BrainFlow Signal

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Signal Acquisition

BrainFlow BioBoards

Global

Standard EventIDE license

In this article:

Introduction
Main Features
Supported Bio-Amplifiers
Properties
Practical Use
Notes
Example

Introduction

The BrainFlow Signal element provides a direct connection between EventIDE and a wide range of biosignal acquisition boards supported by the BrainFlow library, such as EEG, EMG, and ECG devices. It enables real-time data streaming, configuration of acquisition parameters, and integration of signals into EventIDE’s analysis pipeline.

This element is ideal for neuroscience, psychophysiology, BCI, and biomedical experiments requiring synchronized biosignal input. It can also emulate signals for testing purposes when hardware is not connected.

Main Features

Direct BrainFlow Integration – Supports a wide range of EEG, EMG, ECG, and other biosignal boards.
Multiple Connection Modes – Configure serial, TCP/IP, or file-based streaming.
Signal Generator – Simulate biosignals for development and testing without hardware.
Channel Selection – Choose which channels are registered in EventIDE’s signal pool.
Runtime Control – Reset buffers and acquisition without restarting the experiment.

Supported Bio-Amplifiers

OpenBCI Cyton (EEG/EMG/ECG)

OpenBCI Cyton Daisy (EEG/EMG/ECG)

OpenBCI Ganglion (EEG/EMG/ECG)

OpenBCI Cyton (Wi‑Fi) (EEG/EMG/ECG)

OpenBCI Ganglion (Wi‑Fi) (EEG/EMG/ECG)

BrainBit (EEG)

Callibry (EMG/ECG/RESP)

g.tec Unicorn Hybrid Black (EEG)

Neurosity Crown (EEG)

OYMotion gForcePro Armband (EMG/IMU)

FreeEEG32 (EEG)

Muse S (EEG/PPG/ACC)

Muse 2 (EEG/PPG/ACC)

Muse 2016 (EEG/ACC)

ANT Neuro eego mylab (EEG)

Enophone (EEG)

BrainAlive Headset (EEG)

Mentalab Explore 4ch (EEG)

Mentalab Explore 8ch (EEG)

EmotiBit (EDA/PPG/ACC/TEMP)

PiEEG (EEG/EMG/ECG)

Properties

Name	Description	Property Class	Type
Query Board Info	Retrieves and displays information about the selected board.	Design	String
Board Model	Defines the model of the selected board.	Design	Int32
Board Preset	Defines the index of the board preset, when supported.	Design	Int32
COM Port	Name of the serial port, if the board is connected via COM.	Design	String
Timeout (ms)	Connection timeout in milliseconds.	Design	Int32
IP Protocol	Network protocol (e.g., 0 for IP_TCP).	Design	Int32
IP Address	Board IP address for network connection.	Design	String
IP Port	Network port number.	Design	Int32
Ancillary IP Port	IP port number for ancillary communication.	Design	Int32
Auxiliary IP Port	IP port number for auxiliary communication.	Design	Int32
MAC Address	Board MAC address.	Design	String
Master Board ID	ID of the master board.	Design	Int32
Serial Number	Serial number of the board.	Design	String
Data File	Path to the main data file.	Design	String
Auxiliary Data File	Path to the auxiliary data file.	Design	String
Ancillary Data File	Path to the ancillary data file.	Design	String
Signal Generator	Enables generation of synthetic signals instead of using hardware. Useful for test runs.	Design	Boolean
Emulated Sampling Rate	Sampling rate (Hz) for emulated or file-streamed data.	Design	Double
Primary Frequency	Frequency (Hz) of the primary rhythm in the generated signal. Set to 0 to exclude.	Design	Double
Secondary Frequency	Frequency (Hz) of the secondary rhythm (half the magnitude of the primary). Set to 0 to exclude.	Design	Double
Noise Level	Noise level (% of primary frequency magnitude) added to the generated signal. Set to 0 to exclude noise.	Design	Double
Selected Channels	List of channels selected for acquisition in EventIDE. These are registered in the signal pool.	Design	List`1
Selected Channel Count	Number of currently selected channels.	Status	Int32
Total Channel Count	Total number of channels available for acquisition.	Status	Int32
Buffer Size	Size (samples) of the circular buffer storing incoming data.	Design	Int32
Reset Signals Now	Runtime command to reset signal buffers and data acquisition.	Runtime Command	Boolean
Is Enabled	If set to false, the element is completely omitted when the experiment is run.	Design	Boolean
Title	Title of the element.	Design	String

Practical Use

Live Biosignal Acquisition

Connect a BrainFlow-supported board and configure the Board Model and Connection Settings.
Select channels in Selected Channels to make them available for analysis.
Stream the data in real time into EventIDE’s signal processing elements.

Signal Emulation for Testing

Enable Signal Generator.
Configure Emulated Sampling Rate, Primary/Secondary Frequencies, and Noise Level.
Run experiments without requiring connected hardware.

Notes

Use Reset Signals Now to clear buffers if acquisition needs to restart mid-experiment.
The Signal Generator mode is helpful for debugging experiment logic before moving to real hardware.
For high-frequency sampling, ensure Buffer Size is large enough to prevent data loss.

Example

You might select EEG channels 1 or 2 in Selected Channels, enable the Signal Generator for pre-testing, and later switch to a live board model with identical acquisition parameters to ensure a seamless transition to hardware recording.