Modular EEG Channel Expansion Using Staircase Shift Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing EEG systems face limitations in scalability and flexibility to accommodate varying user needs and requirements, such as consumer-grade EEG instrumentation to professional laboratory research, due to finite channel capacity and limited adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A modular EEG system with a main module and sub-modules, utilizing a serial peripheral interface (SPI) databus for data and control plane traffic, and staircase shifting for control line reassignment, allowing seamless expansion and addressability of sub-modules without external modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a modular EEG system with staircase shifting is implemented, then scalability and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EEG system is divided into a main module and multiple identical sub-modules, each capable of independent EEG signal acquisition. This segmentation allows the system to be scaled by simply adding or removing sub-modules without redesigning the entire system, directly enabling the scalability improvement while managing complexity through modularization.
Solution Approach 2:
The main module is designed with universal control capabilities that can manage any number of identical sub-modules through the staircase shifting mechanism. The control lines can be systematically reassigned to address different sub-modules, creating a universal interface that works regardless of the total number of sub-modules, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If external interconnection modification is avoided, then ease of expansion is improved, but control line assignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control line assignment is made dynamic through the staircase shifting mechanism, where control lines can be systematically reassigned to different sub-modules based on which sub-module needs to be activated. This dynamic reassignment allows the same physical control lines to serve multiple sub-modules in different configurations, enabling easy expansion without external interconnection modifications while managing the assignment complexity through systematic rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The systematic assignment of control lines follows predetermined rules that allow the system to self-configure when sub-modules are added or removed. The control lines automatically route to the appropriate sub-modules based on their position in the staircase configuration, eliminating the need for manual external interconnection modifications and reducing the burden of control line assignment complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If staircase shifting is used for control line reassignment, then adaptability to diverse user needs is improved, but control mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The staircase shifting mechanism operates in a periodic manner, systematically cycling through control line assignments in a predetermined sequence. This periodic action allows the same control lines to be reused for different sub-modules in a regular pattern, improving adaptability to diverse user needs while managing control mechanism complexity through the predictability and repeatability of the shifting pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to Electroencephalography (EEG) staircase shifting. According to one aspect, the disclosure includes establishing a first control plane communication between a main module and a first of sub modules with source control lines; establishing a second control plane communication between the first and a second of sub modules with the source control lines using a staircase shifting; and activating at least one sub modules using the staircase shifting with the source control lines. In another aspect, the disclosure includes sub modules configured to acquire EEG signals; a main module coupled to the sub modules, the main module configured to serve as a data orchestrator for the sub modules, and transmission lines coupled to the main module and the submodules, wherein the transmission lines is configured to transport control lines, and wherein a systematic assignment of the transmission lines is implemented without external interconnection modification.