PsyPhy Signal
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Signal Acquisition
PsyPhy
Global
no
no
XAML Impedance Plot
Available in EventIDE for PsyPhy only
In this article:
The PsyPhy Signal element provides direct integration with the PsyPhy amplifier for real-time biosignal acquisition in EventIDE. It allows researchers to capture EEG and other physiological data streams via network protocol, configure channels, monitor impedance, and use test signal generation when hardware is unavailable.
The element supports WiFi strength control to minimize interference, impedance visualization through a live XAML plot, and robust runtime commands for reconnecting or resetting signal buffers. Acquired channels are automatically registered in the EventIDE signal pool, making them available for downstream signal processing, real-time monitoring, adaptive experiment control, and logging.
Key Features
Direct acquisition of EEG and biosignals from PsyPhy amplifier.
Configurable sampling rate, network protocol, and channel selection.
Impedance monitoring with live visualization for electrode quality check.
Adjustable WiFi strength to reduce EEG interference.
Built-in signal generator for testing without hardware.
Runtime control: reconnect, reset signals, check impedance.
Integration with EventIDE’s full signal analysis and logging workflow.
Properties
Name | Description | Property Class | Type | On runtime change |
PsyPhy Settings | ||||
PsyPhy IP | Defines the IP address of the PsyPhy amplifier | Design | String | – |
Sampling Rate | Defines the sampling rate of the PsyPhy amplifier | Design | Int32 | – |
Network Protocol | Defines the network protocol for streaming from the PsyPhy amplifier | Design | Int32 | – |
Channel Settings | Opens a window with the PsyPhy channel settings | Runtime Command | Boolean | ✔ |
Check Impedance Now | Opens a window showing the current impedance values | Runtime Command | Boolean | ✔ |
Sample Type | Defines the type (raw or calibrated) of recorded samples | Design | Int32 | – |
WiFi Strength | Defines relative WiFi signal strength of the amplifier; weaker signal may reduce EEG interference | General | Int32 | ✔ |
Impedance Range | Defines normalization range for impedance values (kΩ) mapped to red–green gradient on impedance plot | General | clRange | ✔ |
XAML Impedance Plot | Live plot of impedance per electrode for embedding into a ContentControl (UI visualization) | General | UIElem | ✔ |
Runtime Control | ||||
Reconnect Now | Reconnects the amplifier and resumes recording | Runtime Command | Boolean | ✔ |
Missed Samples | Total number of missed samples during current recording | Design | UInt64 | – |
Reset Signals Now | Resets signal buffers and acquisition | Runtime Command | Boolean | ✔ |
Signal Generator | ||||
Signal Generator | Enables simulated signals (oscillatory generator) instead of hardware input | Design | Boolean | – |
Emulated Sampling Rate | Sampling rate for emulated signals (samples/sec) | Design | Double | – |
Primary Frequency | Primary rhythm frequency (Hz); set 0 to exclude | Design | Double | – |
Secondary Frequency | Secondary rhythm frequency (Hz, half of primary magnitude); set 0 to exclude | Design | Double | – |
Noise Level | Noise level (% of primary magnitude); set 0 to exclude | Design | Double | – |
Channel Configuration | ||||
Selected Channels | Defines which channels are selected for acquisition; selected channels are registered in EventIDE signal pool | Design | List`1 | – |
Selected Channel Count | Number of channels currently selected | Status | Int32 | – |
Total Channel Count | Total available channels on device | Status | Int32 | – |
Buffer Size | Size (in samples) of circular buffer for incoming signal | Design | Int32 | – |
Control | ||||
Is Enabled | If false, element is omitted when running the experiment | Design | Boolean | – |
Title | Title of the element | Design | String | – |
Practical Use
The PsyPhy Signal element is typically the entry point of the signal processing pipeline in EventIDE. Acquired signals can be monitored live, processed in real time, or logged for offline analysis.
Standard pipeline:
PsyPhy Signal → signal acquisition from amplifier (or generator mode for testing)
Signal Processing element (e.g., Single Channel Analyzer) → filtering, detection, phase estimation
Signal Logging (Signal File Writer) → synchronized data storage
Technique 1 – Real EEG Experiment Setup
Add the PsyPhy Signal element into your experiment.
Configure IP address, sampling rate, and selected channels.
Check electrode impedance using the live impedance plot, accessible through the “Check Impedance Now” property of the PsyPhy Signal element.
Acquire signals in real time and pass them to signal processing elements.
Log the processed signals using Signal File Writer for later analysis.
Technique 2 – Test Run with Signal Generator
Enable the Signal Generator property.
Set desired sampling rate, primary/secondary frequencies, and noise level.
Run the experiment to test processing and logging pipelines without hardware.
Adjust processing parameters before switching to real amplifier input.
Notes
Ensure proper sampling rate and buffer size settings for high-frequency EEG.
Use WiFi Strength control to balance connectivity and EEG quality.
Use impedance check before running experiments to validate electrode quality.
For testing without hardware, enable the Signal Generator with chosen frequencies and noise levels.
Video
Watch this video tutorial of a full experimental build.