Upside Down Labs Muscle BioAmp Blip (Assembled) - mikroBUS™ EMG Sensor Module w/ Cable & Electrodes

The Muscle BioAmp Blip requires a 5V power supply for its analog front-end circuitry. The output signal is an analog voltage referenced to this 5V rail. It can be safely read by a 3.3V logic ADC input on microcontrollers like the Raspberry Pi Pico or ESP32, as the output voltage swing typically remains within the 0-3.3V range after proper signal conditioning. Always ensure your ADC's input voltage range is not exceeded.

The sensor uses a differential input configuration. Connect the active muscle site to the positive input, a nearby electrically quiet location (or a second muscle site for differential measurement) to the negative input, and a neutral reference point (often a bony prominence like the elbow) to the reference pin. This setup maximizes the desired EMG signal while rejecting common-mode noise. The included BioAmp cable and snap connectors simplify these connections to standard gel electrodes.

Yes, but the connection method differs. For an Arduino Uno, you would typically bypass the mikroBUS socket and connect the module's output pin directly to an analog input (A0-A5), and provide 5V and GND. For a Raspberry Pi Pico (3.3V logic), you can use a mikroBUS carrier board or wire it directly, ensuring the Pico's ADC pin can handle the 0-5V analog signal (often requiring a voltage divider). The sensor itself does not communicate via I2C or SPI; it provides a raw analog voltage output.

The integrated bandpass filter is crucial for EMG signal integrity. The 72 Hz high-pass cutoff removes low-frequency artifacts like baseline wander, electrode drift, and movement artifacts. The 720 Hz low-pass cutoff attenuates high-frequency noise from power lines (50/60 Hz harmonics), RF interference, and muscle tremor frequencies beyond the primary EMG spectrum. This filtered bandwidth is optimal for capturing the core energy of surface EMG signals, resulting in a cleaner, more interpretable output.

The kit includes the core hardware: the assembled Muscle BioAmp Blip module, a 1-meter connection cable, six disposable gel electrodes, and an adjustable fabric band for electrode placement. You will need to supply a development board (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi) with an ADC input for signal digitization, a USB cable for power/data, and a computer with serial monitor or data logging software. The open-source libraries and example code provided by Upside Down Labs facilitate quick software setup.