Enhance your mobile EEG measurements: STE compact and Mobility Set for LiveAmp are on their way!
by Dr. Michael Schubert
Head of Product Management (Brain Products)
Mobile brain research is a vibrant field in neuroscience with specific requirements for each individual experiment. No matter if you aim for a reliable setup in or outside of the lab, solutions for mobile EEG research must be as versatile as the questions that are being addressed. Our current solution, LiveAmp with Sensor and Trigger Extension (STE), is designed to always be a great fit for your next mobile EEG study:
‘There is room for improvement’ you think!? – We agree and here you go
Mobile EEG setup with LiveAmp, STE compact and Mobility Set.
STE compact and SpO2 Sensor
With our latest development, the STE compact (available in Q1 2025) we are keeping all proven features and even adding some, but in a more integrated way for better usability and an improved overall setup. E.g., previously required accessories like a power bank and a Wireless Trigger Receiver are now integrated in the STE compact, elevating the LiveAmp EEG amplifier into a fully grown research solution. Let’s look at the highlights:
Batteries
STE compact comes with internal, yet exchangeable standard AA batteries, which allow the STE compact to run for up to 10 hours. For short-term measurements and when every gram counts, the STE compact can even be powered by the connected LiveAmp, only. Running out of battery during the experiment? Exchange batteries while recording (“hot swapping”) and continue without interruption. For even longer and less-supervised measurements, the operation time can be extended via an additional power bank.
Triggers
No mobile EEG without an option to receive triggers wirelessly. For that we introduced the Wireless Trigger solution back in 2018 as an add-on to the STE. This feature offers reliable, low latency trigger transmission across 10 m distance and even supports hyperscanning setups in which multiple participants receive the same triggers from one central transmitter unit. Now, the Wireless Trigger receiver is built into the STE compact – ready to be paired with its transmitter counterpart. Of course, some setups require a wired connection which is also possible by means of a 9-pin D-Sub connector.
Sensors
In addition to all these new features, the STE compact still has room for six additional sensor inputs. These can be used for attaching a photo sensor for stimulus presentation timing from a display, a force sensor for heel strike detection, a respiration belt, or a GSR sensor to name just a few.
We are especially excited about introducing a new member of our sensor family: Welcome, the market leading SpO2 Sensor by Nonin Medical recording blood oxygenation, heart rate and pulse waves by means of the photoplethysmogram (PPG). The sensor connects to a dedicated digital sensor input making a total of 6+3 sensor signals that can be recorded with the STE compact – all sampled along with the EEG.
STE compact trigger inputs
STE compact with SpO2 Sensor by Nonin Medical
How about BrainVision Recorder compatibility? STE compact is fully supported by BrainVision Recorder from version 1.27.0001. The workspace setup auto-detects the connected STE and lets you make all necessary settings for the sensors and digital ports used in the experiment.
→ Important for some: Components like trigger modules are switched off to maximize operation time for every specific setup when deactivated. Get the latest BrainVision Recorder version and check the user manual for the latest changes.
LiveAmp Mobility Set
In mobile EEG applications the technical features and adaptability to the specific experiment take you only half the way. Equally important is a wearable system that allows for secure mounting of equipment, offers different configurations and is easy to fit to the participant for best comfort and freedom to move.
The recently introduced LiveAmp Mobility Set is already being used in and outside of labs around the globe. It is compatible with current equipment, but was designed with the STE compact already in mind.
The basis is a harness, which is well known from the world of action cams, but with a few modifications and add-ons. The harness is a one-size-fits-all solution with a stable mounting plate intended to be worn on or below chest level but can also be worn on the back. The set consists of three mounts which can be fixed to LiveAmp electrode adapters, power banks (if needed), other equipment or can be kept as spares.
For even greater flexibility, we also designed our own belt clip to position the equipment anywhere on the harness, regular belts or similar.
LiveAmp adapter without and with mount.
Going back to the STE compact: We have designed a custom battery lid with a mount for the LiveAmp Mobility Set already integrated, making them a perfect match.
Mobility Set for LiveAmp (from left to right):
Harness with mounting plate, mount (top) and belt clip (bottom), sample setup with LiveAmp and STE compact.
The LiveAmp Mobility set is out now and compatible with your current LiveAmp setup. The STE compact will be available in Q1 2025. Contact your local distributor for more information to enter the world of mobile EEG, either to extend or update your current setup.
Need some inspiration for your next mobile EEG study? Take a look at the numerous studies that have been carried out with LiveAmp. The story of mobile EEG continues, and we are proud and excited to contribute meaningful advancements for the community along the way.