Wired connection between Cyton <> PC?

togume · November 2018

Hi there - we're working on a project and would like to consider a wired connection between the board and the PC. I checked out the various hardware specs and also did some forum digging, but came out empty handed.

Is there a way to used wired connections instead of using the "OpenBCI USB dongle using RFDuino radio modules"? If not, there a reason why this is not possible or advisable?

wjcroft · November 2018

Tomas, hi.

See this thread. The V3 Cyton firmware makes this easier. Be sure to use a USB Isolator, for the safety aspects. There are even medical rated ones.

http://openbci.com/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/915/using-wired-usb-connection-with-firmware-2-x-x

The original thread that spawned that,

http://openbci.com/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/712/prospects-for-higher-sample-rates

Actually however, both those threads were from the days when the Wifi Shield did not yet exist. You may find a Wifi connection much easier and faster than usb as well.

https://shop.openbci.com/collections/frontpage/products/wifi-shield

http://openbci.com/forum/index.php?p=/categories/wifi-shield

Regards,

William

togume · November 2018

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, William! And thanks for cultivating a great community in the forums as well - i.e. the "nudge" regarding the bricked device comment.

Great to see that there's a path to a wired connection, including the USB Isolator. Sorry for not finding it on my search pass.

Have you ever heard of any concerns with EMF interference with brain waves? It might be a fun experiment to run with the Cyton using BT, WiFI, and Wired, and see if anything changes.

wjcroft · November 2018

Tomas, hi.

A large portion of consumer, clinical and research EEG equipment is wireless these days. As far as transmitted RF power levels, these can even be down adjusted in some radio modules. But in general Bluetooth is less power than Wifi.

One approach you could consider, is to mount your EEG amplifier / radio transmitter, at a distance from the head, then run EEG electrode leads to the head. For example clip the amp to the shirt front.

I believe most of the studies below were done using much higher power levels,

https://www.google.com/search?q=emf+effect+on+eeg

Regards,

William

togume · November 2018

2 for 2. Thanks, William. And likely the right approach is to use the WiFi + longer cables away from the head.

Have a lovely night,

-Tomás

Wired connection between Cyton <> PC?

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