Recommended setups for your experiments

Modified on Wed, 12 Aug at 3:28 PM

This article helps Enobio and Starstim users determine whether their experiment needs an internet connection and/or Lab Streaming Layer (LSL), and walks through the correct wired or wireless NIC2 connection setup for each case.

Materials / Devices / Software

Enobio device (any model)
Starstim device (any model except Home)
NIC2 software (latest version)
USB Wi-Fi Dongle (if your computer has no built-in Wi-Fi)
Ethernet cable (for setups requiring internet)
MatNIC Pro software (for BCI/HCI or tES-EEG closed-loop use with a wired connection)

Step-by-step guide

1. Update NIC2 to the latest version

Before connecting your device, install the most recent version of NIC2 for the most stable connectivity.

https://www.neuroelectrics.com/resources/software

Significant connectivity improvements have been added since NIC2.1.
Download the latest version from the Neuroelectrics resources page.

2. Decide if you need internet and/or LSL

Determine your experiment's requirements before choosing a connection setup.

You need internet if, during the session, you (or the computer running NIC2) need to browse the web, check email, or use chat.
You need LSL (Lab Streaming Layer) if you want to stream EEG data to third-party software on the same or another computer, or to send/receive markers via third-party software.
If you're running BCI/HCI or tES-EEG closed-loop experiments with MatNIC Pro, use a wired USB connection instead of Wi-Fi, regardless of which setup you land on below — it's the most stable option for these applications.

3. Find your setup number

Match your two answers from the previous step to the table below.

No LSL, no internet → Setup 1
No LSL, internet needed → Setup 2
LSL needed, no internet → Setup 3
LSL needed, internet needed → Setup 4

4. Setup 1 — No internet, no LSL

Connect your device wirelessly and make sure LSL is disabled.

If your computer has built-in Wi-Fi, click "USE WI-FI DEVICES" in NIC2 to connect the device.
If your computer has no built-in Wi-Fi, plug in the provided USB Wi-Fi Dongle first, then click "USE WI-FI DEVICES."
In Protocol Settings, confirm LSL is disabled.

5. Setup 2 — Internet needed, no LSL

Connect your device wirelessly and connect the computer to the internet separately.

Click "USE WI-FI DEVICES" in NIC2 to connect the device via the computer's Wi-Fi.
Connect the computer to the internet via an Ethernet cable — this gives the most stable Wi-Fi connection to the device.
If Ethernet isn't available, connect the device by wired USB instead, and use the computer's Wi-Fi for internet.
If you need both a wireless device connection and internet, and Ethernet isn't possible, connect to the internet using the provided USB Wi-Fi Dongle — this is less stable than an Ethernet connection.
In Protocol Settings, confirm LSL is disabled.

6. Setup 3 — LSL needed, no internet

Connect your device — wired or wireless — and enable LSL in Protocol Settings.

Click "USE WI-FI DEVICES" in NIC2 to connect wirelessly, or connect via wired USB.
In Protocol Settings, enable LSL.

7. Setup 4 — LSL and internet needed

Connect your device wirelessly and connect the computer to the internet separately, with LSL enabled.

Click "USE WI-FI DEVICES" in NIC2 to connect the device via the computer's Wi-Fi.
Connect the computer to the internet via an Ethernet cable — this gives the most stable Wi-Fi connection to the device.
If Ethernet isn't available, connect the device by wired USB instead, and use the computer's Wi-Fi for internet.
If you need both a wireless device connection and internet, and Ethernet isn't possible, connect to the internet using the provided USB Wi-Fi Dongle — this is less stable than an Ethernet connection.
In Protocol Settings, enable LSL.

8. Confirm the connection is working

NIC2 doesn't display an explicit connection-confirmation message, so verify functionally instead.

Run an impedance check or start your protocol — a stable signal on all channels confirms the device connection is working.
If you enabled LSL, confirm the stream appears in your receiving software's source list.
If you need internet, confirm you can browse the web or send email from the same computer.
If any check fails, re-verify the Wi-Fi/USB connection and Protocol Settings, or try the alternate internet method (Ethernet vs. USB Wi-Fi Dongle) from the setup above.