Interfacing MAX30100 Pulse Oximeter and Heart Rate Sensor with Arduino

The Interfacing MAX30100 Pulse Oximeter and Heart Rate Sensor with Arduino project relies on optical sensing principles to measure blood oxygen saturation and heart rate. The MAX30100 sensor module integrates two LEDs—one emitting red light and the other infrared light—along with a photodetector. When a finger is placed over the sensor, the light passes through the tissue, and the photodetector measures the varying amounts of light reflected or absorbed by pulsating arterial blood. Because oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin absorb different wavelengths of light differently, the sensor captures these tiny optical fluctuations with every heartbeat. The MAX30100 digitizes these readings internally and communicates the data to the Arduino board over the I2C protocol, using dedicated clock and data lines. Powered via the breadboard and connected with jumper wires, the Arduino processes the incoming sensor data. Using the Arduino IDE, the system translates these raw optical signals into readable metrics for heart rate and SpO2 levels, allowing hobbyists to observe real-time vital signs directly through serial communication or connected displays.