Pocket Neurobics Wiz Series User manual

v3.2 - first draft - added USB & concurrent wireless transport mode
v3.3 - second draft - added E/H/W/N Wi to product suite
v3.4 – first release - edits
v3.5 – summary specification added
v4.0 – Summary, PC Commands: Electrode Impedance Measurement, Electrode off detection
v4.1 – Commanding the Wi : BioExplorer, BioEra, Wi Central
1 Quick Start
•Install PC Application (BioExplorer, BioEra etc) - needs to be latest version, see copy on CD
•plug Q/E/H-wi into USN port and allow Windows to search for Pocket Neurobics driver in it's
on-line repository
•or, for W/N-wi , plug PN wireless dongle into USB port
•as part of the Windows driver installation procedure, note the COM port number assigned to
the Pocket Neurobics device by Windows
•only if driver installation fails, try the manual driver executable on the PN CD under 'utilities'
•transfer illustrative BioExplorer and BioEra designs into respective directories on your PC
•transfer media resources, video and audio files, into respective directories on your PC
•open the PC Application, go to Device Configuration, enable the "PN Wi " driver, and
configure it for the COM port assigned by Windows
•open the illustrative design "Wi _Test"
With successful installation, the Application should show the Wi 's start-up test sequence for the seconds
immediately after it is powered on. This is, for ExG channels, four tones, each of one second duration, of 4, 8,
16 and 32H ., and for HEG channels values alternating about the nominal value of 100, namely 99.0 and
101.0, each for 1 second duration.
2 Sections
Table of Contents
1 Quick Start.........................................................................................................................................1
2Sections...............................................................................................................................................1
3Summary.............................................................................................................................................2
4Important Information........................................................................................................................3
5 Feature Set ........................................................................................................................................4
6 Overview...........................................................................................................................................4
7 uttons................................................................................................................................................6
8LED Indicators...................................................................................................................................9
9Connecting to PC: Wireless and US Transport.............................................................................11
10 Modes............................................................................................................................................12
11 EEG Electrode Interface................................................................................................................12
Wiz
by Pocket Neurobics
Bio-Signal Acquisition since 2000
USER MANUAL

12 HEG Interface................................................................................................................................13
13 Other Sensors.................................................................................................................................13
14 8-LED Display (Q/E/H-wiz).........................................................................................................14
15 EEG Cap Interface (Q-wiz only)...................................................................................................14
16 Poor Signal Detection....................................................................................................................16
17 Test Signals...................................................................................................................................17
18 Saving Configurations...................................................................................................................17
19 Fail-safe Mode...............................................................................................................................17
20 Commanding the Wiz – ioExplorer............................................................................................18
21Commanding the Wiz – ioEra.....................................................................................................19
22 Commanding the Wiz – Wiz Central App (in development)........................................................21
23Fault Finding..................................................................................................................................22
EEG......................................................................................................................................22
HEG......................................................................................................................................23
OTHER.................................................................................................................................23
24Summary Specification..................................................................................................................24
3 Summary
The Wi suite of products support EEG, ECG, EMG, SCP, HEG (nIR & pIR) and Pulse Oximetry bio-signal
acquisition. They require software such as BioExplorer (PC) and BioEra (Tablet), together with sensors –
electrodes for ExG, headbands for HEG, or a Pulse Oximeter – to complete a biofeedback system.
All products in the suite utilise the latest 24-bit precision technology. All ExG products feature user selection
of DC or AC coupling, linking of reference electrodes, electrode impedance measurement, and individual
electrode-off indications. Electrode impedance measurement can be real-time, concurrent with training. All
HEG products feature auto base-lining to a common, nominal value of 100. This allows swapping easily
between the various HEG modalities without the need for changing protocols and feedback presentation
settings. For the oximetry based modalities, the constituent IR and Red signals are separately available.
The Wi product suite has been designed to allow the common, simple tasks such as one-channel EEG or
HEG training to be initiated with a minimum of fuss. Few buttons, no menus. If a HEG headband is plugged in
then the Wi will automatically recognise what type of headband it is and adjust accordingly. With no HEG
headbands connected, the Wi defaults to EEG. For single channel training, irrespective of the modality, the
signal will appear at the software as channel 1.
The Wi products can function as simple bio-signal sources for biofeedback software. However increasingly
the binding between the hardware and the software is becoming stronger. For example, some functions on
Wi products are instigated only by commands from the PC application, they cannot be access through the
buttons on the device itself. Moreover the U-wi and X-wi products have no buttons, so basic functions like
Power on/off appear as buttons on the biofeedback software. This binding with the software extends to
managing different modalities: changes in the use of a channel, from say EEG to HEG are advised to the
software which can reconfigure automatically – no changes in driver, indeed a single design can be created to
handle multiple modalities.
Most Wi devices can connect to a PC or tablet via USB or wireless – and some can do both concurrently.
However in general products are designed to operate principally with one or other transport mechanism.
Products that can transmit over USB and wireless concurrently allow for multi-seat training room situations:
training can occur over a robust USB link to a PC or Tablet, and a central Monitoring point can monitor the
signals from the multiple seats over a wireless link. Up to 8 seats can be supported in this fashion.
The Q-wi is capable of 4 bio-signal channels. These can be 4 ExG signals or a combination of ExG and
HEG, or HEG only. It is the preferred product when both ExG and HEG modalities are required. It can also
interface to a 19 or 21-ch eeg cap, where a mix of 4 eeg channels is selected from the 21 available. The

selection of eeg channels can be adjusted on the fly. This makes it particularly suited to speedy assessment
procedures like the Van Deusen TLC assessment.
The E-wi and the H-wi are 2 channel devices for ExG and HEG respectively. They are the robust
workhorses of the suite. They feature a battery compartment for 2x AA batteries, although they operate
equally well from direct USB power. This powering arrangement is particularly advantageous for Tablet
based systems where the Wi will only draw power from the Tablet once it's own internal batteries have
expired. If batteries are used, these units are equally at home being used wirelessly. The range is up to 5
meters.
The U-wi and the X-wi are miniature, low cost, USB centric devices - although both can also operate
wirelessly. They do not have buttons, relying on the software to supply commands to change modes etc.
They are the product of choice where cost matters, and are particularly suited to multi-seat training room
applications or home-training programs. They can sit neatly along-side a Tablet and derive their power from
that tablet. Although miniature, they have most of the features of the larger products including, for ExG, EIM,
AC/DC coupling, and linking of references, and for HEG, both nIR and pIR modalities with auto-baselining.
The R-wi and the N-wi are miniature, wearable units for ExG and nIR HEG respectively. They are wireless
only, operating from a single AAA battery. They are the product of choice where the electronics need to be
integrated into the headband such as in some sports performance applications.
More information can be found on the accompanying CD or alternatively on the website. Look for sample
designs, help on using products for assessment, and other resources like videos for feedback presentation
etc.. There are also introductory video tutorials.
4 Important Information
Wi products attach to the body. In the case of ExG modalities they attach to the body with electrical
conductance. All Wi products are isolated from mains electrical power in accordance with standards.
However caution needs to be exercised that electrode leads cannot come into contact with any electrical
power source.
Should sensors be shared amongst individuals then steps need to be taken to ensure there cannot be
transference of communicable diseases. Users should acquaint themselves with any Best Practice
statements accompanying the specific sensor. There is an article on the accompanying PN CD that
describes the potential risks and suitable ameliorating procedures. If the equipment is to be shared, please
read that article.
Precautions need to be commensurate with risk. HEG sensors are generally not high risk, and an occasional
wipe-down with an alcohol rub is sufficient. The nIR HEG sensor can be used with tissues between the
headband and forehead. Electrodes on the other hand can be high risk in some circumstances and specific
precautions are required. There are two standards of care to apply depending on whether “prepping” of the
skin is done or not. Prepping is a process of abraiding the skin to improve electrical connection of the
electrode to the skin. With modern amplifiers this is rarely needed - we specifically recommend that no
prepping be done. If prepping is done, and the skin barrier is compromised, then a much higher standard of
care is required.
No Prepping
•electrodes should be thoroughly washed in hot, soapy water between uses
•alternatively disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes should be used
Prepping
•Electrodes are to be autoclaved between uses. Users need to acquaint themselves with standards
that apply to this process
•alternatively one-time use disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes are to be used

In the case of EEG caps, the manufacturer supplies a plastic syringe to apply conductive gel to the
electrodes. This syringe is not to be brought into contact with the scalp in an effort to improve electrical
connection. If it is, then the standard of care under Prepping above is to apply.
Should use of Wi products induce head-aches or di iness, please cease use and consult a qualified
biofeedback practitioner before resuming training.
5 Feature Set
FeatureSet Wi Model: Q E H U X R N
Modes 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Maximum sampling rate per slot 512sps 512sps 128sps 512sps 128sps 512sps 128sps
4 bio-signal channels X
2 bio-signal channels + 2 status channels X X X X X X X
EEG/ECG/EMG/SCP X X X X
NIR/PIR/Pulse X X X
NIR X X X X
Wireless &/or USB X X X X X
Wireless only (8 wireless channels, 5m range) X X
EEG 21-ch Cap Interface & Control X
Real-time 8-LED display of signal on Slot 1 X X X
24-bit resolution X X X X
16-bit resolution X X X
DC-coupled (under User control) X X X X
Linking of Reference electrodes (user control) X X X X
Auto-baselining of HEG X X X X
Auto detection of Headband connection X X X X
Auto configuration of Slots for AC, DC signals X X X X
Detection of electrode lead-off X X X X
Electrode Impedance Measurement X X X X
Detection of poor signal X X X X X X X
Vibration to signify system warning X
Vibration when HEG baseline achieved X
Most functions under PC control X X X X X X X
Remembers configuration X X X X X X X
Self-test at startup X X X X X X X
Signal Generator Mode X X X X X X X
Firmware Upgradeable X X X X X X X
Failsafe Mode X X X X X X X
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 O er iew
The Wi is a bio-signal acquisition device. The devices in the series capture bio-signals such as eeg and
blood oxygenation measures and forward them via USB or wireless to an Application running on a PC which
has a Wi driver to correctly interpret the signals being sent. The Wi will typically be used as an element in a
bio-feedback training system.
In this manual, the following terms are used:
- "Modality": the type of bio-signal being acquired - eeg, emg, ecg, scp, nIR, pIR, and pulse oximetry
are modalities
- "Channels": the number of channels of each modality. For example 2 channel nIR can be
carriedover 4 transport slots of the Q-wi .
- "Transport Slot": the total number of Channels of various modalities that can be transported from
the Device to the PC.
- "Mode": the Mode of a device indicates its current configuration - the number of slots transported,
the sampling rate of those slots, and gain or amplification of each slot.

- "sps": samples per second, or how fast the bio-signal is samples. EMG needs a fast sampling rate,
whereas the blood oxygenation modalities can use a much slower sampling rate and thus use less of the
PC's processing resources
- “EIM”: electrode impedance measurement.
There are seven products currently defined in the Wi product suite:
•Q-wi : 2/4ch EEG/HEG, usb/wireless, with 21-ch eeg cap interface
•Q for mini-Quantitative Assessment
•E-wi : 2ch EEG, usb/wireless, 2xAA battery option
•E for EEG
•H-wi : 2ch HEG, usb/wireless, 2xAA battery option
•H for HEG
•U-wi : 2ch EEG usb/wireless, miniature button-less
•U for USB eeg
•X-wi : 2ch HEG usb/wireless, miniature button-less
•X for xray
•W-wi : 2ch EEG wireless, 1xAAA battery
•R for Radio
•N-wi : 2ch HEG wireless, 1xAAA battery
•N for nIR HEG
Applications supporting the Wi suite are:
- BioExplorer (www.cyberevolution.com)
- BioEra (www.bioera.net - future)
The Wi suite flexibly supports 1 to 4 transport slots to the application. The modalities in those slots fall into
two categories:
(i)AC (alternatibg current) signals:
•EEG, elecroencephalography, 1 to 4 chanels
•SCP, slow cortical potentials, 1 to 4 channels
•ECG, electrocardiography, 1 to 4 chanels, and
•EMG, elecromyography. 1 to 4 channels.
(ii) DC (slowly varying Direct Current) signals:
•nIR HEG, near infrared hemoencephalography , one or two channels
•pIR HEG, passive infrared hemoencephalography, one channel
•pulse oximeter sensing the pulse rate
EEG, SCP, ECG, and EMG all use the same silver or silver/silver-chloride electrode interface, whereas nIR
and pIR HEG blood oxygenation sensors use special headbands. The nIR HEG sensor input can also accept
a pulse oximeter input.
The Q-Wi supports all modalities and up to 4 bio-signal channels, whereas the E/U/R-wi support two AC
bio-signal channels, and the H/X/N-wi support two DC bio-signal modalities.
Wi devices automatically detect when a headband or finger sensor is connected and reconfigure
accordingly. When only one bio-signal is used, it will appear on slot 1. For devices that support both AC and
DC modalities, namely the Q-wi , when no headbands or finger sensors are connected, slots will default to
AC - ie 2 or 4 channels of EEG etc.
The PC Application will automatically detect which modality is assigned to which slot and adjust accordingly.
The mapping of Modality into transport slot changes according to which headband or finger sensor is
connected, and which Mode is selected. The Mode switch on the Wi supports 4 Modes. Additonal Modes
(that is, Modes 4a and 4b below) are accessible only by a command sent from the PC/Tablet Application.
Mode Slot: Slot1 Slot2 Slot3 Slot4
<Mode 1> 32sps - used for HEG (and EEG protocol processing - future)
<Mode 2> 128sps - Hi resolution EEG and HEG
<Mode 3> 512sps - EMG, ECG and SCP (and EEG if mixed modalities)

----------------------------------------------
no headband sensed EEG1 EEG2
nIR sensed NIR1 NIR2*
nIR & pIR sensed NIR1 PIR1
pIR sensed PIR1 EEG1
PULS sensed PULS1 EEG1
pIR & PULS1 sensed PULS1 PIR1
----------------------------------------------
<Mode 4/a/b> 256sps 4ch - mixed modes – Q-wi
----------------------------------------------
no headband sensed(Mode 4) EEG1 EEG2 EEG3 EEG4
no headband sensed(Mode 4a)EEG1 EEG2 EIM1 EIM2 (by PC Command only)
no headband sensed(Mode 4b)EEG1 EEG2 Offset1 Offset2 (by PC Command only)
nIR sensed EEG1 EEG2 NIR1 NIR2
nIR & pIR sensed EEG1 EEG2 NIR1 PIR1
pIR sensed EEG1 EEG2 EEG3 PIR1
PULS sensed EEG1 EEG2 EEG3 Oxi1
pIR & PULS sensed EEG1 EEG3! Oxi1 PIR1
* for ch3 & ch4, precedence is: HEG, EIM/Offset, EEG
----------------------------------------------
<Mode 4a/b> 256sps 4ch - mixed modes – E/H/U//X/R-wi
----------------------------------------------
E/U/Rwi (Mode 4) EEG1 EEG2 EIM1 EIM2
E/U/Rwi (Mode 4b) EEG1 EEG2 Offset1 Offset2 (by PC Command only)
H/Xwi (Mode 4)
nIR & pIR sensed NIR1 PIR1 IR Red
pIR sensed pIR1
PULS sensed Oxi1 IR Red
pIR & PULS sensed Oxi1 PIR1 IR Red
All devices also have a Mode 0, or Program Mode, which is selected to allow firmware updates, or, in the
case of wireless operation. to allow the PC to send Commands to the device (see section on Commanding
the device).
Wireless operation requires a PN wireless dongle connected to a USB port. Products that operate either
wirelessly or by direct USB connection will automatically choose direct USB connection when a direct USB
connection is recognised ("enumerated"). Products that can be powered by USB or battery, choose battery
when it is available. Partcularly in the case of Table-based systems, this can increase the operating time of
the system.
7 Buttons
The U-wi and theX-wi do not have buttons. Refer to the section of PC Control for a description.
All other units have a Mode button. A short press sequences thru the available Modes. Mode is indicated by
a blinking green light. For Mode 1, the light blinks once. For Mode 0, or Program Mode, the light does not
blink.
Modes are consistent across models. Mode 2 on the Q-wi has the same attributes as Mode 2 on the E-wi .
The Mode button also serves as a 'Signal Good' indication. This indication is an assessment of the quality of
signal on all active slots. When the signal is judged as good then the Green light is mostly on and blinks off. If
the signal cannot be judged Good, then the green light is off and blinks on.
On the Q-wi , a long press of the Mode button activates the EEG Cap interface at which time the 8-LED
indicator reports the status of the Cap multiplexer.
All models have a second button which controls key functions of the active modality. For

EEG/ECG/EMG/SCP modalities, the Link/Free e button toggles a link between the two reference electrodes
and also toggles whether the DC (direct current) component of the signal is removed or not. A short press of
the button toggles the link action, with a green light indicating that the references are currently linked. A long
press (>2sec) toggles whether the DC component is removed from the signal or whether the DC is not
removed ("fro en") which is indicated with a blue light. DC-coupling is preferred for ECG and SCP signal
sampling and should be used with Ag/AgCl electrodes.
Models that have battery power have a Power-On button. If there is not a Power-On button, then the unit can
be de-powered by removing the USB cable (or switching off at a USB mini-hub with a power switch), or by
placing the unit in Program Mode (Mode 0). The Application might also support control of Power On/Off.
Q-wi :
•Mode button (green):
•short press, sequences thru Modes
•long press, activates the Q-menu and the Cap
interface
•pressed at power-up: enter fail-safe mode. Operates
with base feature set. Mode for recovery should
firmware become corrupted.
•Link (green) & Free e (blue) button:
•short press, controls linking of EEG references, and
initiates nIR/pIR/pulse HEG baseline search.
•in Mode 0 and wireless transport,
increments rf channel (in USB Transport,
use Application to change wireless channel
if required)
•in Mode 0 and USB transport, toggles
between USB transport only and USB and
wireless transport concurrently (Transport
LED blinks with wireless channel number
when wireless is active)
•long press, controls free ing and unfree ing EEG
DC removal
•pressed at power-up: initiates Signal Generator
mode
•there is no Power On button for the Q-wi .
•both Mode & Link Buttons together
•to exit Signal Generator Mode (or simply remove the
power from the unit & re-start)
•when in Q-menu mode, @ "Program Mode",
pressing the Link and Mode button enters/exits
programming of the User-defined switching of the
Cap (see section of the Q-menu).
E-wi :
•Mode button (green):
•short press, sequences thru Modes
• pressed at power-up: enter fail-safe mode. Operates with base feature set. Mode for
recovery should firmware become corrupted.
•Link (green) & Free e (blue) button:
•short press, controls linking of EEG references
•in Mode 0 and wireless transport, increments rf channel (in USB Transport, use
Application to change wireless channel if required)
•in Mode 0 and USB transport, toggles between USB transport only and USB and
wireless transport concurrently (Transport LED blinks with wireless channel number
when wireless is active)

•long press, controls free ing and unfree ing EEG DC
removal
• pressed at power-up: initiates Signal Generator mode
• Power On Button
•toggles normal operation and power off
H-wi :
•Mode button (green):
•short press, sequences thru Modes
•pressed at power-up: enter fail-safe mode.
Operates with base feature set. Mode for
recovery should firmware become corrupted
•Calibrate (green) button:
•short press, initiates nIR/pIR/pulse HEG
baseline search for nominal value of 100
•in Mode 0 and wireless transport,
increments rf channel (in USB
Transport, use Application to change
wireless channel if required)
•in Mode 0 and USB transport, toggles
between USB transport only and USB
and wireless transport concurrently
(Transport LED blinks with wireless
channel number when wireless is
active)
•pressed at power-up: initiates Signal Generator mode
•Power On Button
• toggles normal operation / power off
W-wi :
•Mode button (green):
•short press, sequences thru Modes
•pressed at power-up: enter fail-safe mode. Operates with base feature set. Mode for
recovery should firmware become corrupted.
•Link (green) & Free e (blue) button:
•short press, controls linking of EEG references
• in Mode 0 and wireless transport, increments rf channel (in USB Transport, use
Application to change wireless channel if required)
•in Mode 0 and USB transport, toggles between USB transport only and USB and
wireless transport concurrently (Transport LED blinks with wireless channel number
when wireless is active)
•long press, controls free ing and unfree ing EEG DC removal
• pressed at power-up: initiates Signal Generator mode
•Wireless Channel button:
•increments wireless channel number when in Mode 0 (Program Mode). Sequences
thru channels 1..8

•Power On Button
• toggles normal operation and power off
N-wi :
•Mode button (green):
•short press, sequences thru Modes
•pressed at power-up: enter fail-safe
mode. Operates with base feature set.
Mode for recovery should firmware
become corrupted.
•Calibrate (green) button:
•short press, initiates nIR/pIR/pulse HEG
baseline search for nominal value of 100
•in Mode 0 and wireless transport,
increments rf channel (in USB
Transport, use Application to change
wireless channel if required)
•in Mode 0 and USB transport, toggles
between USB transport only and USB
and wireless transport concurrently
(Transport LED blinks with wireless
channel number when wireless is
active)
•pressed at power-up: initiates Signal Generator mode
•Wireless Channel button:
•increments wireless channel number when in
Mode 0 (Program Mode). Sequences thru
channels 1..8
•Power On Button
•toggles normal operation and power off
8 LED Indicators
Q-wi :
TRANSMIT {blue):
- On Steady: sending to Application via USB
- On Blink: sending wirelessly
- Off Blink: not transmitting to Application (ie Program Mode)
- 4 blinks: acknowledging command received for Application
- Blink: wireless channel number
MODE/GOOD (green):
- On: no EEG lead off, and/or nIR full signal strength, and/or pIR valid reading
- Off: EEG pair off, or nIR not full strength, or pIR reading out of range
- Fast flash: EEG single electrode off
- Blink: Mode 0/1/2/3/4 = Program/32sps(2ch)/128sps(2ch)/512sps(2ch)/256sps(4ch)
LINK (blue/green):
- Blue On: EEG baseline fro en (DC coupled)
- Blue Off: DC removal - EEG low frequency response ~0.2H
- Green On: EEG References linked - only one Reference electrode required
- Green Off: EEG References independent - two References required for 2 eeg channel operation

HEG (yellow):
- On: when nIR, pIR or Oxi headband sensed
- Off: no headband sensed, all 2/4 channels used for EEG
- Blink: when nIR/pIR/pulse baseline search for nominal value of 100 is under way
- Fast Flash: indicates that User Defined configuration of the Cap is currently being programmed
E-wi :
TRANSMIT {blue):
- On Steady: sending to Application via USB
- On Blink: sending wirelessly
- Off Blink: not transmitting to Application (ie Program Mode)
- Blink: wireless channel number
- 4 blinks: acknowledging command received for Application
- Fast blink: low battery
MODE/GOOD (green):
- On: no EEG lead off
- Off: EEG lead off
- Blink: Mode 0/1/2/3 = Program/32sps(2ch)/128sps(2ch)/512sps(2ch)
- Fast flash: EEG single electrode off
LINK (blue/green):
- Blue On: EEG baseline fro en (DC coupled)
- Blue Off: DC removal - EEG low frequency response ~0.2H
- Green On: EEG References linked - only one Reference electrode required
- Green Off: EEG References independent - two References required for 2 eeg channel operation
H-wi :
TRANSMIT {blue):
- On Steady: sending to Application via USB
- On Blink: sending wirelessly
- Off Blink: not transmitting to Application (ie Program Mode)
- 4 blinks: acknowledging command received for Application
- Blink: wireless channel number
MODE/GOOD (green):
- On: nIR full signal strength, and/or pIR valid reading
- Off: nIR not full strength, or pIR reading out of range
- Blink: Mode 0/1/2 = Program/32sps(2ch)/128sps(2ch)
CALIBRATE (blue):
- On: when nIR, pIR or Oxi headband sensed
- Off: no headband sensed, sends test signal to PC Application
- Blink: when nIR/pIR/pulse baseline search for nominal value of 100 is under way
W-wi :
BLUE:
- On: EEG baseline fro en (DC coupled)
- Off: DC removal - EEG low frequency response ~0.2H
- Blink(Mode 0 only): wireless channel number
GREEN:
- On: EEG References linked - only one Reference electrode required
- Off: EEG References independent - two References required for 2 eeg channel operation
- Blink: Mode 0/1/2/3 = Program/32sps(2ch)/128sps(2ch)/512sps(2ch)
N-wi :
BLUE:

- On: when nIR, pIR or Oxi headband sensed
- Off: no headband sensed, sends test signal to PC Application
- Blink: when nIR/pIR/pulse baseline search for nominal value of 100 is under way
- Blink (Mode 0): wireless channel number
GREEN:
- On: nIR full signal strength, and/or pIR valid reading
- Off: nIR not full strength, or pIR reading out of range
- Blink: Mode 0/1/2 = Program/32sps(2ch)/128sps(2ch)
9 Connecting to PC: Wireless and USB Transport
All models can transmit wirelessly. The W-wi and the N-wi are exclusively wireless. The Q/E/H/U/X-wi can
transmit either wirelessly or directly via USB cable. They can also transmit concurrently both directly via USB
cable and wirelessly.
The Q-wi can be powered from a normal USB port or by a "USB Portable Power" battery. In the case of the
latter, the Q-Wi will automatically recognise that it does not have a USB connection and start to transmit
wirelessly. A PN proprietary dongle is required to receive the wireless signal.
The E-wi and the H-wi can be powered from either a USB port or 2x AA batteries placed inside the unit.
The batteries are not needed for USB operation, however note that if batteries are used whilst connected to a
USB port, the unit will draw power from the batteries, not the USB port. This means that if the USB port
belongs to a tablet, the E/H wi will not draw power from the tablet's battery thus extending the 'on” time for
the tablet.
The Q/E/H/U/X-wi will default to direct USB communication if it is sensed that the power is derived from a
USB port. If not, they will transmit wirelessly. No manual intervention is required.
The R-wi and the N-wi operate from a single AAA battery inside the unit.
In cases where the computer is slow to enumerate the Q-wi when connected, then the Q-Wi may decide
that it is not connected to a USB port and begin transmitting wirelessly. Unplugging the unit and re-inserting
should have it enumerate correctly. If this happens persistently then the Q-wi can be started in fail-safe
mode (see below) which grants a longer period for USB enumeration.
Concurrent Wireless and USB Transport
For the Q/E/H-wi , when in USB Transport and Program Mode, a short press of the "Link" button will toggle
between having USB Transport only (the blue "Transmit" LED will be on steady), and having both USB and
Wireless Transport concurrently (signified by the blue "Transmit" LED being mostly on and blinking off). For
the button-less U/Xwi , this capability can be commanded from the Application. This dual mode allows
"training room" scenarios whereby USB connection is used to communicate with the PC at each training
seat, and wireless communication is used to a central control position which can scan the progress of each
training seat, or select one for closer monitoring. This setting is remembered from session to session, but
note that wireless operation can cause interference to other devices operating wirelessly - each device will
need its own wireless channel.
Changing Wireless Channels
When multiple Wi 's are operating in close proximity, each must have a separate wireless channel. There are
eight wireless channels available.
When in Wireless Transport (ie battery powered)
•the wireless channel number is incremented by choosing Mode 0 (Program Mode), then a _short_
press of the "Link" button
•the PC Application cannot command a change to the wireless channel
In USB transport mode

•the Application may have the ability to change wireless channels of the Wi , and if so,
•the wireless channel number can be changed either in Program Mode (Mode 0) or in the Operating
Modes.
A new wireless channel number is remembered from session to session.
Separately, the PN wireless dongle needs to be set to the same wireless channel as that of the Wi . That is,
the wireless dongle needs to be blinking at a rate the same as the Wi . When the PN wireless dongle is
successfully receiving a signal, it's green LED is on and blinks off. The wireless channel of the dongle can be
changed either by _short_ presses of its button, or by commands from the PC Application if the Application
has that ability.
10 Modes
A _short_ press of the Mode button will change modes.
There are five Modes:
•Mode 0
•Program Mode, for uploading upgrades, interrogating version numbers etc
•Mode 1
•two transport slots at 32sps sampling rate: low transmission rates to minimise burden on PC
processor
•recommended for HEG & SCP only, not suited for use with EEG, EMG or ECG
•Mode 2
•two slots at 128sps sampling rate: most sensitive and low rates to minimise burden on PC
processor
•recommended for EEG and SCP
•Mode 3
•two slots at 512sps sampling rate for high bandwidth, 4x lower sensitivity
•recommended for ECG/EMG/SCP
•Mode 4
•four slots at 256sps sampling rate, high sensitivity (Q-wi only)
•4a: 2 bio-signal channels + 2 EIM status channels (Q/E/U/Rwi )
•4a: 2 bio-signal channels + 2 IR/Red constituents (H/X/N wi )
•4b: 2 bio-signal channels + 2 Offset status channels (Q/E/U/Rwi )
Mode changes are signified to the PC Application automatically, and the Application's interface will
reconfigure in sympathy. For some changes, like changing from 2-slot modes to 4-slot mode, the
Application's input may need to be manually reconfigured. Note that the Source Objects of the BioExplorer
Application have the ability to auto detect the modality of incoming signals such that if there is one Source
Object configured for EEG and another for HEG, then BioExplorer will automatically connect the correct
Source object to correct incoming stream. It does this on the fly.
Further, where there is a single channel of a single modality, then it will always appear on on the first input to
the Application, that is, Slot 1. Thus single channel protocol designs can assume the input is always the first
input.
11 EEG Electrode Interface
The Q-Wi can operate as a single channel eeg, 2-channel eeg, 3-channel eeg, or 4-channel eeg. The
E/U/R-wi can operate as single or two channel eeg. If using EEG, EEG Channel 1 must be one of the
channels being used, however there are no constraints on which other channels are used. A Ground
connection ("gnd") is also required for all EEG configurations. Thus the minimum arrangement for EEG use is
three elecrodes: 1+, 1-, and gnd.
The Wi is a 24-bit resolution, directly coupled device. However the default mode of operation is to slowly

remove the DC component of the EEG so the signal does not wander and potentially move out of range of
the PC Application. This virtual High Pass Filter is set at about 0.2H . A _long_ press of the "Link/Free e"
button will override DC removal, and a blue LED will light to signify that the DC-removal is now fro en
(_blue_ for _fro en_) and the amplifier will then act as a true DC-coupled device. Free ing the DC removal
operation is used with SCP and ultra-low frequency EEG modalities. Another long press will re-activate DC-
removal and extinguish the blue LED. Free e state is not remembered and will need to be set each time the
unit is powered on.
The amount of DC-offset removal can be remembered by the Wi , allowing the eeg to settle faster when next
powered on. Offsets are grabbed at the time of free ing the eeg with a long press of the Free e button.
A _short_ press of the "Link" button will electrically join the two Reference electrodes (1- and 2-) adjacent to
the Link button and a Green LED will light to signify that the references are linked. Another short press will
unlink and extinguish the Green LED. (_green_ for _link_). Linking of electrodes is typically used for
assessment procedures. Link state is remembered - the device will power-up in the state previously set.
For the Q-wi , EEG channels 3 and 4 do not have their own separate reference electrode. EEG Channel 3
uses 1- as its reference and EEG Channel 4 uses 2- as its reference. If the green "Link" light is on, then all
four electrodes are sharing a common reference and only one reference electrode need be connected to the
body, although typically two reference electrodes are still used, one to each ear-lobe.
12 HEG Interface
The Q/H/X/N-wi senses when a HEG (either nIR, pIR, or pulse) headband is connected. The "HEG" LED will
begin to flash, signifying that the unit is adjusting the signal to it's nominal value of 100. Once the nominal
value is found, the device automatically Free es the baseline and the "HEG" LED stops flashing and
becomes steady on. The Wi is then ready for training. If the headband is unplugged, then in the case of the
Q-wi the slot reverts to the default EEG use, whilst in the case of the H-wi and the N-wi , absent a
headband, a test signal (values of 99 & 101 alternating every second) is sent on the slots.
Note that the Wi will attempt to find the nominal value whether the headband is on the head or not, so if a
false nominal value has been set, then a _short_ press of the "Calibrate" or "Link" button will initiate a new
search. Nominal values are found after 5 to 15 seconds of searching.
The Wi remembers the offset required to establish the nominal value of 100, allowing HEG to settle faster
next time it is powered-on. Offsets are stored at the time a nominal value of 100 is achieved. These offset
values will then be saved to memory when there is either a mode change or a short press of the Link/Free e
button. For both nIR and pIR HEG, should the limits of the range of reading be exceeded, then a search for
the nominal value of 100 is automatically re-started.
If in a 2-slot mode (ie Mode 1, 2, or 3) and just one headband is in use, either pIR or nIR, then the signal will
appear on Slot 1. This means that changing from pIR to nIR modality is as simple as changing headbands -
no reconfiguration of the Wi or PC Application is required.
The Wi supports 2-ch nIR Headbands. If the Wi senses that the current headband supports only one nIR
channel, then it substitutes the Infrared component of the nIR1 signal on the nIR2 slot. This IR signal can be
used to gauge the quality of the nIR1 signal, and can be used by the application to derive the Pulse Rate
from the nIR signal, for say HRV training.
13 Other Sensors
Nellcor compatible SpO2/Pulse Oximeters can interface to the Q/H/X-wi via an adaptor. The adaptor allows
the sensor to be plugged into the nIR HEG socket on the Wi . Pulse Oximeters would generally be used to
obtain the pulse bioSignal. Pulse Rate and Heart Rate Variability training can be based on this signal.
Thermocouples can be used to measure skin temperature. In particular, thermocouples which can be
grasped are available for the Q/H-wi for use in training hand-warming. They are connected to the pIR HEG

socket.
14 8-LED Display (Q/E/H-wiz)
The Q/E/H-wi have an array of eight green LED's to feedback state information to the user. The 8-LED
display serves two functions:
•Signal Display mode: real-time display of the signal on transport Slot 1, either EEG (AC) or HEG
(DC) depending on mode and whether headbands are connected or not
•Q-menu mode(Q-wi only): displaying the status of the 21-ch EEG Cap interface (to be described
later)
On power-up, the Signal Display mode appears. It can be recognised by flickering of the LEDs, reflecting the
real-time nature of the signal being displayed. To enter the Q-menu mode, _long_ press of the Mode button.
Q-menu mode can be recognised by a non-flickering LED display, with initially only the top LED lit. Once in
Q-menu mode, Signal Display Mode can be re-entered with a _short_ press of the Mode button.
Without headbands connected, the Signal Display shows the real-time display of the EEG signal on transport
Slot 1 (ie EEG Channel 1). With "Free e" off (ie no blue "Link" LED), then the EEG signal should be centered
on the display and the magnitude of the EEG will excite LEDs around the center LED. With "Free e" on (ie
blue "Link" LED is on), then the display will reflect DC shifts of the EEG signal. If the display exceeds the LED
display range, indicated by the upper-most or lowest LEDs slowly flashing, then this might indicate that the
DC level is exceeding safe limits, although the operating range of the EEG signal is considerably greater than
the range of the 8-LED display. The EEG signal can be re-centered by a _long_ press of the "Link" button to
un-Free e the baseline. Once centered, the baseline can be re-Fro en with another _long_ press of the
"Link" button.
With only one of nIR or pIR HEG headbands connected, the 8-LED display will refect the amplitude of the
respective slowly varying DC signal, with the nominal value of 100 being centered on the display. If both pIR
and nIR HEG headbands are connected, then the nIR signal appears on transport Slot 1 and is displayed. In
nIR HEG mode, the LED display range covers 80 to 120, and in pIR HEG mode the range is 95 to 105.
Again, if the 8-LED display range is exceeded, this may or may not be an issue since the operating range of
the Wi is greater than this.
Dithering of the 8-LED display allows for a sensitive, continuously varying signal. Thus the Wi can be used
as a standalone biofeedback trainer for slowly varying DC bio-signals, such as HEG.
15 EEG Cap Interface (Q-wiz only)
The Q-wi features an interface to a 21 channel EEG cap. Electrocap and Deymed caps are compatible,
altho the latter is compatible for 19-ch montages only. The Cap can be used for assessment or training, and
the multiplexing of the 21 channels of the Cap onto the 4 slots of the Q-wi , can be controlled by the PC
Application, if it is so capable.
Since there are 21 EEG sites available to the CAP and just 4 slots to the PC Application, there is a choice of
which site is to go to which slot. Each Slot can accept one or more of 8 possible Cap sites. Thus we speak of
"multiplexing" Cap sites onto available slots, and of a "mapping" of sites onto slots.
The EEG Cap and it's 25-pin D-connector are active and connected whilst the Q-menu is active. The Q-menu
is activated by a _long_ press of the Mode button, and is de-activated by a _short_ press of the Mode button.
The Cap interface sits across the normal electrode inputs, so both the Cap interface and the normal
electrodes can be used at the same time, however in general one should use either the Cap interface or the
normal electrode interface but not both. Linking of electrode references by toggling the "Link" button applies
equally to the normal electrode input and the references provided by the EEG Cap.
Pre-configured mappings of EEG Cap locations to Slots
A long press of the Mode button will activate the Cap interface. The current Mode is maintained, such that if

the unit was in Mode 2 (2ch/128sps) prior to entering in Cap Assessment, then only two of the four slots are
available to the Cap. Similarly, if a HEG headband is plugged-in, one or more slots are lost to the Cap
interface. In general, select Mode 4 (4ch/256sps) and remove headbands prior to a long press of the Mode
button to activate the Cap interface. Once activated, a short press will de-activate the Cap.
There are five pre-configured mappings of selected Cap locations to the four slots which are sent to the
Application. These mappings are listed on the _left_ of the 8-LEDs for, left-to-right, Slot 1..4. These five
settings sequence through as the result of holding down the Mode button continuously or through a series of
long presses.
These five pre-defined mappings accord with 'The Learning Curve' four channel Assessment Procedure
(refer www.brain-trainer.com).
User Defined mappings of EEG Cap locations to Slots
A sixth configuration, called User Defined, is programmable. To program the User Defined mapping of EEG
Cap locations to slots, scroll down to "Program". In a moment, the 8-LEDs will start to sequence through the
currently stored mappings of EEG Cap locations to slots. The 8-LEDs indicate the Cap location listed to the
_right_ of the LED. Again, left-to-right, Slot 1..4. The current EEG Cap site identified by the 8-LEDs applies to
the Slot indicated by the "Mode" LED, which blinks with the current slot number (one blink for Slot 1 etc).
Note that this display is for user information only - so the user can readily see how the User Defined mapping
is configured - the Cap interface itself remains fully activated with all slots configured according to the User
Defined setting.
Scan Mode
Using _long_ presses of the Mode button to scroll to Scan will cause the EEG Cap locations to sequence
through the five pre-set configurations and the User Defined configuration. Dwell time is about 8 seconds,
meaning that to sequence through all six mappings takes 48 seconds. Prior to commencement of
assessment, Scanning can be used to check that there is a valid eeg signal on each of the Cap locations of
interest, both by visual inspection of the eeg trace and Lead-off reporting to the PC Application.
Programming the User Defined Mapping
With the unit sequencing through the current User defined mapping, as described above, pressing _first_ the
"Link" button and then, momentarily, the Mode button, enters a mode for Programming the User Defined
mapping. To signify this, the "HEG" LED flashes rapidly. This process erases previous User defined
mapping.
The "Mode" LED will begin blinking _once_ to indicate that we are currently programming the mapping of
EEG Cap locations to Slot 1. The first of the 8-LEDs is lit. In this Programming Mode, _short_ presses of the
Mode button will sequence through the choices of Cap location available, whilst momentarily pressing the
"Link" button will save that Cap location to the current Slot.
Multiple EEG Cap sites can be selected for a single Slot. The default User Defined mapping maps each
quadrant of the scalp to the four slots. Note that not all Cap locations are available to all slots. The possible
choices are those listed to the _right_ of the respective 8-LED and in the table below.
By cycling through programming the four slots and returning to a previously programmed slot, re-selecting a
particular Cap site will erase that site. Similarly, if a location is accidentally selected, selecting it again will un-
select. This happens in real-time,
so selections appear instantly on the Cap interface. To exit and save the new mapping as a new User
Defined mapping, press the "Link" button followed by and together with a momentary press of the Mode
button. The rapid flashing "HEG" LED will extinguish. To exit Program Mode without saving the new
configuration, that is to keep the previous User Defined mapping, simply _long_ press the Mode button. The
rapid flashing "HEG" LED will extinguish. This latter method allows individual locations on the EEG Cap to be
chosen and observed, without changing the User defined mapping. A _short_ press of the Mode button will
then exit the Q-menu entirely and disconnect the EEG Cap interface.
Mappings

Ch1 Ch2 Ch3 Ch4
Pre-defined Sequence 1 T3 T4 C3 C4
Pre-defined Sequence 2 F3 F4 P3 P4
Pre-defined Sequence 3 F P C O
Pre-defined Sequence 4 F7 F8 T5 T6
Pre-defined Sequence 5 Fp1 Fp2 O1 O2
Default User Defined Ch1 Fp1/F3/F7
Default User Defined Ch2 Fp2/F4/F8
Default User Defined Ch3 T5/O1/P3
Default User Defined Ch4 T6/O2/P4
(these default locations are quadrants of the brain - this configuration can be re-programmed)
User Defined Mapping Choices
Choices: Ch1 Ch2 Ch3 Ch4
Fp1 Fp2 F7 F8
F3 F4 T3 T4
C3 C4 T5 T6
P3 P4 O1 O2
F7 F8 C3 C4
T3 T4 P3 P4
Fp C C F
F P P O
Note that sites should not be shared across slots as that will act to short the two eeg channels.
Controlling the Cap's User Defined Mapping from the PC Application
Some supporting Applications include the ability to control the mapping of the EEG Cap onto the 4 slots. If
the Q-Wi is directly connected via USB then the Application can command mapping of the EEG Cap sites
on the fly - commands sent from the application will instantaneously configure the EEG Cap and the chosen
sites will be conveyed to the Application over the four slots.
If the Q-menu is not active at the time that the Q-Wi receives a command to map the cap sites, the Q-Wi
will automatically activate the multiplexer and save the new mapping as the User Defined mapping. Also, if
not already in Mode 4 (256sps/4ch), the Q-wi will change to that mode.
If the Q-Wi is connected via wireless, then select Mode 0 (Program Mode) to allow the PC Application to
command mapping of cap sites.
16 Poor Signal Detection
The Wi monitors
•electrodes for Lead-off condition
•nIR HEG for signal strength
•pIR for values out of range
If any test fails, the "Good" LED is extinguished. This information, on a slot by slot basis, is also sent to the
PC Application. That is, each slot is separately reported as Good or not.
ExG Lead off information is extended to the Status Bar of the PC Application. If one of a pair of electrodes is
detected to be off, the status for that channel rapidly flashes as a warning. If both electrodes are detected to
be off, the status is “bad” but not flashing, since that channel may not be in use. Should the ground electrode
be detected as off, then all channels (2 or 4) status indication rapidly flashes.
To determine whether it is the active or reference electrode that has fallen off, link the references. If the rapid
flashing persists then it is the active electrode that has fallen off.
Electrode pair impedances can also be measured. Initiated by the PC application, EIM values for each

channel (2 or 4, depending on the Mode) are sent back to the Application for display. Values up to 128kOhm
are reported. Accuracy is better than 10%.
17 Test Signals
At power-up, a brief self-test sequence of test signals is sent to the transport slots and to the nIR HEG
headband. If the transport slot is configured for EEG use("AC"), then the test signal is a 4, 8, 16, and 32H
tone, each for one second at a level of 30uVpp. If the transport slot is configured for HEG use ("DC"), then
the brief test signal is values 99 and 101, each for 1 second.
Additionally, during this power-up self-test phase, control signals to the nIR HEG headband interface
separately pulse the Red and the IR LEDs, so that both can be seen with the naked eye. [In normal use, the
brightness of the Red LED makes it impossible to see whether the IR is functioning.]
If power is applied to the Wi with the "Link"/"Calibrate" button pressed, then it will power-up in Signal
Generator Mode. In this mode the above test signals are applied indefinitely, or until power to the unit is
removed, or both the "Link" button and the "Mode" button a pressed simultaneously to exit Signal Generator
Mode. Note that external controls can configure the EEG test signal to be a swept tone of 0..30H with a 4
second sweep time, rather than the default pulsed tones. EEG Test signals are at a level of 30uVpp.
8 sec Self-Test on normal Power-up
EEG - 4/8/16/32H , at 1 second intervals
NIR - 99/101 at 1 sec intervals
18 Sa ing Configurations
When changing Modes, the new Mode is remembered. When the unit is next powered, it will come up in that
Mode. After a signal has settled, be it eeg or heg, pressing the Free e button for 2sec will save the current
baseline so that the signal can settle more quickly when that modality is next selected. Functions that get
remembered:
•Mode: 32/128/512/256sps, 2ch/4ch
•Baseline offset values
•EEG Reference Link Status (linked or un-linked)
•wireless channel number
•User Defined Cap Mapping
19 Fail-safe Mode
Fail-safe Mode is entered by powering-up with the Mode button pressed. Fail-safe Mode offers base
functionality (ie is usable for most functions), and the ability to upload or re-load firmware upgrade packages
to restore full functionality. Fail-safe Mode comes up in Mode 2 (128sps/2ch), but other modes can then be
selected. Firmware upgrades are restored by placing the unit in Program Mode then using the PC Application
Software to upload the latest firmware package available from the pocket-neurobics.com website.
Functions that may not work in Fail-safe mode (model dependant):
•commanding of the Wi by the PC Application
•pulse oximeter interface
Safety functions in Fail-safe Mode:
•extra time for USB enumeration (for slow PCs)
•free e button locks current sensor configuration (to stop possible jitter on sensor detection in noisy

environments)
20 Commanding the Wi – BioExplorer
Most functions on the Wi can be commanded from the special Wi window that appears when in
BioExplorer, the Wi driver is selected. If multiple Wi devices are active, then there will be multiple Wi
command windows open.
Some functions are specific to a particular model, such as bu er being relevant to the E-wi and H-wi only.
Commands that are not relevant to your model will be simply ignored.

21 Commanding the Wi – BioEra
BioEra allows changing many
parameters at runtime,
granting increased flexibility,
but conceding increased
complexity. This architecture
allows designs to configure
the Wi at start-up so that the
Mode matches the intent of
the design.