A Technical Seminar Report

On

BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Degree

Of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY

IN

ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

Submitted By

A. Srikanth (15911A04J4)

Under the Co-ordination Of

Mr. A.Laxman
Asst. Professor Dept Of ECE

Department Of Electronics and Communication Engineering

VIDYA JYOTI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(AUTONOMOUS)
(Permanently affiliated to JNTUH, NBA & NACC accredited, Hyderabad)
2018-2019
 Abstract
A brain-computer interface (BCI), also referred to as a mind-machine interface (MMI)
or a brain-machine interface (BMI), provides a non-muscular channel of
communication between the human brain and a computer system. With the
advancements in low-cost electronics and computer interface equipment, as well as the
need to serve people suffering from disabilities of neuromuscular disorders, a new field
of research has emerged by understanding different functions of the brain. The
electroencephalogram (EEG) is an electrical activity generated by brain structures and
recorded from the scalp surface through electrodes. Researchers primarily rely on EEG
to characterize the brain activity, because it can be recorded non-invasively by using
portable equipment. The EEG or the brain activity can be used in real time to control
external devices via a complete BCI system.

A typical BCI scheme generally consists of a data acquisition system, pre-processing

of the acquired signals, feature extraction process, classification of the features, post-
processing of the classifier output, and finally the control interface and device
controller. The post-processed output signals are translated into appropriate commands
so as to control output devices, with several applications such as robotic arms, video
games, wheelchair etc.
 Introduction
For generations, humans have fantasized about the ability to communicate and interact
with machines through thought alone or to create devices that can peer into person’s
mind and thoughts. These ideas have captured the imagination of humankind in the
form of ancient myths and modern science fiction stories. However, it is only recently
that advances in cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging technologies have started to
provide us with the ability to interface directly with the human brain. This ability is
made possible through the use of sensors that can monitor some of the physical
processes that occur within the brain that correspond with certain forms of thought.

Fig.1 Introduction to BCI

Primarily driven by growing societal recognition for the needs of people with physical
disabilities, researchers have used these technologies to build brain computer interfaces
(BCIs), communication systems that do not depend on the brain’s normal output
pathways of peripheral nerves and muscles.
 1. BCI (Brain computer interface)
Brain computer interface is the technology to interact with human brain to the computer
or any communicating device.”

The impact of this BCI is extremely high, especially to those who suffer from
devastating neuromuscular injuries and neurodegenerative diseases such as
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which eventually strips individuals of voluntary muscular
activity while leaving cognitive function intact.

History

The history of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) starts with Hans Berger's discovery
of the electrical activity of the human brain and the development of
electroencephalography (EEG). In 1924 Berger was the first to record human brain
activity by means of EEG. Berger was able to identify oscillatory activity in the brain
by analyzing EEG traces. One wave he identified was the alpha wave (8–13 Hz), also
known as Berger's wave.

Berger's first recording device was very rudimentary. He inserted silver wires under the
scalps of his patients. These were later replaced by silver foils attached to the patients'
head by rubber bandages. Berger connected these sensors to a Lippmann capillary
electrometer, with disappointing results. More sophisticated measuring devices, such
as the Siemens double-coil recording galvanometer, which displayed electric voltages
as small as one ten thousandth of a volt, led to success.

Berger analyzed the interrelation of alternations in his EEG wave diagrams with brain
diseases. EEGs permitted completely new possibilities for the research of human brain
activities

Research on BCIs began in the 1970s at the University of California Los Angeles
(UCLA) under a grant from the National Science Foundation, followed by a contract
from DARPA.. The papers published after this research also mark the first appearance
of the expression brain–computer interface in scientific literature.
 2. Brain Imaging Technologies

There are two general classes of brain imaging technologies:

i) Invasive

ii) Non-Invasive

Invasive:

Invasive Brain Computer Interfaces Invasive Brain Computer Interface devices are
those implanted directly into the brain and have the highest quality signals. These
devices are used to provide functionality to paralyzed people. Invasive BCIs are also
used to restore vision by connecting the brain with external cameras and to restore the
use of limbs by using brain controlled robotic arms and legs. As they rest in the grey
matter, invasive devices produce the highest quality signals of BCI devices but are
prone to scar-tissue build-up, causing the signal to become weaker or even lost as the
body reacts to a foreign object in the brain.

Fig 2: Invasive BCI

We can achieve most accurate signal by using invasive BCI. But it is most risky Can
cause damage to brain, leaves brain exposed.
Non-Invasive:

Non-invasive technologies, which measure brain activity using external sensors. There
have also been experiments in humans using non-invasive neuroimaging technologies
as interfaces. The substantial majority of published BCI work involves noninvasive
EEG-based BCIs. Noninvasive EEG-based technologies and interfaces have been used
for a much broader variety of applications. Although EEG-based interfaces are easy to
wear and do not require surgery, they have relatively poor spatial resolution and cannot
effectively use higher-frequency signals because the skull dampens signals, dispersing
and blurring the electromagnetic waves created by the neurons. EEG-based interfaces
also require some time and effort prior to each usage session, whereas non-EEG-based
ones, as well as invasive ones require no prior-usage training. Overall, the best BCI for
each user depends on numerous factors.

Fig 3: Non-Invasive BCI

Less accurate signals are achieved and less risky. The techniques used in this are:

*Electroencephalography (EEG)

*Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

*Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
 3. Electroencephalography
EEG measures electric brain activity caused by the flow of electric currents during
synaptic excitations of the dendrites in the neurons and is extremely sensitive to the
effects of secondary currents. EEG signals are easily recorded in a non-invasive manner
through electrodes placed on the scalp, for which that reason it is by far the most
widespread recording modality. However, it provides very poor quality signals as the
signals have to cross the scalp, skull, and many other layers. This means that EEG
signals in the electrodes are weak, hard to acquire and of poor quality. This technique
is moreover severely affected by background noise generated either inside the brain or
externally over the scalp.

The EEG recording system consists of electrodes, amplifiers, A/D converter, and a
recording device. The electrodes acquire the signal from the scalp, the amplifiers
process the analog signal to enlarge the amplitude of the EEG signals so that the A/D
converter can digitalize the signal in a more accurate way. Finally, the recording device,
which may be a personal computer or similar, stores, and displays the data.

Fig 4: Electroencephalography
The EEG signal is measured as the potential difference over time between signal or
active electrode and reference electrode. An extra third electrode, known as the ground
electrode, is used to measure the differential voltage between the active and the
reference points. The minimal configuration for EEG measurement therefore consists
of one active, one reference, and one ground electrode. Multi-channel configurations
can comprise up to 128 or 256 active electrodes. These electrodes are usually made of
silver chloride (AgCl). Electrode-scalp contact impedance should be between 1 kΩ and
10 kΩ to record an accurate signal. The electrode-tissue interface is not only resistive
but also capacitive and it therefore behaves as a low pass filter. The impedance depends
on several factors such as the interface layer, electrode surface area, and temperature.
EEG gel creates a conductive path between the skin and each electrode that reduces the
impedance. Use of the gel is cumbersome, however, as continued maintenance is
required to assure a relatively good quality signal. Electrodes that do not need to use of
gels, called ‘dry’ electrodes, have been made with other materials such as titanium and
stainless-steel. These kinds of electrodes may be ‘dry’ active electrodes, which have
pre-amplification circuits for dealing with very high electrode/skin interfacial
impedances, or ‘dry’ passive electrodes, which have no active circuits, but are linked
to EEG recording systems with ultra-high input impedance.

The amplitude of electrical bio-signals is in the order of microvolts. Consequently, the

signal is very sensitive to electronic noise. External sources such power-lines may
generate background noise and thermal, shot, flicker, and burst noises are generated by
internal sources. Design considerations should be addressed to reduce the effects of the
noise, such as electromagnetic interference shielding or reduction for common mode
signal, amongst others. EEG comprises a set of signals which may be classified
according to their frequency. Well-known frequency ranges have been defined
according to distribution over the scalp or biological significance. These frequency
bands are referred to as delta (δ), theta (θ), alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) from low
to high, respectively.
 4. Operation of BCI

The user performs a certain task, which has a distinct EEG signature, then the salient
features are extracted from the EEG after that a pattern classification system uses
these EEG features to determine which task the user performed. Now the BCI
presents feedback to the user, and forms a message or command.

Fig 5: Representation of BCI

For example, we see how a person can control a cursor on monitor. First a person
mentally visualizes the cursor reaching the target on the monitor display, then the brain
activity is interpreted by computer software. After that computer monitor displays the
interpreted thought activity. I.e. cursor moves towards the target.
 5. Applications
 Provide disabled people with communication, environment control, and
movement restoration.
 Provide enhanced control of devices such as wheelchairs, vehicles, or assistance
robots for people with disabilities.
 Provide additional channel of control in computer games.
 Monitor attention in long-distance drivers or aircraft pilots, send out alert and
warning for aircraft pilots.
 Develop intelligent relaxation devices.

Fig (a): Emotiv EPOC neuroheadset Fig (b): Neurosky Mindwave

Emotiv has already developed a numerous set of BCI-based games, such as Cortex
Arcade and Spirit Mountain Demo Game, among others. Furthermore, the company
sells a low cost BCI with 14 electrodes, the so-called EPOC neuroheadset which can be
bought accompanied by an Application Programming Interface (API). Thanks to this
API, the development of the BCI-based applications is made much simpler.

The company Neurosky also markets the Mindwave neuroheadset with software
applications that can respond to user brainwaves or mental states. Likewise, it provides
a set of software tools for developers. Also, large software companies such as Microsoft
have shown interest in BCI research, exploring the development of pilot novel
applications that use BCI.
 6. Conclusion
As BCI technology further advances, brain tissue may one day give way to
implanted silicon chips thereby creating a completely computerized simulation of the
human brain that can be augmented at well.

Several potential applications of BCI hold promise for rehabilitation and

improving performance, such as treating emotional disorders.

The latest advances in BCI research suggest that innovative developments may
be forthcoming in the near future. These achievements and the potential for new BCI
applications have obviously given a significant boost to BCI research involving
multidisciplinary scientists e.g. neuroscientists, engineers, mathematicians, and clinical
rehabilitation specialists, among others.

Interest in the BCI field is expected to increase and BCI design and development
will in all probability continue to bring benefits to the daily lives of disabled people.

References

Archinoetics Inc (2009) Brain Painting, from http://www.archinoetics.com/

Bayliss J, Ballard D (2000) A virtual reality testbed for brain-computer interface

research. IEEE Trans Rehabil Eng 8(2):188–190

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https://computer.howstuffworks.com/brain-computer-interface1.htm