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Abstract
The aim of this review is to present the state of the art of the technology of detection
and conditioning systems for surface electromyography (sEMG). The first part of the
manuscript focuses on the sEMG electrode system technology: the electrode classification,
impedance, noise, transfer function, the spatial filtering effect of surface electrode
configurations, the effects of electrode geometry, and location on the recorded sEMG
signal. Examples of experimental sEMG signals are provided to show the potential value
of high-density sEMG electrode grids and multichannel amplifiers that allow to add
spatial information to the temporal information content of the sEMG signal. Furthermore,
the results of a simple simulation are reported, in order to emphasize the effects
of the subcutaneous tissue layers and of the detection volume on the recorded sEMG
signal. The second part of the manuscript focuses on the sEMG amplifier technology:
the front end amplifier characteristics for signal conditioning, the methods for stimulation
artifact reduction, filtering methods, safety requirements, and the methods for analog-to-digital
conversion of the sEMG signal.