TELEMEDICINE: ISSUES IN MOTE BASED

REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING IN A STATIC

ENVIRONMENT

A Thesis Presented to
The Faculty of the Computer Science Department

by

Erik Hadley

In Partial Fulfillment
Of Requirements for the Degree
Master of Science Computer Science

Southern Polytechnic State University

 ii

July 2006
 iii

TELEMEDICINE: ISSUES IN MOTE BASED

REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING IN A STATIC
ENVIRONMENT

Approved:

______________________________
Advisor: Dr. Patrick Bobbie

______________________________
Department Chair: Dr. Venu Dasigi
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______________________________
Dean: Dr. Michael Murphy
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In presenting this thesis as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced

degree from Southern Polytechnic State University, I agree that the university library
shall make it available for inspection and circulation in accordance with its regulations
governing materials of this type. I agree that permission to copy from, or to publish, this
thesis may be granted by the professor under whose direction it was written, or, in his
absence, by the dean of the appropriate school when such copying or publication is solely
for scholarly purposes and does not involve potential financial gain. It is understood that
any copying from or publication of, this thesis which involves potential financial gain
will not be allowed without written permission.

____________________________________
Erik Hadley
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Notice To Borrowers

Unpublished theses deposited in the Library of Southern Polytechnic State University

must be used only in accordance with the stipulations prescribed by the author in the
preceding statement.

The author of this thesis is:

Erik Hadley
104 Tunnel Hill Dr.
Ball Ground GA. 30107

The director of this thesis is:

Dr. Patrick Bobbie

Computer Science Department - Southern Polytechnic State University
1100 South Marietta Parkway
Marietta GA. 30060

Users of this thesis not regularly enrolled as students at Southern Polytechnic State
University are required to attest acceptance of the preceding stipulations by signing
below. Libraries borrowing this thesis for the use of their patrons are required to see that
each user records here the information requested.

Name of user Address Date Type of use (examination only or copying)

 vii

TELEMEDICINE: ISSUES IN MOTE BASED

REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING IN A STATIC
ENVIRONMENT

An Abstract of
A Thesis Presented to
The Faculty of the Computer Science Department

by

Erik Hadley
BS Computer Science, Southern Polytechnic State University, 2004

In Partial Fulfillment
of Requirements for the Degree
Master of Science, Computer Science

Southern Polytechnic State University

July 2006
 viii

Abstract
The objective of this thesis is to explore the issues involved in building a wireless
Electrocardiogram (ECG) remote patient monitoring system. These issues include the
capturing of the ECG signal data at a sufficient data rate to produce an accurate
representation of the signal, and the maintaining of a reliable data stream from the ECG
device to the monitoring base station.

For the data capture an ECG device was built that amplifies the ECG signal and
regulates the output voltage so as not to overload the analog to digital converter. Also
used for data capture were the MDA300CA data acquisition board and the MicaZ
wireless mote, both manufactured by Crossbow Technologies Inc. For receiving the
wireless transmissions an MIB600CA base station was used, also manufactured by
Crossbow Technologies Inc. The MIB600CA functions as a wireless to Ethernet bridge
and allows for all of the wireless packets to be handled by a computer connected to the
MIB600CA via Ethernet.

This thesis discusses the hardware and software involved in building the remote patient
monitoring ECG system. The paper then discusses the results of the experimentation and
ultimately suggests improvements that can be done to further turn the prototype into a
deployable unit.
 ix

TELEMEDICINE: ISSUES IN MOTE BASED

REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING IN A STATIC
ENVIRONMENT

A Thesis Presented to
The Faculty of the Computer Science Department

by

Erik Hadley

In Partial Fulfillment
of Requirements for the Degree
Master of Science, Computer Science

Advisor: Dr. Patrick Bobbie

Southern Polytechnic State University

July 2006
 x

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I must thank Dr. Patrick Bobbie for giving me the opportunity to work as a

Research Assistant for the past year and a half. My thanks also go to everyone in the

NSF-COPIRE research group, past and present, you have all made this thesis possible.

I must also give my biggest thanks to my parents who have been wonderfully

supportive and patient throughout my academic career.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction………………………………………………………..………………1

II. Description of hardware…………………………………………..……………….4

2.1 The ECG Circuit

2.2 The MDA300CATM
2.3 The MicaZTM
2.4 The MIB600CATM

III. Software………………………………………………………………………….10

3.1 TinyOSTM
3.2 nesCTM
3.3 XSensorMDA300TM
3.4 The Modified XSensorMDA300TM
for the ECG
3.5 The MoteListener Application

IV. Experimentation………………………………………………………………….18

4.1 Direct Wireless Connection from the ECG

to the Base Station
4.2 Limitations and Known Issues
4.2.1 Limitations of the Direct Wireless Connection
4.2.2 Limitations of the ECG System
4.2.3 Possible Issues with the MDA300CATM
4.3 Possible Solutions for Known Issues

V. Extensibility and Related Research………………………………...……………23

5.1 Extensibility
5.1.1 Improvements to the Current System
5.1.2 Extensibility of the Current System
5.2 Related Research
5.2.1 The Aware Home Research Initiative
5.2.2 Code Blue
5.2.3 Mobile Telemedicine Using Network
Striping Over Dissimilar Wireless
Wide Area Networks

VI. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….28
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Appendix A. ECG Circuit Diagram……………………………………………………...29

Appendix B. XSensorMDA300 Source Code…………………………………………...30

Appendix C. Modified XSensorMDA300

Source Code……………………………………………………………...52

Appendix D. MoteListener Source Code………………………………………………...66

References…………………………………………………………………………………
72
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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Caption Page

1.1 An Assisted Living Center Model…………..2
1.2 Block Diagram of the Remote
Patient Monitoring System………….3
2.1 Block Diagram of the ECG Circuit…………5
2.2 The MDA300CATM…………………………6
2.3 The MicaZTM………………………………..8
2.4 The MIB600CATM…………………………..9
Appendix A ECG Circuit Diagram……………………….29