OpenBCI Board vs Arduino Uno

AggieArduinoAggieArduino Texas
edited April 2016 in Other Platforms
Can someone explain to me the difference between the OpenBCI board sold on this website vs a standard Arduino Uno? I wanted to use an Arduino Uno with the OpenBCI software GUI, is that possible? Or is it necessary to use the OpenBCI board to use the OpenBCI software GUI?

Thank you for any help, I'm very new to all this and it's pretty overwhelming. 

Comments

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA
    Aggie, hi.

    The OpenBCI board (32 bit) has a development environment that is compatible with Arduino, but not identical. It's from Microchip, called chipKIT. You need to have the OpenBCI hardware to use the OpenBCI_GUI and other software described on the OpenBCI site. The mainboard also comes with a 'dongle', small usb board, which is needed for the radio link between the laptop and OpenBCI. So your Uno does not have the required elements. OpenBCI is not a shield you can put on your Uno.

    The Ganglion board, due out this summer, will eliminate the dongle and and allow direct connection using Bluetooth.

    William


  • AggieArduinoAggieArduino Texas
    Thank you for the information William, this was exactly what I was looking for! So just to clarify, there is no way that I could use my Arduino Uno, combine it with a couple other parts, and try to make my "own" OpenBCI board so that way I could use the OpenBCI GUI? The only possible way to use the OpenBCI GUI is by purchasing the OpenBCI board. This is because the OpenBCI board is not an Arduino, it is only compatible with Ardunio. The OpenBCI GUI was not designed to run with Arduino. The OpenBCI GUI was designed to run with the Microchip (OpenBCI board).

    (Sorry If my wording seemed redundant in some areas, just trying to make sure I understand exactly what you're telling me. Thanks again for your help!)
  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA
    > The OpenBCI GUI was not designed to run with Arduino. The OpenBCI GUI was designed to run with the Microchip (OpenBCI board).

    The key elements here are the other components on the OpenBCI mainboard, not so much the Arduino compatibility / differences. Those elements are: the Texas Instruments ADS1299 Analog to Digital converter chip (specialized for EEG), the SDcard, the accelerometer, the radio link via RFduinos / dongle, the form factor, the unique OpenBCI firmware, etc.

    If you are interested in making your own EEG system, using similar components to those above -- look thorugh the topic "Other Platforms".

    http://www.openbci.com/forum/index.php?p=/categories/other-platforms

    William
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