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compujohnny · Joined: Feb 2, 2018 Posts: 21

Hi,

I want to ask about the proper data format to use in designs built for OpenBCI and ModEEG_P2 devices, is the values sent scalar or float?

Also if it's scalar and the design received it as float (and vice versa) will the values be wrong?

Thanks for your help

jarek · Joined: Oct 22, 2007 Posts: 1073

I recommend using Float elements. They are easier with respect to signal properties (they to not need to scale).

Yes, it is possible to convert between those two, for example by using ScalarToFloat. But make sure the scaling ratio is correct.

compujohnny · Joined: Feb 2, 2018 Posts: 21

Yes, but I am asking about the actual data format sent from the firmware of the devices, is it a scalar value? will reading it as float distort the data?

for example I frequently get a signed value like -125, now I know the values read vary from 0 micro volts to milli volts, where does the - come from? and am I missing a "bit" of the actual data to represent the sign?

jarek · Joined: Oct 22, 2007 Posts: 1073

Yes, data sent from the device is in integer format, which is closer to Scalar than Float. Conversion to Float will not distort it, unless you worry about rounding which could only affect the last bit of the integer values.

Data is usually a signed integer, which can be a positive or a negative value.