PSoC-Based Embedded Instrumentation and Processing of sEMG Signals

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to design and implement embedded instrumentation and processing for sEMG signal. This embedded system is based on PSoC reconfigurable technology. The methodological approach followed consists of two aspects. A theoretical aspect aims to identify sEMG signal proprieties and characterize the key performances of electromyography instrumentation. And a practical aspect demonstrates the design and the implementation of this instrumentation. Indeed, the sEMG signal is acquired and conditioned following three essential operations namely, differential amplification, filtering, and Analog-to-Digital conversion. The digital processing is implemented by the elaboration of an algorithm allowing sEMG signal temporal feature extraction. Besides, a test is established firstly with a signal generator based on NI ELVIS II + and LabVIEW, and secondly with an experimental test on a real subject based on surface electrodes. The results obtained correspond to those desired, indicating that the system can be developed by implementing other advanced signal processing techniques for extracting other time and frequency parameters for an efficient sEMG signal analysis. PSoC reconfigurable technology offers a framework for designing practical instrumentation and processing of sEMG signals with a minimum of external circuitry and has prospects in biomedical instrumentation development.