Framework

BCI Essentials uses Lab Streaming Layer (LSL) to interchange time synchronized EEG data, presentation markers, and classification responses. A stream with type: LSL_Marker_Strings sends markers from the front end. Another with type: BCI sends responses from the back end. Messages are formatted as comma-delimited strings.

Stream TypeContent
LSL_Marker_Stringsmarkers
BCIresponses

Timeline Definitions

Epoch
Data processing window surrounding a period of focus on a target class or object. For discrete stimulus paradigms like P300, an epoch consists of a baseline period followed by an expectation of stimulus response. Paradigms targetting a specific state such as MI and SSVEP define these classed periods arbitrarily in conjunction with user prompting. All training epochs must have the same length.
Trial
Stimulus sequence or set of epochs with user focus on a particular class or object. Used for both training and classification.
Training
Sequence of targetted trials targetting different objects or classes providing the data and event markers necessary to build a classifier for live inferences.
Composite diagram illustrating definitions of the different time window terms defined above
Composite diagram illustrating definitions of the different time window terms defined above