report

On
Brain computer interface

CONTENTS

Abstract
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Introduction
Proposed system
Working
Advantages
Disadvantages
Applications

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7. Future Scope
8. Conclusion
Reference

Abstract
Computers have long outweighed human capabilities, but the one pivotal aspect which it
lacks is intelligence. Brain computer interface is a holistic approach of integrating the
countless possibilities of a computer or a machine with the human brain. Braincomputer
interfaces, commonly called a mind-machine interface is a direct communication pathway
between the brain and an external device. The external device can range from small circuitry
to complex super computers. BCIs are often directed at assisting human cognitive functions.
Research on BCIs began as early as in the 1970s. The topic covers the early evolution of
BCIs, the progress it has underwent, systems in which its used and the obvious future of
this scientific rationale. Applications range from assisting handicapped to performing humanly
activities at the strike of a thought with much lower time, greater speed and precision.
Computers have great speed and accuracy level which when works tandem with the human
brain can give breakthrough results.

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Chapter 1
Introduction

In todays pragmatic world where man is inevitably making technology slave to his needs, Brain
Computer Interface is an indispensable field of concern. At a time when user friendly technology is
taking a lions share of our deeds, an alternative electrical intervention that helps man acquire his
needs with a spark of thought is pivotal.

1.1 Timeline
Prior to the industrial revolution when human civilization began, man lived a life devoid of
technology, Since the industrial revolution began analog devices and switches were spotted in his
life, Later on with the birth of internet, electronics and its subsidiaries became his way of life. Now is
the time of cutting edge apps, big data and cloud computing, The age to come will see a very holistic
and dynamic interaction between man and technology-Human brain interface.
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The most interesting aspect involved in this subject is that it uses common human gestures and
thoughts to produce the desired outputs without straining man, avoiding his direct involvement in
manipulating technical outputs. The next generation brain mapping, psychological output synthesis is
dependent on human interfacing.
Deploying state of the art bio electronics components like electrodes, operational amplifiers, resistors,
diodes and capacitors a technical prototype that guarantees hassle free technical intervention
This project is a humble and eloquent concern that meets the aspirations and the needs of everyday
citizen paving way for a more easier and dynamic world of hybrid interaction .

Chapter 2
Proposed System
To make the understanding of this project more easier a basic functional block diagram of this system
is shown below. The block diagram helps to understand the work flow of the system easily.

2.1 A typical circuitry

Input

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Band Pass Filter

Instrumentation
Amplifier

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Differential
Amplifier

Rectifier

Analog to
Digital
Converter

Digital O/P

Chapter 3
Working

The signals from the human nervous system are tapped using either needles or electrodes. The tapped
signals will be of very feeble nature which should be further amplified.
The signal is therefore passed through an Instrumentation Amplifier both amplifying the signal and
removing the noise from it. The EMG signals are found to be in the frequency range 5 to 450 Hz and a
band pass filter is used to obtain required frequency components alone. Again an amplifier is used to
amplify the signals finally compensating for the losses in the BPF. The amplified signal is then
rectified and fed into an ADC from which the digital signal corresponding to the real time EMG
signals are obtained .These digital signals can be used for control of several systems.
The various sections involved are:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Instrumentation amplifier
Band pass filter
Differential Amplifier
Rectifier
Analog to Digital converter (ADC)

Every deliberate movement a person makes involves contraction of several muscles in the body.
Skeletal muscles do not normally contract on their own; rather they are excited through a sequence of
electrical events involving the central and peripheral nervous systems. The very first step involved is
the tapping of muscle pulse from the forearm of the user with the help of surface electrodes. Three

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electrodes are used simultaneously to tap the pulses, of which one of the electrode acts as the reference
electrode, other two electrodes act as the phase and neutral of the system respectively. The surface
electrode is generally made of Ag/Ag Cl. Ag/Ag Cl conductive material is 3 times as thick almost
disposable electrodes, significantly improving the quality of the recording.

3.1 Instrumentation amplifier

The instrumentation amplifier is a type of differential amplifier that has been outfitted with input
buffer amplifiers. It helps to eliminate the need for input impedance matching. The basic function of
the instrumentation amplifier in this system is two:
1) It amplifies the weak muscle pulses tapped by the electrodes.
2) It filters out the myosignals from rest of the signals and amplifies it alone after rejecting the noise
signals.
Here the instrumentation amplifier is implemented using AD620.The instrumentation amplifier
designed here has a gain of 2.5 . The output of instrumentation amplifier will be in mill volts range.
This output is then fed into the band pass filter.
3.2 Band pass filter
A band-pass filter is a device that passes frequencies within a certain range and rejects (attenuates)
frequencies outside that range. The filter is designed such that it produces an output with a frequency
range of 5Hz to 500Hz.The band pass filter also amplifies the signals in this range.
The band pass filter is implemented using TLC2272.
3.3 Differential amplifier
A differential amplifier is a type of electronic amplifier that amplifies the difference between two input
voltages but suppresses any voltage common to the two inputs. Due to this characteristic feature of the

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differential amplifier, it is used to remove the noise that remains in the signals obtained after filtering.
It improves the quality of signals obtained.
The gain of the differential amplifier is .It is implemented using TLC 2272.
3.4 Rectifier
A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses
direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The ac input given to the rectifier
is converted to dc. A half wave rectifier is implemented using 1N4007 and capacitor.

3.5 Analog to digital converter (adc)

An analog-to-digital converter is a device that converts a continuous physical quantity to a digital
number that represents the quantity's amplitude.The conversion involves quantization of the input. The
rectified signal obtained is converted to digital signals for the purpose of controlling gadgets. Each
specific human gesture has a specific threshold value which is used to control each movement of the
controlled gadget.
The ADC is implemented using ATMEGA 328 which has an inbuilt ADC module in it.

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Chapter 4
Advantages
The major advantage of this system is that it makes our lives simple and easy. Another most interesting
aspect is that it utilizes only common human gestures for the control of even most complex gadgets. In
the fast competitive world , it saves lot of our time which adds to its features. With the wide variety of
applications it possess in various spheres of our life , it makes our life dynamic and powerful. With the
kind of applications and advantages it possess it is sure that it will become an integral part of our life
in days to come.
1. It will make life more easier
2. Assistance for Differently abled
3.Advanced gaming interface
4.Emotional synthesis

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Chapter 5
Disadvantages
Like the sides of a coin , any technology has its own good and bad. The major disadvantage of this
system is that it cannot control multiple gadgets simultaneously. Another disadvantage that involves
the components used is that the disposable electrodes used for tapping pulses. The disposable
electrodes has to be replaced with permanent electrodes for efficient working of the system. Like any
other growing technology, this technology too has many limitations since it is yet under research.
Further application of this technology is possible only after research by promising minds leads to path
breaking innovations.

1.Research still in beginning stages.

2.The current technology is crude.
3.Ethical issues may prevent its development
4.Electrodes outside the skull can detect very few electrical signals from the brain.
5.Electrodes placed inside the skull create scar tissue in the brain.

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Chapter 6
Applications
This technology finds utilization in a great deal of everyday and sophisticated equipments

6.1

Prosthetic Limbs
One of the most cutting-edge technologies used to control prosthetic limbs is called targeted
muscle reinnervation (TMR) and was developed by Dr. Todd Kuiken at the Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago. Your brain controls the muscles in your limbs by sending electrical
commands down the spinal cord and then through peripheral nerves to the muscles.

6.2

Control remote robot arm

The next generation Robots will be governed by synaptic responses of the brain ,cutting
through the limitations of the present day human effort in controlling it . The Canadarm was a
remote-controlled mechanical arm, also known as the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System
(SRMS). During its 30-year career with NASA's Space Shuttle Program, the robotic arm
deployed, captured and repaired satellites, positioned astronauts, maintained equipment.

6.3

Electronic braking system

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A substantial reduction in operators reaction time was observed

when an electronic

braking system, triggered by EMG from the frontal muscle was used to augment a normal foot
activated automobile brake.

6.4 Replace exoskeleton instrumentation

A low cost EMG system can be used to replace or augment exoskeleton instrumentation. Raw EMG
time histories from normal hand and arm motion were not sufficient for controlling for complex
movements of a robot arm. The time frequency analysis of the EMG patterns from forearm
musculature can discriminate several different hand grasp types and thumb motions with a high degree
of accuracy.

6.5 Brain computer interface in wheel chair

It has changed the way the differently abled navigate,being less dependent on
the care takers ,this system enables them to move the way their brains desire

6.6 Differently abled

If making the differently abled self Reliant was one of the greatest challenges the
modern technology faced ,its no more. A robotic arm coupled with Brain
Computer Interface helps them to conquers all their day to day needs

6.7 Gaming

It has also changed the way people game, with the introduction of non-invasive
BCI in gaming its goodbye to keyboards, mouse and the Joystick.

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Chapter 7
Future scope
With creative interface design any discrete response system can be performed using EMG systems. It
can be used to replace the physical movement of conventional control. The pattern recognition
approaches offer the greatest potential for discriminating signal from noise and for controlling multiple
degree-of-freedom systems. EMG signals may be most useful when applied in a manner that combines
aspects of system control and operator state monitoring. Moreover this system employs an intelligent
interpreter that monitors a range of system outputs. While such a system has not been demonstrated, it
may well represent the path to optimal utilization of human physiological signals for control.

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Chapter 8
Conclusion
This upcoming technology will pave new ways in our day to day life. Controlling of gadgets using this
technology makes our lives simple and easy. Future scope of this extends from industrial automation
to medical fields and other various spheres of our lives. With this effort we are opening a new chapter
in the field of technology. Lets all dream about that world where just a thought can change lives.

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Reference
1 R. Sharma, V. I. Pavlovic, and T. S. Huang, Toward multimodal humancomputer interface, Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 86, no. 5, pp. 853-869, May
1998.
2 A. Jaimes and N. Sebe, Multimodal human-computer interaction: A survey,
Computer Vision and Image Understanding, vol. 108, no. 1-2, pp. 116134, 2007.
3 Y. Wang and T. P. Jung, A Collaborative Brain-Computer Interface for Improving
Human Performance, PLoS ONE, vol. 6, no. 5, p. e20422, 2011.
4 A. Poole and L. J. Ball, Eye tracking in human-computer interaction and usability
research: current status and future prospects, Encyclopedia of human computer
interaction, pp. 211219, 2005.

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