electronic device that is
connected to the mains supply voltage, the body will
develop a surface charge of equal & opposite potential

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positively if portion of chest connected to right arm is
electronegative with respect to point where left arm
connects to chest else it records negatively. For Lead
II, the negative terminal is connected to right arm and
positive to left leg. For Lead III, the negative terminal
is connected to left arm and positive terminal to left
leg.
In augmented unipolar limb, two limbs are
connected to negative terminal of ECG and third limb
to positive terminal of ECG. When third limb is right
arm, it is called VR lead, when left arm it is called VL
lead, when left leg it is VF lead. They are all similar
graphs except that graph recordings from VR lead are
inverted.[2, 3, 5, and 9].
In case of chest leads (precordial leads), one
electrode is placed on anterior surface of heart
(connected to positive terminal of heart) and negative
electrode is connected to right arm, left arm and left
leg. The different recordings are known as leads. In
leads V1 and V2, the QRS recordings are negative
because they are nearer to base of heart than to apex
(base of heart is negative) and for V4, V5, V6, they
are positive.

Fig. 4: Instrumentation Amplifier
even though no current is flowing between the two
bodies. This phenomenon is commonly known as ESD
(Electrostatic Discharge). ESD has been well
documented in the recent past and extends a lot further
than this particular case. The process of electron
transfer as a result of two objects coming into contact
with each other and then separating is known as
'triboelectric charging'. As the mains potential has a
frequency of 50 Hz, the induced potential will also
have this frequency. Other sources of electrostatic
charge include the operating table, other persons,
electronic equipment, [3, 4, and 7].
B. Electromagnetic Induction
It is an interference that occurs in the vicinity
of wires carrying AC currents. Due to the generation
of a magnetic field by the flow of a current, all
conductors carrying mains currents are surrounded by
electromagnetic fields. The 50 Hz mains interference
is a difference in potential relative to ground, that is
imposed upon any patient/subject in proximity to the
wire carrying alternating (50Hz) main supply current;
the patient takes on a potential that is neither that of

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ground, nor that of the mains, but rather, somewhere
in between. Since the mains current is fluctuating
(AC), the induced voltage of the subject is also
fluctuating. This effect is however minimized by the
fact that the electromagnetic field generated by the
live wire is to a large degree cancelled out by the
neutral cable flowing adjacent to the live cable but in
the opposite direction.
ii)

Interference originating from the
patient
An electromyogram (EMG) measures the
electrical activity of muscles at rest and during
contraction. Analysis of the EMG shows that the
frequency (Hz) components of both the EEG & ECG
lie within the same band. The EMG signal however is
typically five times larger (up to 30mV) than that of
the ECG signal. Muscular activity (especially
shivering) can lead to large interference in any ECG
signal since they occupy the same frequency band.
Noise originating from patientelectrode contact
ECG electrodes do not act as a passive noninvasive conductor. The placement of any metal
adjacent to an electrolytic solution (gel on ECG pads
combined with surface of skin) produces an
electrochemical half-cell, similar to (although a lot
less complex) than that of a battery, resulting in
potentials on the surface of the skin. If a differential
amplifier is connected to a pair of such electrodes it
will amplify any difference in potentials. Ideally if the
cells are identical the output will be zero. If the
potentials however are not identical, any difference
between the two electrodes will be amplified.
Additionally, the small current produced by the offset
potential may result in polarization. Polarization of the
electrode will further distort any signal.

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ECG signal is very less in amplitude and hence it
requires amplification. On the other hand ECG signals
cannot be amplified by ordinary amplifiers as they
require precision high gain (more then 500) and high
Common-mode Rejection. Hence to overcome these
we make use of Instrumentation amplifier which has
high Common-mode Rejection Ratio, high gain and
high input impedance. The schematic diagram of the
Op-amp instrumentation amplifier is shown in figure
4.
VCM = (VIN + + VIN-) / 2
VD = (VIN+ - VIN-)
where VCM and VD represents the common mode
voltage and differential voltage respectively .
Thus,
VIN+ =VCM + VD/2
V IN- =VCM - VD/2

iii)

III.

The Main New Findings

We first describe amplification of ECG
signal. For our principal goal, we use the following
instruments:

In the non-saturated mode, the a pomp action
of A1 and A2 applies the differential voltage VD
across the gain resistor RG, generating input current ID.
ID = (VIN+ - VIN- )/RG
Output voltages of A1 and A2 are thus,
V1 = VCM – VD/2 –ID RF
V2 = VCM + VD/2 + IDRF
Thus,
V1 = VCM - ( VDG1)/2
V2 = VCM + (VDG1)/2
Where the input gain, G1= 1+ 2RF/ RG
Thus only the differential component VD/2 is
amplified by the input gain G1, while VCM passes the
input stage with unity gain.
VO = (V2 – V1)*G1

(a). Hewlett Packard 54602B Oscilloscope
If we define G2 = R2/R1, then VO /VD =G1G2 = GTOT
Frequency limit:
150 MHz
Sampling Frequency: 1Gs/s
(b). Tektronix TDS 2012B Two Channel Digital
storage Oscilloscope

Because, VCM and VD can change their
polarities, the maximum voltage either output can
assume before reaching saturation is
+ |V1, 2|= ± (|VCM| +|VD /2|) ≤ ± |Vsat|

Frequency Limit: 100MHz
(c). Hewlett Packard E3631A; adjustable regulated
DC power supply
(0+25V/ 1A,
0-6V/5A)

The variables refer only to magnitude values.
Assuming that V1, 2 and VD are constant, the only way
to increase the input common–mode voltage VCM to
VCM΄ is to reduce the input gain from G1 to G1΄ so that

(d) Agilent 3325OA, 80 MHz Function/ Arbitrary
Waveform Generator

V1, 2 = Const = VCM + VD /2 = VCM ΄+ VD΄ /2
VCM΄ = VCM + VD × (G1 – G1΄)/2

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Reducing G1 reduces the range of the
amplified differential component G1΄(VD /2), thus
providing an expansion range for VCM. Standard INAs,
using unity-gain difference amplifiers, have R2= R1
and G2 =1. The total INA gain is then placed into the
input stage making G1=GTOT. Reducing G1 from GTOT
to G1΄, while preserving GTOT, requires an increase in
difference amplifier gain from G2 =1 to
G2΄= GTOT/G1΄. Replacing G1 with GTOT and G1΄ with
GTOT / G2΄ results in the extended common–mode
range:
VCM΄ = VCM + (VD/2) × GTOT (1– 1/G2΄)
= VCM + (VD/2) × G1΄× (G2΄– 1)
From the above expression it is clear that the
three op-amp instrumentation amplifier, amplifies
only the differential signal and first buffer stage
improves the impedance of the overall amplifier.

IV.

Design and observations

The concept of instrumentation amplifier has
been made use of in the amplification of ECG signal
by putting a gain of 500. To maintain the high input
impedance we select the IC TL072 (FET Op-amp) for
the design of instrumentation amplifier. Referring to
the Figure.4 the component values are
R1= 100 Ω
R2= 10K
RF= 2K
RG= 1K

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Therefore,
GTOT = V0/VIN = (1+2RF/RG)×(R2/R1)
= 5*100
= 500
The observed frequency response of the
designed instrumentation amplifier is given in table 1
and figure 5.
Table 1: Frequency response of Instrumentation
Amplifier
(Input voltage, VIN = 10 mV)
Frequency(Hz)
VOUT(V)
Gain(dB)
1
4.73
53.50
10
4.73
53.50
20
4.73
53.50
100
4.73
53.50
200
4.73
53.50
500
4.73
53.50
1K
4.73
53.50
2K
4.68
53.40
5K
4.33
52.73
9K
3.75
51.48
9.5K
3.70
51.36
10K
3.63
51.20
11K
3.48
50.83
12K
3.33
50.45
13K
3.20
50.10
15K
2.93
49.30
20K
2.43
47.71
25K
2.07
46.32
0.707*4.73V= 3.33V which corresponds to fC=12K
(constant peak voltage=4.73V)

Figure 5: Frequency Response without filter

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V.



Filters

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To remove the noises we make use of
different types of filters.
Third order low-pass Butterworth filter with
cut-off at 30 Hz

Figure 6: Third order filter
A third order Butterworth filter is made by
cascading a first order and a second order filter .Filters
are designed with the use of 741 general purpose opamp for 30 Hz cutoff and the component values for 3 rd
order filter are given below
-6

C3 = 0.1 * 10 F
C1 = 0.5*C3=50nF
C2 = 2C3=0.2 * 10-6 F
R = 53.05K
2R = 106.1K
Here R1=R2=R; therefore cutoff = fc =( 2*
pi* R*C1 )-1 = 30Hz. Measured frequency response of
the 3rd order filter is given in the table 2.

Table 2: Frequency response of third order
Butterworth filter
Frequency(Hz)
VOUT(V)
Gain(dB)
1
10.45
0.38
5
10
15

10.45
10.45
10.45

0.38
0.38
0.38

20

10.00

0

22
25
28
30
31
35
38
40
50

9.68
8.90
8.13
7.50
7.38
5.78
5.00
4.53
2.80

-0.29
-1.01
-1.8
-2.5
-2.64 fc
-4.77
-6.02
-6.88
-11.05

0.707*10.45V=7.38V which corresponds to fc =31 Hz
practically (peak constant voltage =10.45 V)

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ISSN : 2248-9622, Vol. 3, Issue 5, Sep-Oct 2013, pp.1534-1540

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Fig. 7: ECG signal produced (two of the leads are on chests)

VI.

Conclusions

ECG signal is very less in amplitude and
hence instrumentation amplifier is very essential. On
the other hand ECG signals cannot be amplified by
ordinary amplifiers as they require precision high gain
(more then 500) and high Common-mode Rejection.
Hence to overcome these we make use of
Instrumentation amplifier which has high Commonmode Rejection Ratio, high gain and high input
impedance. Again, the small ac signal voltage (less
than 5 mV) detected by the sensor on the electrodes is
accompanied by a large ac common-mode component
(up to 1.5 V) and a large variable dc component (300
mV). Moreover, electrical activity of the heart can be
approximated by a dipole (a vector drawn between
two opposite electrical charges) with time varying
amplitude and orientation. We have also observed that
the Bio-Radio physiological monitor provides a
standardized method of wireless ECG measurement
with a compact amplifier and several options for
acquisition and ECG analysis.
In case of wavelet transform, thresholding
should be carefully done so that it does not remove the
underlying EEG data components; whether
thresholding should be applied to entire signal or only
artifacts or the detail coefficients should also be taken
into consideration. New techniques such as adaptive
filter algorithms can be implemented and many
potential applications can be studied.
Table 1
regarding frequency response of Instrumentation
Amplifier (input voltage, VIN = 10 mV), Table 2
regarding frequency response of third order
Butterworth, figure 5 and figure 6 are significant
support for our results .Three bipolar limb lead
method based on Einthoven’s Triangle can be applied
very efficiently for our results .
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Acknowledgment

I am very much grateful to Professor Anil
Mahanta of the department of Electronics
and Electrical Engineering, IIT, Guwahati for
his valuable suggestions for improvement of
the main results in the paper .
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