Differential Input Support?

Does the OpenBCI board/ADS1299 support differential input configuration. For instance, am I able to reference N1P against N2P? Or are the only reference pins SRB1/2?

Thanks,
Kevin

Comments

  • biomurphbiomurph Brooklyn, NY
    The ADS1299 supports differential inputs, but only on the individual channels.
    You can reference N1P against N1N.
    The SRB pins are connected/disconnected by the internal multiplexer. 

    SRB1 is optionally connected to ALL or NONE of the N channels. (not able to individually select channels for SRB1 connection)
    When SRB1 is connected to the N channels, the N inputs are DISCONNECTED (no signal on the N pin will get to the channel, only route is SRB1

    The SRB2 is optionally connected to EACH of the P channels (individually select which channels you want to connect to SRB2)
    When SRB2 is connected to a P channel, the P input is STILL CONNECTED (signal on the P pin will get to the channel)

    The diagram on page 16 of the datasheet is a good illustration of how the SRB connections work

    I think if you want to reference channel 1 against channel 2, you will have to do that in software using the ADS output values.
    Someone here will correct me if I'm wrong....
  • edited March 2015
    Thanks biomurph. I only offered N1P against N2P as an example. It's good to know that differential input configuration only works within channel number (i.e. N1P against N1N). To further clarify, in order to use a differential input scheme, we must be sure to disconnect all N inputs from SRB1. Is this correct? Also, if not using the N pins at all, do you recommend connecting them all to SRB1? Would they otherwise be serving as a reference to the P channel without a body derived signal?
  • biomurphbiomurph Brooklyn, NY
    If you want to use a differential input scheme for each individual channel, then you should disconnect from SRB1 and SRB2, and depending on what you're doing, you might want to not include some channels in the BIAS drive...

    I don't understand your question about not using the N inputs. You need to measure the P inputs against something...
    the SRB pins essentially allow you to 'gang' the P or N pins together to easily attach to a single reference electrode.
  • Suppose an electrode is connected to N1P and N1P is connected to SRB2 which also has an electrode connected. What effect will the signal coming into N1N have on this circuit? Will the effect differ if N1N is connected or disconnected from SRB1 assuming no electrode is connected to N1N?
  • biomurphbiomurph Brooklyn, NY
    This sounds like a great project!

    Seriously, the effect of attaching multiple electrodes through the N and P channel inputs in addition to the SRB inputs at the same time is crying out for empirical study. I honestly have no idea what would happen, but it is very unlikely that you will break anything in the process of testing it out.


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