Realization Of Real Time Brain-Computer Interface System Based On LabVIEW

Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a novel kind of human computer interface being explored since last decade. BCI gives their users communication and control channels that does not depend on the brain's normal output channels of peripheral nerves and muscles. Current interests in BCI development come mainly from the hope that this technology could be a new valuable augmentative communication option for those with severe movement disabilities that prevent them from using conventional augmentative technologies. BCI technology also has potential applications in other fields such as industry, space and defense. BCI research has drawn attention of scientists in the brain-science research, rehabilitation engineering, biomedical engineering and human machine automatic control. However, BCI technology is still under development. Current BCI has relatively low communication speed and may become unstable sometimes.The design is achievable in the environment of LabVIEW7.1. LabVIEW is one of computer language used widely in the field of virtual instrument, it is a graphical programming language, the difference between it and other language is that its source code is graph rather than text, it has been accepted widely as a standard data acquisition and instrument control software by the industry, academia and research laboratories.The realization of the real-time feedback BCI based on transient visual evoked potential under LabVIEW is presented in this paper. The critical parts of the solution are the design of the visual stimulation, the real-time processing of EEG and producing control signals that BCI system needs, and feedback of the result to the testee.The system of real-time feedback BCI experimental system based on VEP is set up using one computer and the Active One Biopotential Measurement System developed newly. The scalp electrodes are used for detection of VEPs in the occiput. It is noninvasive and can be accepted easily.The visual stimulation of BCI is designed through LabVIEW software programming. Different stimulation modules represent a number of possible selections, and then the testee fixates on one object on the screen, which can be distinguished by the analysis of VEPs. The averaging and high efficiency FIR filtering is used to improve the Signal-to-Noise (SNR) and extract the poor VEP signal from strong noises, then distinguish the object that the testee fixated on by matching the VEP signal extracted with templet signal detected, produce the control signals for the BCI, and give the result distinguished to the testee, and finally realize the real-time feedback system.In this paper, recognizable VEP signal with distinct characteristics can be evoked effectively and extracted. Finally a real-time feedback brain-computer interface was realized, the speed and accuracy of BCI were improved.