An image-based pulse rate detection system using an FPGA platform

In this paper, an image-based pulse rate detection system was developed and implemented. The system is constructed based on the principle of remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) technique. By analyzing the images captured by the camera with Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform and Nios embedded soft-core processor, we can obtain the physiological signals of the user immediately without sensors attachment. We recruited four subjects to evaluate the proposed pulse rate detection system under ambient light. The results reveal that the error converges between +2.68 and -5.03 beats per minute (bpm), which outperforms than our previous study. Compare to traditional contact measurement, non-contact method proffers a more comfortable and unfettered measuring environment for long-term monitoring. In the future, the system can be utilized in several scenarios such as baby monitoring, driver's health assessment, and elder's health caring, to broaden the scope of applications.