Non-linear amplification of electromyographic signals with particular application to human chewing.

A method is described for logarithmically-amplifying electromyographic signals so that the most commonly-occurring events within them are enhanced selectively before digital conversion. There is a need to resolve low and intermediate levels of activity during chewing, while preserving the occasional high-level responses. Besides achieving a higher resolution in subsequent digital sampling, this signal-processing technique increased the representation of low and intermediate activities in polygraphic displays. It further ensured that signals were presented to the A/D converter within the code width of the instrument.