PulseSensor in Published Research
Lane 2 · The PulseSensor research record
Published uses, open tools, and research directions
See where genuine PulseSensor hardware appears in published work, then learn what the current sensor and open-source code can support in a careful experiment.
Confirmed publications
How researchers and educators used PulseSensor
Open any entry for the citation, the reported hardware use, source links, and related learning links where available. PulseSensor-hosted PDFs are available where the publication license permits redistribution; other works retain their original access links.
2026Exploring techniques to assess stress-related physiological responses in captive African penguins
MethodsX 16:103860. doi:10.1016/j.mex.2026.103860.
The prototype produced reliable heart-rate readings during about 5% of the recording time; the authors identify contact and movement as limitations requiring design improvements.
2024A Guide to Measuring Heart and Respiratory Rates Based on Off-the-Shelf Photoplethysmographic Hardware and Open-Source Software
Sensors 24(12):3766. doi:10.3390/s24123766.
Published version · PDF · 11.3 MB. Unchanged copy hosted by PulseSensor. © 2024 the authors named above. CC BY 4.0. Original citation and source links retained; no endorsement implied.
2024Arterial Pulse Wave Velocity: Prototype Device Based on Photoplethysmography
In Advances in Bioengineering and Clinical Engineering, SABI 2023 proceedings, pp. 144–152. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-61960-1_14.
2024Influence of interoception and body movement on the rubber hand illusion
Frontiers in Psychology 15:1458726. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1458726.
2024A real-world dataset of group emotion experiences based on physiological data
Scientific Data 11(1):116. doi:10.1038/s41597-023-02905-6.
2023Physical Noninvasive Attacks on Photoplethysmogram by Computer Controlled Blood Pressure Cuff
Sensors 23(24):9764. doi:10.3390/s23249764.
2023PhysioKit: An Open-Source, Low-Cost Physiological Computing Toolkit for Single- and Multi-User Studies
Sensors 23(19):8244. doi:10.3390/s23198244.
2023A Sliding Scale Signal Quality Metric of Photoplethysmography Applicable to Measuring Heart Rate across Clinical Contexts with Chest Mounting as a Case Study
Sensors 23(7):3429. doi:10.3390/s23073429.
2022External Factors That Affect the Photoplethysmography Waveforms
SN Applied Sciences 4:21. doi:10.1007/s42452-021-04906-9.
Published version · PDF · 1.4 MB. Unchanged copy hosted by PulseSensor. © 2021 the authors named above. CC BY 4.0. Original citation and source links retained; no endorsement implied.
2022Impact of Sampling Rate and Interpolation on Photoplethysmography and Electrodermal Activity Signals’ Waveform Morphology and Feature Extraction
Neural Computing and Applications. doi:10.1007/s00521-022-07212-6.
2022Visualize Your Pulse With Physical Computing
The Science Teacher 90(2):50–55.
2022Preliminary study: quantification of chronic pain from physiological data
Pain Reports 7(6):e1039. doi:10.1097/pr9.0000000000001039.
This was a preliminary investigation of physiological associations with pain, rather than an established clinical pain-measurement method.
2022Load Position Estimation Method for Wearable Devices Based on Difference in Pulse Wave Arrival Time
Sensors 22(3):1090. doi:10.3390/s22031090.
2020Cardiorespiratory Optimized Guided-Breathing for Post-Stress Recovery in a Group Setting
Master’s thesis, McMaster University. hdl:11375/25887.
2019Low-Noise Photoplethysmography Sensor Using Correlated Double Sampling for Heartbeat Interval Acquisition
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems 13(6):1552–1562. doi:10.1109/TBCAS.2019.2956948.
2018Wearable Hardware Design for the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
Sensors 18(11):3812. doi:10.3390/s18113812.
2018Coverage of Emotion Recognition for Common Wearable Biosensors
Biosensors 8(2):30. doi:10.3390/bios8020030.
Using PulseSensor for research
From reflected light to a raw PPG waveform
PulseSensor is a green-light reflectance photoplethysmograph. Its LED illuminates tissue; a photodetector measures changing reflected light as local blood volume changes; the electronics output a continuously varying analog voltage. PulseSensor Playground samples that waveform at 500 Hz, qualifies beats, measures inter-beat interval (IBI), and derives BPM.
Terminology matters: variability from PPG pulse intervals is most precisely called pulse-rate variability (PRV). It may resemble ECG-derived HRV, but the two are not automatically identical.
What different setups can investigate
Waveform shape, beat timing, PRV, breathing-related variation, pressure, placement, and motion.
Finger vs. ear, left vs. right, shape, amplitude, quality, and relative arrival delay.
Keep one stable PPG or add a synchronized motion or breathing reference.
Study site, symmetry, timing, motion, and quality across documented locations.
Placement, body position, and contact
Body sites do not produce interchangeable waveforms. Record site, side, orientation, attachment method, pressure, posture, and arm position before interpreting a difference as physiological. Doyle paper 13.
Skin, tissue, and optical bias
Melanin, tissue thickness, perfusion, geometry, wavelength, pressure, light, and motion can interact. Preserve raw amplitude and quality, document relevant participant descriptors respectfully, and report failed recordings instead of silently discarding them. Doyle paper 4.
Movement and contact noise
Motion can resemble a pulse, shift the baseline, and disrupt every derived value. When possible, record experiment markers or acceleration on the same clock, then apply a quality rule before reporting results. Doyle paper 41.
Multiple colors and channels
A normal PulseSensor supplies one green optical channel. Multiple ordinary PulseSensors support spatial comparisons and redundancy; true multi-wavelength studies require additional red or infrared optical hardware. Label wavelength and geometry for every channel. Doyle paper 42.
Open-source research roadmap
What the bibliography suggests building next
PulseSensor Playground already provides raw samples, beat detection, pulse amplitude, IBI, BPM, timing, multiple-sensor support, and physical feedback. Dr. Doyle’s bibliography points toward six practical additions.
Recommended first milestone: combine a raw-waveform recorder, signal-quality gate, and RIAV/RIIV/RIFV display. That extends the dependable heartbeat engine without hiding the science.
Minimum record for a reproducible experiment
Save every raw channel with exact timestamps, sensor and wavelength, body site and side, attachment and pressure, posture, instructions, motion markers, ambient-light notes, quality score, relevant participant descriptors, and the reference used for validation. That record lets another person reproduce—or challenge—the result.