MIKROE GSR Click

Product Overview

GSR Click can be used to measure the electrodermal activity (EDA) of the human body, also known as the galvanic skin response (GSR). EDA is actually the property of the human body that causes continuous variation in the electrical characteristics of the skin. EDA monitoring is usually combined with the monitoring of the heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, giving a complete insight into some of the parameters of the autonomous nervous systems of the human body.

EDA measurement is a component of modern polygraph devices, often used as lie detectors. Recent research reveals that there is more to EDA than it seems, so the studies continue in that direction. GSR Click is ideally suited to be used as the research and experimenting tool, as well as for building useful test applications based on the EDA response - such as the polygraphs.

EDA is a common measure of autonomic nervous system activity. Skin conductance is not under conscious control, it is autonomously controlled by the sympathetic activity and cognitive and emotional states on a subconscious level. Therefore, the skin electric resistance offers direct insights into autonomous emotional regulation.

The working principle of the GSR Click is based on the voltage divider, composed of two resistors. One resistor is a fixed resistor 100kΩ (R4) and the second resistor is the human skin, which acts as the variable resistor. DC Voltage is applied to the skin via one electrode, connected to the 3.3V rail. The other electrode is used to close the electrical circuit through the skin and back to the Click board™. Depending on the resistance of the skin, the voltage at the voltage divider will vary.

GSR Click uses the MCP607, a dual CMOS low-noise OPAMP made by Microchip, as well as the MCP3201, a 12bit SAR type ADC, made by the same company. The input stage consists of the aforementioned voltage divider and a frequency limiting capacitor. This signal is then fed to the first half of the OPAMP, set to a unity gain. It is used to condition the signal before entering the ADC.

The onboard ADC IC uses the SPI for communication with the MCU. The SPI interface pins are routed to the appropriate mikroBUS™ pins. MCP3201 ADC also needs a clean and stable reference voltage, which is provided by the MCP1541, a small, 3-pin specialized reference voltage IC, from Microchip. The 5V rail is routed to the input of the voltage reference, as well as the VCC pin of the ADC IC and the OPAMP IC. This means that the Click board™ needs both 3.3V and 5V for a proper operation.

The other half of the OPAMP is used as the input buffer for the measured signal and its output is routed to the AN pin of the mikroBUS™. This signal is analog and can be used for either more accurate sampling or for applying some other type of measured signal processing.

GSR Click has an onboard 3.5 mm jack, used to securely connect the electrodes to the board.