Cortical Neurodynamics Explored: The Signal Processing Challenges in BCI and B2B

Abstract

Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems are meant to provide a new, non-muscular channel of communication for conveying messages and commands to computers. Recordings of the electrical activity of the brain through electroencephalography (EEG) and related measurements is one of the possible ways for achieving non-muscular BCI by capturing brain activity in real-time, either in response to specific pre-determined stimuli or through self-paced outputs. EEG-based BCI systems require relatively simple and inexpensive equipment, should be portable and relatively easy to set up, and thus should function in most real-world environments. These requirements pose some very specific problems for the signal processing that is required to make sense of the cortical neurodynamics underlying the measurements. Furthermore, BCI technology could be extended to the realm of Brain-to-Brain (B2B) communication, i.e. two BCI’s end-to-end allowing two − way communication with the brain(s). B2B brings with it many other challenges, including physiological and ethical, over and above the signal processing challenges. This paper introduces the neural engineering field of BCI and B2B, highlights the challenges facing successful implementation of a real-world system and proposes areas of investigation in neural signal processing to address these issues.