This article shows how to connect third-party analog sensors to your biosignalsplux hub to further extend your sensor setup using our Third-Party Sensor Adapter.
Getting Started
For this setup you need the following products:
- OpenSignals (r)evolution (desktop) software (Version 2023-10-02 or newer)
- 1x 4-channel or 8-channel biosignalsplux hub
- 1x (or more) biosignalsplux sensors of your choice
- 1x Third-Party Sensor Adapter for analog signals
- 1x analog third-party sensor of your choice with male RCA connector
Check your third-party sensor: Our third-party sensor adapter has a built-in protection mechanism, ensuring that incompatible analog signals may not damage your biosignalsplux. Check the adapter’s datasheet to ensure that your third-party sensor meets the technical specifications of the adapter.
Step 1: Setting up your hardware
Connect your biosignalsplux sensors to the numbered sensor ports (green) of your biosignalsplux system.
Connect your Third-Party Sensor Adapter to any of the available numbered sensor ports left (green) and connect the male RCA connector of your third-party sensor to the female RCA connector of your Third-Party Sensor Adapter.
Step 2: Setting up your acquisition in OpenSignals
Enter the OpenSignals device manager.
In the device manager, click on the device panel of your device to setup your device.
Your Third-Party Sensor Adapter should be identified as ANSA (ANalog Sensor Adapter) in channel you connected the adapter to (see here Channel 1).
Note that your device should be automatically configured with the sensor setup you connected previously to your biosignalsplux. Should this not be the case, click the refresh button to refresh the setup or use dropdown of your channel to select ANSA for your adapter.
Step 3: Acquiring your signals
Ensure that your sensors (biosignalsplux & third-party sensors) are ready for acquisition and enter the OpenSignals acquisition mode.
OpenSignals will now connect to your device, preparing it for acquisition. Once the recording has started, you should see your third-party sensor signal in OpenSignals along with your other biosignalsplux signals.
The following example shows a recording of a 20Hz sound wave recorded with the Third-Party Sensor Adapter and biosignalsplux in OpenSignals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many Third-Party Sensor Adapters can I connect to my biosignalsplux hub?
You can connect up to 4 Third-Party Sensor Adapters to 4-channel or 8-channel biosignalsplux hubs.
How can I test my Third-Party Sensor Adapter without using a third-party sensor?
You can use a 3.5mm jack to dual-RCA audio cable for an easy test setup using your biosignalsplux and Third-Party Sensor Adapter.
Connect the 3.5mm jack to your computer’s audio output and the RCA connector to the adapter.
Start the acquisition and run a single-frequency audio waveform (e.g. 200Hz) which should be visible in your signal recordings in OpenSignals. You can use https://onlinetonegenerator.com for this.
OpenSignals is cutting off parts of my third-party signal. What should I do?
Low-frequency signals can conflict with the plot refresh rate of the OpenSignals software.
However, your sensor signals are still being recorded correctly, and visualization artifacts should disappear when opening your signals again after the acquisition.
Can I use this accessory to receive trigger signals from third-party devices?
Yes, this is possible. Connect your adapter to the 8-channel hub’s accessory port and record an external trigger signal with the following characteristics:
- LOW: -2.5 V
- HIGH: +2.5 V
The input trigger signal from the external source will then be converted into a biosignalsplux compatible input signal.
I can’t find the ANSA option in the device manager. What should I do?
The Third-Party Sensor Adapter is compatible with OpenSignals version Public Build 2023-10-02 or newer.
Ensure that you have a compatible version of OpenSignals installed and, if not, downed and install a compatible version here.
Can I use the Third-Party Sensor Adapter with the PLUX APIs?
Yes, the Third-Party Sensor Adapter is compatible with the PLUX APIs. See also the adapter’s datasheet for further info on the signal transfer function.
