SON1303 Heart Rate Sensor Module - Gravity Series

The human body is certainly complex, and is actually complex that for thousands of years we simply didn’t know how most of worked. Within the recent one or two hundred years, however, our understanding of the complex systems within our bodies have grown dramatically, and this is quite majorly due to advancements in Electronics and the various technologies that were based off of it. From simple ECG to extremely advanced life supports systems, electronics has continuously advanced medicine over the years, and now, we even have Hobbyist-Grade Sensors for medical tinkering, so we at home can experiment, learn, and perhaps one day even advance the industry with our own ideas.

This tiny little modules is an awesome SON1303 Heart Rate Sensor Module from DFRobot, designed to the Gravity Series standard for easy integration into projects, and operating on a wide 3.3V to 6V range to accommodate a wide selection of different microcontrollers like Arduino or Raspberry Pi. It utilises the PPG Technique, which stands for Photoplethysmography, and optically measures volumetric changes in blood circulation from the surface of the skin. This sensor module is capable of outputting both digital and analog signals, and is built to a very discrete form factor so as to complement its common applications in wearable tech’.

In terms of functionality, this module is a surface-level senor, which means it can simply be strapped to the skin to work effectively. It also offers a handy onboard toggle switch for choosing between analog and digital output, of which the analog option outputs a pulse wave ranging between 0V and VIN, while the digital option outputs individual signals of 0V or VIN as it senses heart beats. These beats and pulses can then be seen visually via the onboard LED indicator, and the entire unit can be strapped onto your skin by wrapping the included strap through the two strap gaps and then around your wrist or finger.

Additional Resources:

• For more insights, information and Arduino code examples to get you started, be sure to check out the official DFRobot SON1303 Heart Rate Sensor Wiki.

As self-proclaimed “Robo-holics”, DFRobot is a company comprised of over 100 staff members, of which 30% are engineers who love to build robots. It was started in 2008 with the goal of embracing and promoting open-source hardware, with a core focus on Arduino, Raspberry Pi and their very own LattePanda development boards. Since then, DFRobot have manufactured over 1300 unique modules, sensors and components that all work together and complement each other, allowing users like us to enjoy a full spectrum of cutting edge robotics and electronics without having to pay premium prices.

With the primary goal of developing and manufacturing great quality products, while making them accessible to as many people as possible, DFRobot are rapidly becoming one of the most common-place brands in the world of open-source robotics and electronics. With more than 1300 products developed in-house, and an impressive range of different categories and specialisations, there are few brands in the world who can compete in terms of quality, accessibility and genuine innovation.