OpenSignals supports the open-source Lab Streaming Layer (LSL) streaming option to stream sensor data to third-party software during signal acquisition.
In this article, you can find out how to activate the streaming feature and links to further resources. The streaming feature is available through our OpenSignals software and all our BITalino educational and biosignalsplux research kits and sensors.
What is LSL?
As stated on the official LSL website:
LSL is an open-source networked middleware ecosystem to stream, receive, synchronize, and record neural, physiological, and behavioral data streams acquired from diverse sensor hardware.
It reduces complexity and barriers to entry for researchers, sensor manufacturers, and users through a simple, interoperable, standardized API to connect data consumers to data producers while abstracting obstacles such as platform differences, stream discovery, synchronization and fault-tolerance.
Using OpenSignals, this feature offers the convenience of setting up your devices and controlling your signal acquisition using the OpenSignals interface while streaming the acquired sensor data during the acquisition via LSL to third-party software, for example, for processing the signals outside of OpenSignals.
In addition to this convenience, it requires no programming skills when connected to third-party software with LSL support and it is an easy-to-implement alternative to our developer tools when developing your own software.
OpenSignals only supports the stream of the acquired sensor data to third-party software but cannot accept data streams from third-party software.
How do I activate the LSL feature in OpenSignals?
Set-up your devices in OpenSignals and open the OpenSignals settings.
In the settings, click on the tab INTEGRATIONS and activate the checkbox next to the Lab Streaming Layer option.
The LSL stream will start automatically with the start of the signal acquisition. To start the acquisition, click on the red record button in the main interface.
How can I receive the signal stream in my script?
We provide example scripts for Python and MATLAB on our OpenSignals GitHub repository.
We recommend referring to the official Lab Streaming Layer GitHub repository for most up-to-date information about the LSL features, where you can also find general LSL sample scripts for the following programming languages:
You can use the available OpenSignals examples in Python or MATLAB as a general guideline on how to set up your script in other programming languages to find and resolve OpenSignals through your device’s ID (MAC-Address) or the host name.
