Interfacing with BITalino

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and to the DiY hardware world, reason for which I wanted to ask your opinion.

I've recently came across a news article regarding a toolkit called BITalino:

Can anyone tell me if I can interface it with my Arduino board?

Thanks!

2

Looks like it comes with an Arduino clone similar to an Arduino Mini. I'm sure that you can use a different Arduino if you like.

3

Hi there,

Depending on what you're trying to achieve there are several ways to interface both platforms.

Check out the hardware reference of each BITalino block, available under "General Description" at:
http://www.biosignalsplux.com/downloads/BITalino_Manual/manual.html

BITalino has the UART pins exposed, which you can connect to the UART interface on the Arduino:

Another option is to connect the analog output of the sensors to analog input ports on the Arduino board:

Note also that BITalino has its own MCU block, purpose-built to cope with the requirements of biosignals.

Cheers.

4

Does the BITalino run the same code as the arduino?
If so, where could we find that code?

And if I disconnect the ECG from the multiboard, how can I reconnect it later to the BITalino again? Is there a pin matrix for the BITalino?

5

UncleUnvoid:
Does the BITalino run the same code as the arduino?
If so, where could we find that code?

It would seem it does not. The websites concerned appear to be very poorly written, and I am having trouble finding any information there. I do not think "compatibility" is intended, and I see little point in attempting to interface it with an Arduino. If you use the BITalino, you use it with the software supplied for it. That's the whole point; there is little or no reason to interface it with an Arduino. Similar "sensors" are available somewhat more cheaply.

UncleUnvoid:
And if I disconnect the ECG from the multiboard, how can I reconnect it later to the BITalino again? Is there a pin matrix for the BITalino?

It appears the design is such that if you break off the individual interfaces, you mount "RJ12" (telephone socket) connectors on the interface board and wire 4-core telephone ribbon cable to the interface with a connector crimped on the end to go in the socket. Clearly you would have to solder the cable to the interface board (and - anchor it firmly with epoxy).

I am amused by the claim: "100x cheaper than your average physiological data acquisition system". An "average physiological data acquisition system" includes medical-grade electrical isolation which this device clearly does not. Even connecting it to a USB port whilst connected to ECG electrodes represents some risk, which is clearly why the design includes a rechargeable Li-ion battery and Bluetooth interfacing so that when connected so electrodes, it has - or should be used so it has - no connection to any other devices.

That would explain the supposed (and somewhat inflated) "100x cheaper" claim. My (professional) ECG system cost me less than ten times as much by way of reference.