Photoplethysmography (PPG) is currently a leading and growing field of researchwithin the biomedical industry. With its primary use in pulse oximetry and capability of quickly, non-intrusively, evaluating essential vital signs like heart rate and oxygen levels. This thesis will explore the literature on new and innovative research in pulse oximetry. Then introduce PPG signals including how to calculate heart rate, oxygen saturation, and current problems, mainly focused on motion artifacts. The development of hardware and software systems using Bluetooth to transmit data to MATLAB for algorithm processing. Testing different signal processing techniques and parameters evaluating their effects on algorithm accuracy and reduction of motion artifact. Using accelerometers to identify motion and apply filters to effectively reduce minor motion artifacts. Then perform real-time data analysis and algorithm processing resulting in heart rate and oxygen level calculations.

There has been a decrease in the fertility rate over the years due to today’s younger generation facing more pressure in the workplace and their personal lives. With an aging population, more and more older people with limited mobility will require nursing care for their daily activities. There are several applications for wearable sensor networks presented in this paper. The study will also present a motion capture system using inertial measurement units (IMUs) and a pressure-sensing insole with a control system for gait assistance using wearable sensors. This presentation will provide details on the implementation and calibration of the pressure-sensitive insole, the IMU-based motion capture system, as well as the hip exoskeleton robot. Furthermore, the estimation of the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) from the insole design and implementation of the motion tracking using quaternion will be discussed in this document.