Evaluating Low-Cost Alternatives in ECG Front-End Systems: A Performance Comparison of AD8232 with High-End BIOPAC MP160

The growing demand for portable and cost-effective electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring systems has led to the exploration of low-power, budget-friendly alternatives to high-precision clinical devices. This study evaluates the performance of the AD8232, a widely available analog front-end (AFE) module, in comparison to the BIOPAC MP160, a research-grade ECG system. The primary objective is to assess the AD8232's accuracy in capturing ECG signals across both time and frequency domains, determining its feasibility for portable monitoring applications. ECG data were collected from two adult subjects under controlled conditions to ensure consistency. Key parameters analyzed include R-R intervals, heart rate variability, corrected QT interval, PR interval, QRS width, QT interval, and ST interval. Preliminary results indicate that while both devices effectively capture essential ECG features, the AD8232 exhibits greater variability in repeated measurements compared to the MP160. AD8232 demonstrates comparable performance for single-lead ECG measurements and offers significant power efficiency, reinforcing its potential for health monitoring solutions. This study provides insights into the trade-offs between affordability, power efficiency, and data reliability in ECG monitoring. The findings aim to guide researchers and developers in designing cost-effective, portable ECG systems while addressing the limitations of low-cost alternatives.