This document describes a project to design a heart beat monitor using an optical finger tip sensor and FPGA. The objectives are to detect heartbeats without needing to visit a doctor. An introduction explains how medical devices like ECGs are commonly used but cannot be used independently by patients. The document outlines that an FPGA will be used due to benefits like reprogrammability. It provides details on the Spartan 3e FPGA and includes a block diagram of the hardware design. The design will use an IR LED and optical sensor to detect heartbeats, which will be conditioned and sent to the FPGA for processing. A flow chart shows the timing and counting logic. A timeline is provided for completing literature review, coding