A microcontroller-based wireless multichannel neural data transmission system

Chronically implantable microelectrode arrays enable multichannel electrophysiological recordings from the mammalian brains during behavioral experiments. Wireless data transmission systems combined with the microelectrode arrays and electrophysiology hardware allow the subjects to freely move during the neural recording sessions. In the present study, a microcontroller unit (MCU)-based wireless neural data transmission system is developed to collect data from behaving rats. The system achieves a data throughput up to 6.4 Mbps and enables recordings from 16 channel microelectrode arrays with a sampling rate of 25 KHz per channel. The present system offers a cost-effective and compact solution to perform multichannel in vivo electrophysiological recordings from behaving rats.