scholarly journals Design of Howland current sources using differential evolution optimization

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-100
Author(s):  
Kaue Felipe Morcelles ◽  
Lucas Hermann Negri ◽  
Pedro Bertemes-Filho

AbstractHowland circuits have been widely used in Electrical Bioimpedance Spectroscopy applications as reliable current sources. This paper presents an algorithm based on Differential Evolution for the automated design of Enhanced Howland Sources according to arbitrary design constraints while respecting the Howland ratio condition. Results showed that the algorithm can obtain solutions to commonly sought objectives, such as maximizing the output impedance at a given frequency, making it a versatile method to be employed in the design of sources with specific requirements. The mathematical modeling of the source output impedance and transconductance, considering a non-ideal operational amplifier, was validated against SPICE simulations, with results matching up to 10 MHz.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-146
Author(s):  
Tobias Menden ◽  
Jascha Matuszczyk ◽  
Steffen Leonhardt ◽  
Marian Walter

Abstract Bioimpedance measurements use current or voltage sources to inject an excitation signal into the body. These sources require a high bandwidth, typically from 1 kHz to 1 MHz. Besides a low common mode, current limitation is necessary for patient safety. In this paper, we compare a symmetric enhanced Howland current source (EHCS) and a symmetric voltage source (VS) based on a non-inverting amplifier between 1 kHz and 1 MHz. A common mode reduction circuit has been implemented in both sources. The bandwidth of each source was optimized in simulations and achieved a stable output impedance over the whole frequency range. In laboratory measurements, the output impedance of the EHCS had its -3 dB point at 400 kHz. In contrast, the VS reached the +3 dB point at 600 kHz. On average over the observed frequency range, the active common mode compensation achieved a common mode rejection of -57.7 dB and -71.8 dB for the EHCS and VS, respectively. Our modifications to classical EHCS and VS circuits achieved a low common mode signal between 1 kHz and 1 MHz without the addition of complex circuitry, like general impedance converters. As a conclusion we found VSs to be superior to EHCSs for bioimpedance spectroscopy due to the higher bandwidth performance. However, this only applies if the injected current of the VS can be measured.


Author(s):  
Fernando Seoane ◽  
Ramón Bragos ◽  
Kaj Lindecrantz ◽  
Pere Riu

The passive electrical properties of biological tissue have been studied since the 1920s, and with time, the use of Electrical Bioimpedance (EBI) in medicine has successfully spread (Schwan, 1999). Since the electrical properties of tissue are frequency-dependent (Schwan, 1957), observations of the bioimpedance spectrum have created the discipline of Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), a discipline that has experienced a development closely related to the progress of electronic instrumentation and the dissemination of EBI technology through medicine.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document