Biopsychometric Signal Acquisition and Processing System

To meet the U.S. Navy requirement for a rugged and highly portable physiological data acquisition and processing platform for use in operational environments, we propose to integrate and enhance existing hardware and software technology we have been developing over the past five years. Our Biopsychometric Signal Acquisition and Processing System (BSAPS) will utilize state-of-the-art data acquisition hardware and will provide PC-based software control over recording characteristics. The system will provide up to 32 channels for collecting EEG and other physiological signals and an additional 16 channels for collecting stimulus and behavioral event data from training simulators or other devices, as well as high-level physiological signals such as respiration. A fast application electrode positioning system, analog preamplification with telemetry of the head, and user-programmable DSP filtering and analysis capabilities will be included in the design. The BSAPS will consist of a hat with active electrodes and telemetry, a paper-back book-sized amplifier/filter/digitizer box, and a laptop PC with DSP processor and large, ruggedized hard disk. The platform will allow for real-time EEG artifact detection and removal to minimize signal contaminants prior to data analysis. The result of this development would be a small, low-cost, flexible, user-friendly, physiological data acquisition and processing system for use in naturalistic work environments.