Stable EMG Sensing During Motion – in a Single Chip
Wearables for AgeTech, rehabilitation, and gesture control share a fundamental design challenge: surface EMG signals are weak, highly susceptible to motion artifacts, and traditionally require complex discrete circuitry. The AKM AK05611 addresses this by combining an EMG analog front-end, bioimpedance (BioZ) measurement, and Motion Artifact Cancellation (MAC) in a single package measuring just 1.564 × 2.705 mm.
The integrated MAC function uses simultaneously acquired BioZ data to actively suppress motion-induced interference in the EMG signal path. This approach enables reliable EMG measurements during physical activity – a prerequisite for gesture recognition and health monitoring applications in wearable form factors where discrete filtering stages are not feasible.
Key Technical Specifications
The AK05611 consolidates functions that would typically require multiple discrete components into one compact IC. The key specifications at a glance:
- Single-chip integration of EMG and BioZ analog front-end functions
- Motion Artifact Cancellation (MAC) using BioZ data to reduce motion-induced noise
- Input-referred noise: 1.23 µVrms (EMG) and 0.45 µVrms (BioZ) – comparable to discrete instrumentation amplifier implementations
- Programmable sampling frequency from 0.25 to 4 kHz
- Interfaces: I²C or SPI; up to 32 channels via SPI for multi-point measurement systems
- Supply voltage: 1.8 V; power consumption: 1.3 mW
- Package: 24-pin CSP, 1.564 × 2.705 mm
The input-referred noise of 1.23 µVrms in the EMG path is low enough to capture fine muscle activity patterns relevant for distinguishing subtle gestures or for early detection of muscle weakness. At 1.3 mW power consumption, the IC fits directly into battery-powered wearable designs without requiring additional thermal management measures. The CSP footprint allows integration into the tightest PCB layouts found in smartwatches, health bands, and AI glasses.
Gesture Recognition with AI from Aizip
An application example shows how the AK05611 pairs with efficient AI software: AKM and Aizip have presented a gesture recognition platform in which the AK05611, housed in a wristband, captures forearm EMG signals. Aizip's AI models interpret these signals as gestures such as a closed hand, an open hand or a single tap. This combination of compact hardware and on-device inference is particularly relevant for AI glasses and smartwatches, where both board space and energy budgets are tightly constrained.
At the same time, the scalability to up to 32 channels via SPI opens the path to multi-point measurement systems for more detailed muscle mapping in rehabilitation or clinical research applications – all using the same IC, without requiring a platform change as system requirements grow.
Typical Application Areas
The AK05611 targets a broad range of applications across the wearable and healthcare technology space and the medical and elderly care segment:
- AgeTech wearables: Continuous muscle activity monitoring to support frailty and sarcopenia management, as well as rehabilitation progress tracking
- Activity and health monitoring: Integration into smartwatches and health bands for movement quality assessment and muscle fatigue detection
- Gesture-based control: Touchless operation of AI glasses, smartwatches, and controllers via EMG-based gesture recognition
- Research and rehabilitation: Multi-channel EMG systems for clinical studies and therapeutic applications requiring detailed spatial muscle data
Across all these use cases, the AK05611 reduces system complexity compared to discrete designs, shortens development time, and lowers the barrier for integrating clinical-grade EMG sensing into consumer-oriented form factors.
Availability and Design-In Support at Atlantik Elektronik
Samples of the AK05611 are available through Atlantik Elektronik; please contact us for the current delivery status. As a distribution and development partner since 1977, Atlantik Elektronik supports engineering teams from the first sample through to series production. Field Application Engineers (FAEs) provide hands-on guidance for circuit integration, complementary component selection, and signal path optimization – across manufacturers and tailored to individual project requirements.
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AK05611 EMG/BioZ Analog Front-End IC – AKM AK05611
Lead time on requestFrequently Asked Questions about the AKM AK05611
How does the AK05611 reduce motion artifacts in EMG measurements?
The IC integrates a Motion Artifact Cancellation (MAC) function that uses simultaneously acquired bioimpedance (BioZ) data to actively suppress motion-induced interference in the EMG signal path. This enables stable EMG measurements even during physical activity, without requiring additional external filtering components.
How many EMG channels does the AK05611 support, and can it be scaled?
Via the SPI interface, systems can reach up to 32 channels; alternatively, the IC is controlled via I²C. This makes the IC suitable for both compact gesture recognition wearables and larger multi-point measurement systems used in rehabilitation and clinical research.
How is the AK05611 available, and how can I request samples?
Please contact us for the current delivery status. Evaluation samples can already be requested through the Atlantik Elektronik ATE-Store. FAE support is included for B2B design-in projects, covering integration guidance from initial evaluation through to series readiness.
Request AKM AK05611 Evaluation Samples Now
Secure early access to AK05611 samples and start your design-in process with dedicated FAE support from Atlantik Elektronik.
