Quick Start

Neuro-1 Quick Start Guide

Everything you need to set up the Neuro-1 neurological data acquisition platform — from unboxing to recording data with up to 64 sensors per backpack.

Part 1 · Hardware Setup

Core hardware components

1

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Delivers stable power to the backpack module housing all sensor control electronics, with intelligent power management and system monitoring.

PSU front view
Fig. 1 · Front: 1 AC input 100–240 V + switch · 2 Status LEDs · 3 Monitor cable to DAQ · 4 Power cable to backpack
PSU back view
Fig. 2 · Back: shown for reference, no connections needed
2

Data Acquisition Module (DAQ)

The communication hub between your PC and the hardware — high-speed data transfer, system control, and real-time monitoring.

DAQ front view
Fig. 3 · Front: 1 LED w/ manual trigger · 2 Status LEDs · 3 Digital input BNCs · 4 Expansion port
DAQ back view
Fig. 4 · Back: 1 DC input 7–20 V · 2 Analog I/O · 3 Monitor 1 / Array 1 · 4 Ethernet to PC · 5 Monitor 2 / Array 2 · 6 Digital input
3

Backpack Module

Holds up to 8 modules (A–H), each hosting up to 8 cardmags — up to 64 sensors per backpack. Multiple backpacks synchronize to build larger arrays.

Backpack front view
Fig. 5 · Front: sensors and control electronics not yet connected
Backpack end view
Fig. 6 · End: 1 Power input from PSU · 2 Power switch · 3 Status LEDs · 4 Ethernet to DAQ · 5 Array sync
4

Sensors & Control Electronics

The precision measurement components that capture neurological data, and the module boards and cardmags that control them. Leave them boxed until the backpack assembly step below.

Full module with 8 cardmags
Fig. 7 · Full module: one module board with 8 cardmags · do not remove cardmags from module boards unless instructed by QuSpin
Sensors connected to a full module
Fig. 8 · Sensors connected to full module: leave boxed until the backpack assembly step

Each module contains 8 cardmags interfacing with 8 individual OPM sensors. Multiple modules combine in the backpack to create an array of up to 64 sensors; multiple backpacks extend this further.

System architecture

The PSU powers a backpack running up to 64 sensors. The DAQ manages communication between the PC and sensor electronics and lets multiple backpacks synchronize into larger arrays — reliable, scalable, research-grade acquisition.

Setup instructions

1

Backpack assembly

Important: before handling sensors or sensor control electronics (modules and cardmags), take basic ESD precautions — ground yourself to remove excess electrical charge and avoid damaging sensitive electronics.

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Assembly tips

  1. 1 Prepare work area: set the backpack on a stable surface with plenty of room.
  2. 2 ESD precautions: ground yourself before unpacking modules and sensors.
  3. 3 Unpack components: keep modules in their ESD-safe bags until ready to connect. Set sensors down on a flat surface or secure holder.
  4. 4 Install modules: one at a time, slide each into place on the backpack as shown in the video. Push on the base of the cardmag connectors—never on the cable connection at the front of the module.
  5. 5 Secure module: lock each module into place with the provided hex key and screw.
  6. 6 Cable management: route sensor cables into the cable routers for strain relief. Each router has 4 channels—push cables all the way down so the routers hold all 4 cables per side.
  7. 7 Optional — secure cables: zip-tie the cable routers on the inside walls to lock cables into their channels.
  8. 8 Assembly complete—continue with the DAQ, PSU, and backpack setup below.

Safety reminder: always power off the system before making or changing sensor connections. Improper connection while powered can damage sensitive electronics.

2

DAQ, PSU, and backpack setup

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Network settings

The DAQ’s default IP address is 192.168.0.10. Set a static IP address on the PC’s ethernet port (or the ethernet‑to‑USB adapter) connected to the DAQ: any address from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254 other than 192.168.0.10, with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. The Control Center cannot connect to the DAQ until this is set.

Part 2 · Software Setup

Neuro-1 Control Center

The Neuro-1 Control Center is the system’s desktop application — one program for the whole workflow. It controls the sensors, records data in the FIF format, and provides data viewing, with the co-registration steps built in: HALO and HPI Pen localization, frame alignment, and applying the results to a measurement.

Download Control Center 1.79 Installer · Windows x64 · 138 MB · SHA-256 checksum

Software walkthroughs

Each stage of the workflow, from powering on the system to viewing data.

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Part 3 · Running Sensors

Run the sensors

  1. 1 Power on the system.
  2. 2 Reconfigure Array (first run only): assigns correct channel numbers to the cardmags automatically. Found in the Settings menu at the top of the Control Center software.
  3. 3 Learn the Control Center basics: setting the active state, deactivating sensors, reading status information. Use the Tutorial Mode button at the top of the Control Center software to learn the interface.
  4. 4 Auto Start: press Auto Start; wait for the “Laser Locked” LED to turn green and “Cell Temp Err” to stabilize.
  5. 5 Field Zero: nulls the background field. V10 cardmags can leave Field Zero on continuously; earlier cardmags must turn Field Zero off before calibration and recording.Cardmag versions: verify your cardmag version before proceeding, so field zeroing is handled correctly for your hardware.
  6. 6 Ortho & Calibrate: once stable, press to measure and apply calibration values to the sensor data.
  7. 7 Ready to record.
Best practices

Let sensors stabilize 2–3 minutes after initialization before critical measurements. Monitor status LEDs to confirm all sensors are operating correctly.

Coming soon: troubleshooting guide, saving data, noise floor viewing, firmware updates, HALO usage, and more N1 guides.

Developers

API

The N1 system exchanges data over TCP/IP. The DAQ acts as the server (default IP address 192.168.0.10), allowing multiple client connections to read sensor, status, and system data, and to send commands.

Port Purpose
Port 8089 Reading sensor data
Port 8090 Reading sensor status data
Port 8091 Reading system status data
Port 8092 Sending command data to control the system
API Documentation v1.7 (PDF) Current version · updated August 21, 2026 Python GUI Example Current example · updated January 8, 2025

Previous API versions: v1.6 · v1.3 · v1.2  Previous Python examples: Jul 2024 · Jan 2024

Reference

DAQ reference

Front panel LED codes

LED pattern Status LED Array 1 LED Array 2 LED
Solid OFFDAQ not runningNot connectedNot connected
Solid ONDAQ running, connected to PCConnectedConnected
Blink 1×, pauseDAQ running, not connected to PCClock error 1Clock error 1
Blink 2×, pauseUnusedClock error 2Clock error 2
Blink 3×, pauseUnusedClock error 3Clock error 3

DAQ hardware

Front panel
DAQ with expansion board
DAQ with expansion board
DAQ expansion board
Expansion board

Saved data format

The Neuro-1 Control Center saves recordings in the standard FIF format (.fif files), which opens directly in MNE-Python with no conversion step. Each recording gets its own folder, and processed files (calibrated, HFC-corrected) are written alongside the raw file.

Field units
Tesla (T), 32-bit floating point
Sampling rate
375, 750, or 1,500 Hz, as selected for the session
Channels
224 with one sensor array, 416 with two (both arrays in one file)
Raw files
Field data and status metadata; no sensor positions
Calibrated files
Add sensor positions and orientations, calibration, and HALO coil and head points
Neuro-1 FIF Format Reference File names, channel layout, units, embedded metadata, processed files, and reading the files in MNE-Python

HALO

High-resolution Array LOcalization

HALO is a turn-key platform for quickly and accurately determining the location, orientation, and calibration data for arrays of QuSpin OPMs — a streamlined, user-friendly approach to sensor localization, the first step in co-registration for advanced bio-magnetic sensing.

Co-Registration Setup Guide — start here

QuSpin HALO platform
QuSpin HALO platform for high-resolution array localization