Body Composition Algorithm Selection and Integration Guide

Once the module and electrode approach are fixed, the next step is deciding “which result items this module solution can output and how the complete-product controller should integrate it.” For BMH05104-2 / BMH05108 / BMH05109 body composition modules, customers usually do not need to port the algorithm themselves: the module already handles weight measurement, impedance measurement, and the body composition algorithm; the complete product only needs to input user parameters such as height, age, and gender according to the protocol, then read the body composition results. This article proceeds as “how to choose the solution -> what each solution gives -> how to integrate -> when deep technical services such as API / app / custom algorithms are needed,” aimed at manufacturers building body-fat scales, body composition analyzers, and wearables on BestHealth modules.

Three layers of decision: product form, module solution, extended support

Before integrating body composition, answer three questions separately:

1. Product form / electrodes: four or eight electrodes, feet only or both hands and feet, single or multiple frequency. Determines which impedances the module can measure (overall leg-to-leg? segmental limbs?).
2. Module solution / built-in algorithm: different modules and algorithm solutions determine which body composition items can be output. In regular projects, weight measurement, impedance measurement, and body composition calculation are completed by the module.
3. Extended support: if the project needs a WeChat mini-program, customer-owned app, cloud account system, special platform adaptation, or custom algorithms, then evaluate deep technical services such as Web API, Android / iOS, mini-program support, customer-platform adaptation, and paid algorithm customization.

In other words, customers should first confirm the product form and module model. For regular module projects, the complete-product controller only inputs user parameters and reads module outputs according to the protocol; Web API, platform versions, or paid custom algorithms are discussed only for mini-programs, apps, cloud accounts, special platforms, or algorithm customization needs.

Which solutions / algorithms BestHealth provides

BestHealth provides the following module solutions and algorithm capabilities by impedance measurement location, frequency, and product form:

What each algorithm gives: inputs and outputs

Four-electrode algorithms (TwoLegs / TwoArms)

Four-electrode algorithms measure the overall impedance of a single path and output whole-body composition with no segmental data. Taking TwoLegs (leg-to-leg, 50kHz):

• Inputs (6): height, age, gender, user type (general / athlete), weight (measured), 50kHz leg-to-leg impedance (measured).
• Outputs (about 25): water rate, fat mass, protein rate, muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass, bone mass, fat-free mass, subcutaneous fat mass, muscle rate (whole-body composition); fat percentage, BMI, visceral fat level, basal metabolic rate, subcutaneous fat rate (obesity analysis); body type, body score, body age, ideal weight, exercise expenditure (assessment & advice).

TwoArms (arm-to-arm, 50kHz) has the same input/output structure as TwoLegs, just with impedance from the arms.

Eight-electrode dual-frequency algorithm (Body270)

Eight-electrode dual-frequency algorithms measure segmental impedance of the limbs and trunk, greatly increasing the output items. Taking Body270:

• Inputs (14): height, weight, age, gender, plus left arm, right arm, trunk, left leg, and right leg impedance at both 20kHz and 100kHz (10 measured impedances).
• Outputs (about 58): on top of whole-body composition, adds advanced whole-body parameters such as extracellular water, intracellular water, body cell mass, and mineral mass, plus segmental fat rate / fat mass / muscle mass for the limbs and trunk (right arm, left arm, trunk, right leg, left leg), and assessment/obesity items such as weight control, fat control, muscle control, waist-hip ratio, and obesity degree.

Body120 (eight-electrode single-frequency 50kHz) sits between four-electrode solutions and Body270: it has segmental capability but fewer output items and advanced parameters than Body270.

Integration mode: built-in module first, other modes by project

For BMH body composition modules, the default integration mode is using the module built-in algorithm. The customer’s controller does not need to run the body composition algorithm; it only inputs user parameters and reads results according to the communication protocol. Web API, Android / iOS, mini-programs, or customer-platform adaptation are project-specific deep technical services for customer platforms or special business needs, and usually require separate authorization and technical support.

Why prefer the module built-in algorithm: the module already includes the measurement front end, weight measurement, impedance measurement, and body composition calculation. Customers connect the hardware and input height, age, gender, and other parameters according to the protocol, then read the results. This keeps development work lowest and matches the module product positioning.

When extra API / app or custom-algorithm support is needed: if the customer needs a WeChat mini-program, cloud account system, deep integration with a customer-owned app, specific Android / iOS / platform adaptation, or a specific population model, output item, report logic, or certification materials, contact us to evaluate the corresponding version, authorization model, cost, and technical support boundary.

How modules output body composition results

The three modules are not just front-end boards that output raw impedance. For complete-product integration, they already include weight measurement, impedance measurement, and body composition algorithms. Customers connect power, load cells, electrodes, and the communication interface according to the specification, then input height, age, gender, and other user parameters to read body composition results.

• BMH05104-2: four-electrode body composition module for foot-to-foot / hand-to-hand whole-body products, with weight, impedance, and body composition results readable over UART.
• BMH05108: eight-electrode dual-frequency body composition analysis module for segmental scales or analyzers, able to output more complete segmental data and professional parameters.
• BMH05109: eight-electrode 8-frequency body composition analysis module corresponding to the Body810 professional algorithm, suitable for professional analyzers, medical-device projects, or projects requiring more frequency data; specific outputs and interfaces follow the module specification.

Typical data flow: the complete-product controller / app inputs user parameters such as height, age, and gender -> the module completes weight and impedance measurement -> the module built-in algorithm calculates body composition -> the controller reads the result for display / upload.

Selection: fix the solution in three steps

1. First fix the product form and contact site -> determines electrodes and algorithm family: feet only -> TwoLegs; hands only -> TwoArms; both hands and feet, want segments -> Body series.
2. Then fix which items to output -> determines single / dual / 8-frequency solutions: whole-body basics -> four-electrode solution; segmental outputs and professional reports -> eight-electrode dual-frequency solution; more frequency impedance data, phase angle, intra/extracellular water or water-distribution assessment -> eight-electrode 8-frequency solution.
3. Finally decide whether extended support is needed -> regular products use module built-in output directly; mini-program, app, cloud-account, customer-platform adaptation, or custom-algorithm needs should be discussed with BestHealth for Web API, Android / iOS, paid algorithm customization, or other deep technical services.

Accuracy and compliance

The module does not require customers to perform algorithm calibration; the customer’s focus is complete-product structure, electrodes, cabling, weighing, and measurement posture so the module capability can be fully expressed. Against the DEXA gold standard, BestHealth four-electrode solutions can reach about 0.93 correlation, and eight-electrode solutions can reach about 0.98; this is the combined result of the module, structure, electrode contact, cabling, and algorithm working together. BMH05108 / BMH05109 support customer medical-device certification projects, and multiple customers have already completed certification using these modules. Contact us for certification materials, project cases, and integration guidance. If impedance acquisition is faulty, body composition results are also affected; for debugging see How to Use Impedance Data to Troubleshoot BIA Body Composition Measurement.

FAQ

Are the algorithm and module bound together? Can I switch algorithms?

For regular module projects, we recommend using the module built-in algorithm directly: four-electrode modules correspond to whole-body composition output, while eight-electrode modules correspond to segmental body composition output. The module also outputs the original measured values, so customers with their own algorithm can read those raw measurements and calculate results on their side; however, the accuracy, applicable population, output definitions, and certification responsibility of the customer’s own algorithm must be verified by the customer. If the customer needs Web API, an app SDK, a specific algorithm version, or paid algorithm customization, contact us to confirm authorization, interfaces, and technical support scope.

What is the difference between Body120, Body270, and Body810?

All are eight-electrode segmental solutions. Body120 is single-frequency (50kHz) with fewer segmental capabilities and advanced parameters; Body270 is dual-frequency (20kHz & 100kHz), able to separate intra/extracellular water and give more complete segmental fat / muscle and more assessment items; Body810 is an 8-frequency professional algorithm with 1kHz, 5kHz, 20kHz, 50kHz, 100kHz, 250kHz, 500kHz, and 1000kHz, suited to professional analyzers, medical-device projects, and custom projects.

Next step

Once the direction is set, share your product form, target output items, electrode structure, whether you need a mini-program / app / cloud interface, and whether a custom algorithm is required with BestHealth Electronics. For regular module projects, we can provide the matching module specification, communication protocol, host tool, and output-field descriptions. If you need Web API, Android / iOS, mini-programs, customer-platform adaptation, or paid custom algorithms, we can provide authorization and deep technical service options by project.