UDA-µBioLab: Teaching microcontrollers with bioinstrumentation

Abstract

This paper presents the development, implementation and assessment of a practice guide designed to support the course of microcontrollers named UDA-µBioLab. This guide allows to consolidate the knowledge about the different peripherals of the microcontroller and introduces the students in the area of Bioinstrumentation through the acquisition of biosignals and actuators for prosthetics. Practices begin with the use of the A/D converter for the acquisition of EMG signals and flashing of a LED, then it is integrated with a DC motor to control the opening and closing of a commercial “Ottobock” prosthetics. To learn the PWM module, the prosthetics must pick up different objects such as a wood cube, a plastic ball and an egg without damage. The ECG signal and pulse oximeter are acquired by the microcontroller too. The final project is the control of a robotic hand with 5 DOF (servomotor) and controlled by the EMG signals of a student and the computer. The outcomes of the course development presented here may be used as a guideline for the creation of multidisciplinary courses.